Newtown 2 Caernarfon Town 0

NEWTOWN opened their account for the season with victory over new boys Caernarfon Town at Latham Park on Friday night.

The match was contested at a frantic pace throughout with the Robins breaking the deadlock through Joe Kenton just before the break before overcoming the dismissal of captain Craig Williams to settle the outcome through Neil Mitchell at the death.

Chances were at a premium during the opening spell with Ben Bailey twice blasting over from distance for the hosts.

However Newtown were indebted to goalkeeper Dave Jones on the half hour when Gareth Evans was released through the centre by Sion Bradley only to be denied by the home stopper.

Jones continued to best busy and forced to deny Cai Jones before the Robins were once again found wanting in midfield as Cai Jones released Bradley who rounded Dave Jones only to be denied by a goal preventing block from Williams.

Newtown weathered the storm and led when a misplaced headed clearance from Rhys Roberts fell for Ethan Jones who released Kenton to drill through the legs of goalkeeper Alex Ramsay.

Caernarfon came close to levelling before the break with Nathan Craig’s long range free-kick just dipping over the bar.

The Robins hit the ground running after the break with Ramsay clawing away Kenton’s cross before denying Ethan Jones and Sam Phillips.

Ramsay was grateful to the woodwork on the hour when Mitchell’s dipping left wing cross struck the upright as the Canaries survived.

Former Newtown striker Jamie Breese was introduced from the bench with 20 minutes remaining and immediately in the thick of the action, forcing Williams into a rare error and rash challenge which earned him his marching orders.

Caernarfon laid siege in the search of an equaliser but an organised home defence continued to hold firm while the outstanding Jones denied Bradley and Gareth Evans while the latter’s cross also shaved the bar.

However Newtown punished the Canaries at the death with Jake Cook releasing Alex Fletcher to break down the right and square for Mitchell to poke into an empty net and ensure the Robins a deserved victory.

NEWTOWN: D Jones, Williams, Mills-Evans, Bailey, Roberts, Denny, Phillips (Goodwin 73), Mitchell, E Jones (Cook 80), Fletcher, Kenton (Boundford 66). Subs: Harries, Perry, Evans

Att - 438