Neath and District Premier Division

Bryn Rovers 3 Ystradgynlais 2

Bryn opened their season with an unexpected win over last season’s treble winners at Cae Criced.

The home team gave league debuts to four players with Nicholas Spowart, Dylan Thomas, Kieran Griffiths and Dafydd Griffiths all making their first appearance for the club, though they were hampered by the last minute withdrawal of centre-half Mike Hodges.

Bryn made the most of the pace on the flanks and Julian Jones was unlucky with an effort late in the first half.

Carl Evans made the most of his height advantage for the visitors but was unable to find the net.

After a tight first half, the floodgates opened after the break.

Mark James fired the hosts ahead of his former club when the Ystrad defence gifted him a chance with a sloppy defensive pass and his shot left the Ystrad keeper Jeremy Bull no chance.

Jones then saw a shot cannon off the post when he could have teed-up James for an easy finish.

The introduction of Adam James for Ystrad proved crucial as he fired home from 25 yards within two minutes of his introduction.

Bryn reclaimed the lead after a typical surging run by Spowart ended with a lunge from the Ystrad centre-half. James drilled home the resulting penalty – but only after the visitors were reduced to ten men due to their over enthusiastic protests.

Andrew Miller dusted himself down after being felled by Nicholas Lacey on the edge of the Bryn box, and fired home the resultant spot-kick to ensure a nail-biting finale.

With Ystrad chasing the win and Bryn seemingly happy to secure the point, a quick counter saw the hosts’ Peter Windsor find Dafydd Griffiths, who teed-up Kieran Griffiths to head home and claim all three points.