FIRST half goals from Mike Pritchard and Matthew Eckersley were enough to earn all three points for Cefn Druids in Aberystwyth Town’s first north Wales foray of the season - and in truth the Seasiders could have few complaints about the 2-0 result after an unconvincing performance.

Aber manager Neville Powell’s plans were dealt two early blows when Luke Borrelli was unable to play through injury, and then John Owen also pulled up in the warm-up.

With striker Craig Hobson also nursing an injury, Town started with a new look front three of Cledan Davies, Geoff Kellaway and Joe Phillips, and early signs were encouraging as they enjoyed plenty of pressure.

Kellaway worked hard to earn himself a chance down the left, but his shot was saved by Michael Jones, whilst Declan Carroll again showed some super tricks on the edge of the area, but was tackled and Davies also sent a shot just wide of the target.

In an engrossing game, the Druids looked very dangerous breaking with pace, and centre back John McKenna denied Ashley Ruane with a superb tackle to keep the scoreline level.

Phillips was showing plenty of attacking guile down the right, but some excellent crosses came to naught, and the visitors were hit by a sucker punch when Aaron Simpson’s right wing cross found an unmarked Pritchard at the back stick, and his low volley gave Druids the lead.

The hosts grew in confidence with Pritchard having a shot blocked, Ruane sending an effort wide of the mark, before the same two players fired over the bar soon afterwards.

At the other end, Kellaway burst down the left but was again denied by Jones, and Davies headed Phillips’ excellent cross wide of the target.

Once Chris Mullock had saved Jordan Barrow’s low effort the half seemed done - but then in the depths of injury time Neil Ashton’s corner landed straight on the head of the unmarked Eckersley, and his header was deflected in off Declan Carroll, and Aberystwyth had a real mountain to climb at the half-time break.

The second half was a tamer affair with Aber looking for inspiration.

Davies’ ball in drew an acrobatic effort from Phillips, which went over the bar, Declan Walker sent a free kick over the bar and a series of free kicks came to nothing, thanks to some resolute home defending.

At the other end, Pritchard twice went close to extending the lead down the left side, Ruane saw a shot blocked and Fisnik Hajdari’s free kick was glanced wide for a corner.

Davies for Aber had one free kick blocked, before sending in an excellent cross from the right which just eluded sub Hobson, and it was clear that it wasn’t to be Aber’s night.

Wth the scoreline ending at 2-0 referee Nick Pratt’s final whistle confirmed Druids’ first win of the season, whilst the Seasiders will be keen to start turning pressure into goals.

They had a chance to do so on Tuesday evening in the Nathaniel MG League Cup when they visited Cymru Alliance neighbours Caersws in the first round at Recreation Ground.

CEFN DRUIDS: M Jones, M Eckersley, N Peate, A Ruane (A Piskorski 90), M Pritchard (I ap Gareth 87), J Davies, A Simpson (K Parle 70), F Hajdari, L Buckley, J Barrow, N Ashton. Subs not used: J Thompson, B Burrows.

ABERYSTWYTH: C Mullock, D Walker, J Spittle, R Wollacott, G Kellaway, M Melvin (J Rimmer 70), C Davies, A Young, D Carroll (C Hobson 56), J McKenna, J Phillips (J Culshaw 70). Subs not used: J Owen, H Horwood. Attendance: 303. Referee: Nick Pratt.