GOALS in each half ensured that last season’s Mid Wales League Cup winners Bow Street began their new campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Caersws.

The Magpies had their chances in a keenly-fought match at Cae Baker, but the visitors held firm to ensure they made a winning start, following their relegation from the Cymru Alliance.

A Phil Jones free kick opened the scoring for the Bluebirds early in the first half, and Elliot Jones doubled their lead from close range early in second half.

The win was a great start for the new management team of Mark Griffiths, David Jones and former Guilsfield stalwart Gareth Jones as they look to mastermind a push towards promotion.

“We know it will be a tough league, but we want to be challenging for the Mid Wales League title this season and getting this great club back to the Cymru Alliance,” said boss Griffiths.

Connor Bird ensured that Llanidloes Town got their MMP Mid Wales League division one campaign off to a winning start by scoring the only goal of the game at Churchstoke last weekend.

The striker, a summer arrival from Knighton Town, struck in the first half as the Daffs navigated a tricky game on a testing surface.

“As in pre-season, we had chances to have scored more goals, but it’s three points, which is the main thing,” said boss Hugh Clarke.

“Churchstoke battled hard, put bodies on the line and their keeper was outstanding, but we could have made life easier for ourselves. At 1-0, it’s a bit risky.

“The pitch was difficult, so we couldn’t overplay, and overall it wasn’t a bad display in the circumstances.”

The only goal came in the first half when Bird capitalised on hesitation from the keeper to slot home his first league goal for the Daffs.

Llani had chances, with Matthew Savage striking the bar and Josh Hartrick saw a cross deflected onto the woodwork, while sub Gregg Brown had a couple of opportunities late on.

Churchstoke, under new manager Andrew Green, were always in the hunt at 1-0 down, and had a good spell late on, but the visitors held firm to take the spoils.

Aberaeron went down 3-1 at Llandrindod Wells as goals from Robert Nicholls, Kieran McCarley and Ryan Sims secured the points.

Aberaeron, who have lost Chris Wilkins to Bont and Liam Jacques, Mike Gornall and Anthony Evans to Penparcau, replied though Steffan Gittins, who has joined from Aberystwyth U19s

Tywyn/Bryncrug overcame the loss of strikers Aled Jones and Mark Edmonson to Caersws and Ben Richards to Machynlleth, as they registered a 2-0 home win against Llansantffraid.

A solid opening performance earned them the spoils with goals from Nick Williams and Cullen Rodgers.

Llanfair United made light work of a young, inexperienced Knighton Town side as they romped to an emphatic 12-0 win, with Karl Seliaerts bagging six goals.

Josh Astley weighed in with a hat-trick, Andrew Hughes scored twice, and Gethin Stephens also netted.

Welshpool Town made a flying start to their new campaign as Ricky Litchfield and Will Thomas both scored twice in a 5-0 win over Carno, with Ian MaCleod also finding the net.

On Friday evening, two goals from Charlie Humphreys and singles from Harry Watkins, Joe Haycock and Richard Davies earned Berriew a 5-1 win over newly-promoted Builth Wells. Danny Ives netted the reply.

Radnor Valley beat Kerry 2-1 with goals by Callum Matthews and an own goal, Mark Hughes replying.