THURSDAY 30 AUGUST 2007 ko 19:15 hrs
Thunder Road Motorcycles South Wales Amateur Football League Division One
Venue: Rhiwddar Parish Road, Taffs Well
Referee: Mr Edward W Berry (Blackwood)
Taffs Well 0 YNYSDDU WELFARE CRUSADERS 2

YWC started off their 2007/2008 campaign in fine style, with a well earned and deserved three points from the victory, 'under the lights' at Taffs Well.

Conditions at the sloping Rhiwddar pitch were excellent - playing surface in lush condition, a warmish evening and little breeze.

Both teams endeavoured to play good football, and the game developed into an entertaining affair. breakthrough for YWC came after 15 minutes, when following a half-cleared corner, Gareth 'Nipper' Berry turned the ball back across the face of goal, and midfielder, Lloyd Stone, was quickest to react, to prod the ball home from eight yards, which the home keeper couldn’t keep out.

During the next twenty minutes, the home side had a few great one-on-one chances which were squandered or stopped with last-ditch tackles.

At the start of the second half, Taffs Well looked certain to score as one of their strikers hit a goal ward volley from point-blank range, only for 'keeper Andrew Prouse to pull off an absolutely outstanding save for a corner. It proved to be crucial, as, on the hour mark, following sustained attacking pressure and a succession of corners by the away side, Dai Berry put over an excellent cross, and Captain Tony Davies met it with a bullet-like header to power home the second goal.

Thereafter, chances for both sides were few, and the 'Welfare' generally controlled possession and comfortably saw the game out.

A great start for the lads, and the new management team of Clive Ash & Phil Williams. All that hard pre-season work and impressive friendlies performances are already starting to bear fruit.

Next up is a home game at the Welfare against nearest 'neighbours', Aber Valley YMCA.