JD Welsh Premier League round-up as Caernarfon Town defeat Cefn Druids on return to top-flight
It was an exciting opening weekend of JD Welsh Premier League action on Matchday One, with Caernarfon Town defeating Cefn Druids following their nine-year exit from the top-flight on Sunday being the pick of the results.
There were also big statements from the Nomads and The New Saints on Sunday, as they cruised to victories over Llanelli Town and Barry Town United, respectively.
There were also wins for Cardiff Met, Bala Town, and Aberystwyth Town on Friday evening.
You can check out the full round-up from all of the JD Welsh Premier League action below…
Llanelli Town 0-7 Connah’s Quay Nomads
This was a return to the JD Welsh Premier League that the Reds will want to forget in a hurry as they were thrashed by the Nomads, who showed their clinical edge and ruthlessness in front of goal.
The visitors were 3-0 up in no time at all as goals from Micheal Wilde, Michael Bakare and Declan Poole enabled them to take a comfortable lead inside the first 25 minutes.
In a frantic eight minutes in the second half, Andy Morison’s side put the result beyond the hosts, with Ryan Wignall, Michael Parker, and winger Bakare adding his second of the game.
The Nomads put even more glitter to a quite scintillating performance at Stebonheath Park as Laurence Wilson added a ‘magnificent’ seventh in injury time to see them top the JD Welsh Premier League at the end of matchday one.
The New Saints 5-1 Barry Town United
Scott Ruscoe’s side showed no European hangover from Thursday night as they defeated Gavin Chesterfield’s side with a tremendous display at Park Hall.
Blaine Hudson took the lead for the hosts before Curtis Watkins equalised for Barry Town United. This saw the Saints moved to a completely different gear – and Chris Seargeant fired in a quick double to put the hosts in command before the break.
Experienced New Zealander striker Greg Draper bagged a brace in the second half to add some more gloss to a sensational New Saints performance as they showed why they are champions against the Linnets.
Caernarfon Town 1-0 Cefn Druids
The Canaries made the perfect start to their life back in the JD Welsh Premier League earlier today as they earned a shock victory over Cefn Druids.
The Druids participated in the UEFA Europa League preliminary rounds, but lost to an inspired Caernarfon Town side as Cai Jones gave them all three points at the Oval.
Bala Town 2-1 Carmarthen Town
One of the favorites for the JD Welsh Premier League made a superb start to their season as Bala Town defeated Carmarthen Town on Friday evening.
Henry Jones, who was formerly the young Welsh Premier League player of the season for Bangor City, showed unbelievable technical ability when he performed a rabona, which went viral on social media, as he put the ball on the plate for Steven Tames to head home in the first-half – the forward added his second in the second-half as he netted a brace for the Lakesiders.
Sean Hanbury scored late on for the visitors as Sean Hanbury scored, but it was too little, too late as Colin Caton’s side held on to claim all three points at Maes Tegid.
Aberystwyth Town 1-0 Llandudno
Seamus Heath saw his side defeat the Seasiders on the opening day of the season as they started in a positive fashion at Park Avenue and Declan Walker’s goal was the difference between the two sides as Iwan Williams’ side went home empty-handed.
Cardiff Met University 2-1 Newtown
Despite being surprise relegation favorites, the students started with a narrow victory over Newtown at Cyncoed Campus.
The Robins were arguably the better side but goals from Eliot Evans and Dan Spencer gave the Archers a half-time lead – Joe Kenton pulled one back, but they couldn’t find an elusive equaliser as the Students held on to claim a precious three points in their opening game at the Welsh Capital.
(Featured image: Matthew Lofthouse)
