Blaenavon Blues - 3
Liswerry AFC - 2
Blaenavon Blues finally got their season up and running with a fine 3-2 home win against previously unbeaten Lliswerry AFC on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues who were again playing on their temporary home of the Recreation ground, started with an intensity and vigour that has been lacking in the previous two games.
And the Blues were rewarded for their good start when the away keeper with the ball in his hands kicked out at a Blues attacker, the referee pointed to the penalty spot but failed to dismiss the keeper for his petulance.
Blues vice captain Darren Harris stepped up and fired home the spot kick. The Blues soon doubled their lead when some good football from the back through the midfield created some space for Grant 'Vinney' Evans to lobed the stranded keeper with a superb finish.
Within 15 minutes the Blues were three goals to the good when Brad Jones headed home from a great cross by Craig Tanner. Lliswerry got a goal back just before half time when a free kick was well placed in the top corner of the Blues net. The Newport side were unlucky not to have got a second before half time but Harris made a superb goal line tackle.
Lliswerry to their credit dominated possession for most of the second half, but found the Blues a tough nut to crack.
On the few occasions they broke through, Jonathon White in the Blues goal made a number of great saves to keep his side in front.
Lliswerry did get one back with twenty minutes remaining and piled the pressure on for the remainder of the game, but the Blues held firm and deservedly took all three points and with it a great confidence booster after two heavy defeats on the trot.
Man of the match for the Blues was Grant 'Vinney' Evans for an outstanding display up front. Brad Jones again worked himself into the ground playing along side Evans upfront and Craig Tanner again produced another great display at left full back.
On Saturday the Blues travel to Eugene Cross park to face RTB Ebbw Vale in the first round of the County Motors challenge cup.
Govilon AFC - 8
Cwmffrwdoer Sports AFC - 2
GOVILON'S midweek match survived a last minute pitch inspection following an afternoon of heavy rain and referee Fewings was fully vindicated in allowing the match to go ahead as the game produced plenty of entertaining football and a feast of goals for the homeside.
Dean Morgan's fierce drive tested Ben Smith in Cwmffrwdoer's goal early on with the keeper managing to hold the ball at the second attempt, but it was Cwmffrwdoer who struck first, catching Govilon on the break and firing past debutant Govilon goalkeeper Sam Morris. Govilon's equaliser came after 15 minutes when Laurent's deflected shot deceived Smith, but Cwmffrwdoer hit back immediately, regaining the lead by way of the penalty spot.
Laurent got Govilon back into the game as the half hour approached, coolly slotting home after being set up by Dean Morgan. Laurent was inches from scoring moments later but was denied by Smith who pushed his effort away, however Craig Norman soared to head home form the resultant corner as Govilon had the lead for the first time.
At the other end Sam Morris made a superb save to deny Cwmffrwdoer and preserve Govilon's lead.
After this Govilon hit Cwmffrwdoer with two goals in two minutes, firstly through Dean Morgan who benefitted from Craig Thomas' storming left wing run, and then when Morgan found himself free just inside his own half he carried the ball to the edge of the area before beating Smith with a low hard shot into the corner of the net.
Ten minutes into the second half Govilon struck again when midfield battler Craig Norman won the ball and sent Morgan on his way to cross for Leon Gilchrist to net.
Morgan got another when Smith found his shot too strong to stop, and the final goal of the game was scored by Andy Spiers who got his head onto a corner to power the ball into the net.