CRAIG Whitfield marked his arrival on loan from TNS with the opening day winner at Haverfordwest County.
The 20-year-old marked his debut with the decisive goal on the hour after Craig Hutchinson had regained possession in midfield with Paul Keddle swinging over a left wing cross for Whitfield to head home.
New manager Andy Cale handed debuts to eight new players with Whitfield joined in a newlook Newtown side by fellow youngster Sean Jones who has followed him on loan from The New Saints.
Newtown’s defence was dominant throughout the match with Gavin Cadwallader taking the responsibility to lead from the back while Dylan Blain revelled upon his return to New Bridge Meadow.
County had plenty of possession and played attractive football but were stifled by the meaner Newtown defence which limited the Bluebirds to a handful of half chances in the first-half.
Newtown were also unable to find the breakthrough in the first-half with Adam Worton’s pace causing problems only for home goalkeeper Lee Idzi to stand tall with an assured display.
County started the second-half on top with summer signing Neil Thomas starting to pull the strings before the home side were left stunned.
Keddle was released on the left by Hutchinson to deliver a near post cross for Whitfield who stole in to glance a fine header past Idzi.
County were jolted into action with manager Derek Brazil’s introduction of Steffan Williams and Lee Hudgell with 20 minutes remaining saw them mount pressure on the visitors goal.
Jack Christopher lobbed over the bar while summer signing Danny Thomas failed to connect with a tempting cross from Kyle Graves
With time running out goalkeeper Dave Roberts completed a superb block to push away Hudgell’s volley and moments later desperately gathered another Hudgell cross from under the bar.