LLANGEFNI Town marked their JD Cymru North return with a superb 2-0 home victory over Gresford Athletic.
The Lock Stock Welsh Alliance Division One champions got off to the best possible start against a Gresford side that ousted Colwyn Bay from the Nathaniel MG Cup, and another stern test awaits Chris Roberts’ side this Friday when they make the trip to title hopefuls Rhyl (7.45pm).
A very impressive start from the home side saw them go ahead on 14 minutes when Matthew Jones steered a Jake Jones through ball into the net after good work in the build-up from Craig Roberts.
The home side spurned two good opportunities to double their advantage just before the interval through Jamie Roberts and Jones, who forced Athletic stopper Ben Jones into two sensational stops to keep his side in the contest.
After the break saw both sides enjoy good spells of possession without adding to the score early on, but Cefni did manage to increase their cushion at a crucial stage of the contest that proved to be decisive to the overall outcome.
Once again it was Jones who proved to be the difference between the two sides, taking full advantage of a defensive mix-up to convert his second of the opening day contest with 72 on the clock.
Credit to the visitors, they made things extremely difficult in the closing stages as they searched for a route back into the game, but Roberts’ side showed their resolve to see out the contest and secure a valuable three points.
Roberts, said: "It’s great to get off the mark and points on the board in our first game of the new season.
“The comments of "embarrassing and a disgrace" coming from the Gresford team on social media after the match just goes to show that they underestimated us and were expecting to easily beat a newly promoted side.
“I asked the lads before kick-off to go out and show everyone that we are not here to make up the numbers and that we want to make Talwrn Road a hard place for teams to visit and I believe the crowd can help us achieve this as they have done over the last few years.”
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