DECLAN Walker’s sublime 15th minute strike ensured that Aberystwyth Town’s new-look side got their JD Welsh Premier League season off to the perfect start with a thoroughly deserved 1-0 win against Llandudno at Park Avenue.

Last season’s top scorer continued his fine form as he put his side ahead with an absolute rocket from 25 yards out, and an impressive defensive performance from the Seasiders maintained a clean sheet.

A serious injury saw local keeper Leigh Jenkins leave the field on a stretcher, but despite playing over 40 minutes with striker Rio Ahmadi in their goal, the home rearguard held firm, with impressive 16 year-old Lee Jenkins to the fore.

Aberaeron lad Jenkins, who played a pivotal role in the success of Bari Morgan’s Under-19’s double-winning squad last season, showed exactly why he has already represented Wales Schools’ U18s.

Aber’s fresh new side, with just four players from the Welsh Cup Final in the starting line-up, began on the front foot, with Walker the first to test visiting keeper Shaun Pearson with a long range effort.

Joe Phillips also cut inside from the right flank and fired a shot narrowly over, before Aber skipper Declan Walker made a deserved breakthrough on 15 minutes.

Joe Phillips laid the ball on to him 25 yards out, he shifted the ball to his right foot and fired a magnificent effort into the top corner of the net to make it 1-0.

Walker again found the net on 20 minutes, only for the referee to disallow the goal for an infringement on the keeper, and then on 25 minutes winger Ryan Edwards whizzed down the left flank before cutting inside and firing inches wide.

The hosts were utterly dominant, and Rio Ahmadi and Joe Phillips both saw efforts well saved by keeper Pearson, before Walker’s rebound rattled the crossbar.

Ahmadi then raced through, only to see his shot brilliantly saved on to the crossbar by the fingertips of Pearson, and the hosts had a slender lead at the break.

Aber started the second half in similar fashion, but disaster struck for ex-Penrhyn keeper Leigh Jenkins on 52 minutes.

Llandudno’s Toby Jones crossed for Mike Pearson, who was denied by a superb last ditch block by Steff Edwards, but Jenkins, who had performed admirably, was unfortunately caught by Pearson and suffered a bad injury to his right shin.

Ahmadi put on the gloves for what might have been a hard 40 minutes, but instead Aber dictated the tempo of the game and threatened the visitors’ goal.

Sub Nashawn Blake, another summer signing from Penrhyncoch, provided pace and power up front, and Llandudno began to opt for a more direct route to forwards Mark Connelly and John Owen.

Blake strode forward before unleashing a swerving effort just wide, and Matthew Jones’ goal bound header was blocked by full back Ieuan Hewitt as the Seasiders looked to press home their advantage.

Visitors Llandudno slowly began to crank up the pressure, however, with Danny Hughes volleying over, before former Seasider John Owen headed wide.

There were groans from Aber’s vocal supporters as the fourth official indicated a minimum of eight minutes of additional time, and the visitors piled forward.

Deep into injury time, Kai Edwards headed wide, and Mike Pearson’s bicycle kick was well saved by Ahmadi, but Aber held on to take a massive three points.

ABER: L Jenkins (N Blake 54’), W Baynes, S Edwards, R Wollacott, P Mendes, P Ahmadi, D Walker, R Edwards, L Jenkins, M Jones, J Phillips (J Rimmer 90’+8). Subs not used: G Kellaway, A Williams, E Assi, H Rowe.

LLANDUDNO: S Pearson, I Hewitt, K Edwards, M Pearson, Z Edwards, A Webb (A Fosu-Mensah 86’), M Williams (Z Edwards 71’), D Hughes, T Jones, J Owen, M Connolly (G Harry 71’). Subs not used: C Owen, R Roberts. Attendance: 284. Referee: David Morgan.