Penybont teach Briton Ferry harsh lesson as Zeli Ismail shines in Newtown fight back
NEWTOWN, WALES - 9 AUGUST 2024: Newtown's Zeli Ismael during the JD Cymru Premier fixture between Newtown and Aberystwyth Town at Latham Park, Newtown, Wales (Pic by Nik Mesney/FAW)
The 33rd edition of the JD Cymru Premier got underway this weekend as Penybont beat Briton Ferry to spoil their top league debut.
The fixture between The New Saints and Caernarfon was postponed due to Craig Harrison’s men preparing for their second leg European fixture on Tuesday night against FC Petrocub.
Here is a roundup of the opening weekends action.
Newtown open season with second-half fight back
Newtown opened the campaign with a 4-1 home victory against Aberystwyth Town on Friday night. The home side had to come from behind at half time to secure an opening day three points.
It looked like the sides would go in level at the break, but a quick counter from the away side saw David Evans with space in the area to fire home the opening goal of the season in first half added time.
The Robins came out of the blocks fast in the second half as they levelled the game from a corner with a Jason Oswell header in the 50th minute. Captain Callum Roberts gave them the lead in the 68th minute capitalising on a dropped ball by the Aberystwyth keeper.
Oswell got his second two minutes later after a great touch and cross from Zeli Ismael layed the ball on a plate for the forward to tap home. Ismael got his third assist of the game in the 77th minute as he played through TNS loanee Josh Lock for him to open his account for the club.
Barry United and Bala stalemate as Cardiff Met off to winning start
The sides couldn’t be separated at Jenner Park as Barry Town United and Bala Town began their campaign with a 1-1 draw.
A long range effort from Evan Press crashed off the crossbar as the home side had a strong start to proceedings. They had the ball in the net moments later as Kayne Mclaggon headed home but it was ruled out for offside.
Mclaggon was the creator as The Linnets got the opening goal in the 15th minute. He slid through Ollie Hubert who finished calmly to open his account for the season.
Louis Robles who returned to the club in the summer almost got a spectacular equaliser for the away side, but his long range free-kick rebounded off the crossbar to the relief of the hosts.
Osebi Abedaki was taken out in the box to give The Lakesiders an opportunity to level from the spot. George Newell made no mistake as he sent the keeper the wrong way, followed by boos from the home crowd who felt their side had been hard done by.
Both sides had great chances to regain the lead, but neither were able to find the clinical edge as the points were shared in South Wales.
Cardiff Met got their campaign off to a winning start coming from behind to earn a 2-1 win away to newly promoted Flint United.
Joshua Jones had given the home side an early lead with a well taken looping effort following a long ball that caught keeper Alex Lang scrambling.
The visitors didn’t trail for long as Dixon Kabongo’s first time strike from the edge of the area travelled through a box of bodies and into the bottom corner.
The Archers took the lead in the second half as the ball dropped to Sam Jones from a corner with him unleashing a powerful strike that whistled beyond the keeper. The strike was enough for them to take all three points back down South.
Penybont spoil Old Road party as Haverfordwest County edge out Connah’s Quay
It was the dream start to the season for Haverfordwest County as they picked up a narrow 1-0 win away to Connah’s Quay Nomads.
A second half penalty from summer signing Ben Ahmun was the difference as The Bluebirds gained the first three points of their season.
18-year old prospect Harri John was taken out in the area following some fast feet, giving Ahmun the opportunity to step up and score his first goal of the campaign.
Former Cardiff City forward James Crole showed his quality as he scored a brace in a 2-0 win for Penybont to spoil the Cymru Premier debut of Briton Ferry Llansawel.
Crole opened his account by bravely throwing himself towards a Clayton Green cross to head beyond Alex Pennock in the 42nd minute. He doubled their lead before the break with a well taken effort that clipped the post before crossing the line.
The result sees Rhys Griffiths’ side in second place after the opening weekend behind Newtown following their home win. Aberystwyth and Briton Ferry drop to the foot of the table on goal difference.
