HAY ST MARYS 3, RHOSGOCH 0
Chris Preece led by example as Hay St Marys kicked off the Watson Associates Mid Wales League (South) campaign against their arch rivals on Tuesday night.
The inspirational Hay captain scored twice and had a hand in the third goal as his team, whom many pundits have tipped for the title, began on a winning note.
Rhosgoch, so often a thorn in Hay’s side, matched Fil Wisniewski’s team for much of the night before running out of steam in the closing stages.
The first half ended goalless, with Rhosgoch’s new keeper Ben Barrell pulling off one stunning point blank save to deny Rob Sneddon.
Hay went ahead ten minutes into the second period after Kevin Jones was put in on the right. His cross was punched clear by Barrell, but only as far as Hay captain Chris Preece, who smashed the ball in from sixteen yards.
Rhosgoch, for whom youngsters Josh Watson and Kieran McAteer did well on their debuts, rarely troubled Bryan Kirkham in the Hay goal and with ten minutes remaining it was game over as Preece powered in a header from Sneddon’s free-kick.
Sneddon completed the scoring following a one-two with Preece while the big plus for Rhosgoch and local football in general was the sight of Owain Lloyd on as a second half substitute following three years out with knee trouble.
GWERNYFED 6, SENNYBRIDGE 1
Gwernyfed are setting the early pace and followed up their seven goals on Saturday with another six in the Brecknock derby.
Mike Price had given Sennybridge an early lead but Gavin Perry levelled after Ryland Warren hit the post with an overhead kick.
Former Kington Town striker Brian Dyer headed Gwernyfed in front Perry’s corner and the hosts took control after the break.
Rob McNamara incr-eased the lead from a tight angle following another Perry corner and Liam Bannister got to the bye-line for Callum Bowen to make it four.
McNamara grabbed his second – that’s six in two games – from Perry’s cutback before Matthew Drew completed the tally after linking with McNamara.
LLANDRINDOD WELLS 4, KNIGHTON TOWN 1
Llandrindod Wells also made it two wins from two with a late rally on the Broadway.
Knighton, who started with a bare eleven, took a fourth minute lead through Oliver Richards, and they held on to it until 15 minutes from the end of a disappointing encounter.
Llandrindod secretary Derek Corfield said: “We were the better of two poor sides”.
Pete Horne finally made the breakthrough with the equaliser and that was the signal for Knighton to capitulate, with Darryll Williams scoring twice before John Foster completed the win.
NEWBRIDGE RES 1 BUILTH WELLS 4
Mike Lloyd was celebrating his first win as Builth Wells bounced back from Saturday’s heavy defeat to triumph at their local rivals.
It was Leigh Metcalf, who completed a transfer from Penybont at the weekend, who put Builth in front in the second half when he headed in from a Shane Claridge free-kick.
Tom Brown added a second when he flashed a 25-yard half-volley past keeper Sam Williams. An angled strike from Willie Lindesay all but made the points safe.
Ex-Rhayader Town striker Tom Jones extended the lead with his shot taking a deflection before Tom Rowlands gained a consolation for Newbridge from the penalty spot after Luke Boundford was brought down.
There was frustration for both Penybont sides in midweek as well as for Mid Wales League (South) officials.
Penybont Athletic’s visit to St Harmon was postponed with The Swifts pitch not yet ready while Penybont United travelled to Newcastle and played a friendly after the match referee failed to appear due to a road traffic accident.