Tynewydd 2 - Penarth Town 1

THE 2016/17 Barry and Vale Men's Football season got underway this past Saturday with weather more akin to late November than mid-August.

Tynewydd FC were beginning their inaugural season in the top flight premier division having been promoted the previous season and faced a young, well-drilled Penarth Town.

Penarth started the better and were soon creating chances and controlling the majority of the possession with Jodie Shepherd making some crucial saves early doors. Tynewydd always looked dangerous on the counter attack and Chris Marchant was unlucky to see his header glance past the post.

Late in the half Penarth managed to sneak in front when a cross drifted to the back post to find an unmarked winger who's deflected shot went into the net to make it 0 - 1 at the break.

Tynewydd's promotion season was built on hard work and all round team commitment which is what they called on after the interval starting the half on the front foot and taking the game to the visitors.

At the midpoint of the half a Tynewydd corner was cleared close to the half-way line and picked up by Lewis Union who cut in from the touch line and unleashed a big strike into the top corner from all of 40 yards to make it one a piece.

Tynewydd built on the momentum the equaliser had brought them and within about five minutes had taken the lead and made it 2 - 1. A pinpoint pass from James Clissett found Lewis Union drifting in behind the Penarth back line who calmly finished around the on rushing 'keeper curling the ball into the net.

Having taken the lead that their second half performance warranted Tynewydd's experienced back four and 'keeper managed to repel the late pressure Penarth put on and Tynewydd saw the game out to take all three points.

Tynewydd know this will be a tough season but if they show the commitment and work ethic that they displayed in the second half and last season plus keep a solid squad together when players aren't away they know they can more than hold their own.

Man-of-the-match unsurprisingly went to Lewis Union for his two winning goals with notable mentions for both full backs Lyndon Peterson and Steven Eveleigh who both had solid games stepping into the back four.

Squad: J Shepherd, L Peterson, G Osborne, J Clissett (C), S Eveleigh, M McCarthy, A Colburn, G Tinsley, L Union, Ll Union, C Marchant, G Union