Trefelin surge back to down Trethomas at the death in Cymru South opener

Cymru South promotion hopefuls Trefelin sealed opening day victory against Trethomas Bluebirds in the most dramatic of fashion.

Norton Ferreira gave the hosts an early lead before a solo strike from Tyler Brock just before the break brought the visitors level. 

Brock kept his composure late on to get his second of the game from the spot late into added time to seal all three points for the visitors. 

Despite finishing second last season, the Bluebirds were left reeling after manager Mark Dunford and a dozen players departed for Pontypridd United.

As a result, bookmaker Dragon Bet priced them at 20/1 for the title – the same as newly promoted Ynyshir Albions and Treowen Stars – suggesting a predicted finish between 13th and 15th. Trefelin, by contrast, were 5/2 to win the league, just behind favourites Cambrian United.

Brock the hero as Trefelin leave it late 

New manager Paul Evans named an 18-man squad featuring only two regulars from last season. One of the newcomers, Ferreira, signed from Ardal South East side, Canton, made an immediate impact, scoring after two minutes. He calmly rounded the keeper and slotted home in the third minute, capitalising on a defensive error by the opposition.

The game continued at its frantic pace with both sides moving the ball quickly in the aim of breaking the other down and securing an opening day three points. 

The young Bluebirds started strongly, with defender Ben Keen and energetic forward Ferreira proving there’s still plenty of quality in the side that finished runners-up last campaign.

Midfielder Lewys Ware came close for the visitors, sending a free header over the bar following a set-piece just minutes before the half-time whistle.

The home defence worked tirelessly to keep Trefelin’s talented forward Roan Piper quiet throughout the opening half, but it was Brock who brought the away side level in the 45^th minute. 

He broke down the left side before entering the area and slotting the ball between the legs of keeper Elliot Jones in goal. 

Andy Hill’s men nearly took the lead ten minutes into the second half as a quick breakaway saw Ware come close again with his first-time effort cleared off the line. 

Ferreira had the chance to be the hero late on as the ball broke to him in the area, but his strike was firmly pushed over by keeper Alex Pennock. 

With the game seemingly heading for a draw, a challenge from captain Travis James gifted the away side a chance at all three points with a late penalty. Brock made no mistake as he stepped up and calmly sent Jones the wrong way to seal the victory. 

Trethomas Bluebirds

Elliot Jones (GK), Travis James (C), Dylan Salmoni, Ben Keen, Dylan Dinham, Alex Newman-Jones (Benjamin Taylor 83’), Joseph Shephard, Joshua Williams (Dylan Meek 75’), Kallum Thomas, Norton Ferreira, Jay Thomas

Goals: Norton Ferreira 3’ 

Trefelin BGC

Alex Pennock (GK), Morgan Thomas, Declan Evans, Shaun MacDonald, Joseph Jones, Lewys Ware, Jordan Davies (C), Tyler Brock, Kostya Georgievsky (Dylan Edwards 87’) , Callum Saunders (Cian Williams 75’), Roan Piper (Jasper Jones 60’)

Goals: Tyler Brock 45’ 90+8