DIVISION ONE

Blaenavon 5

RTB Ebbw Vale 0

BLAENAVON Blues made an impressive start to their Gwent County league campaign with a fine 5-0 victory over RTB Ebbw Vale on a wet and blustery Saturday afternoon.

The conditions were more like a January afternoon rather than mid-August, but this didn't stop the Blues from playing some attractive football, and make their visitors work hard for possession.

The Blues kept the ball for long periods a passing and moving and opening the RTB defence.

The Blues took the lead early in the first half when Darren Harris fired home a James Parfitt corner; the Blues soon doubled the lead when Mikey Waite fired home from inside the 18-yard box. The Blues went in to half time two up.

Within minutes of the second half re-start the Blues went three up, when some great inter play between Lee Wathen and Andrew Johnson down the left created space for Johnson to link up with Steve White who set up Harris for his second of the afternoon.

RTB to their credit never gave up and dug in until the last fifteen minutes, new legs were brought on for the Blues Leigh Carrick replaced captain White, while Grant 'Vinny' Evans came on for Parfitt.

The went 4-0 up when a long goal kick from the redundant Blues keeper Chris Jones was flicked on by Harris, Carrick took the gamble and finished with ease past the RTB keeper.

With only minutes remaining the Blues made it 5-0 when Darren Harris completed his hat trick.

A great team performance from the Blues who will take the confidence into Wednesday's game against Abertillery Bluebirds, kick off 6:15pm at the Co-op Field.

Clydach Wasps 1

Abertillery Blue. 2

Mardy 1

Coed Eva Athletic 5

DIVISION TWO

Malpas Gladiators 0

Govilon 4

GOVILON AFC carried their Division 3 form into Division 2 in their debutant season and returned from their trip to Newport with three points and a goal difference of +4, to lead the table after the first match of the season.

Richard McCarthy put them ahead on 25 minutes when he beat the advancing Malpas goalkeeper on the edge of the box and coolly slotted into an empty net.

Jamie Wilkins was unlucky not to double their lead moments later, narrowly heading over from a right wing corner.

Malpas were penalised for a foul just outside their box as half time approached and Robert Frost's well delivered free kick found the head of Rhys Whiteman whose headed flick gave Govilon a 2-0 half time lead.

Richard McCarthy almost doubled his tally shortly after the break when his well struck free kick was narrowly wide before Govilon increased their lead to 3-0 when Craig Norman's pass into the Malpas box was met by Jamie Wilkins who hammered home.

New signing Craig James replaced Matthew Prosser on the hour mark and when his surging run into the box was blocked he unselfishly set up Matthew Ham to fire in for a 4-0 lead.

Dean Morgan was unlucky in the space of two minutes when his goal bound swerving shot was brilliantly saved by the goalkeeper who then foiled him again saving another goal bound effort with an outstretched leg.

Craig James hit the post from Dean Morgan's corner late in the game.

On Saturday Govilon entertain another Newport based outfit in the form of Newport Corinthians with a kick off time of 3pm.

DIVISION THREE

Race 7

Crickhowell 0

Underwood 2

Aber Thursdays 0