MATTHEW Bishop’s youthful Aberystwyth Town squad made a very encouraging start to their pre-season as they notched a satisfying 2-1 victory over last season’s Cymru Alliance champions Caernarfon Town at the Oval on Saturday.

Their confident team performance was as important as the result, in what was a positive start to the new reign of Bishop and assistant manager Wayne Jones.

Five of Aber’s new signings went straight into the starting line-up, along with four players from last season, one trialist and Aberystwyth Academy goalkeeper, 16 year-old Olly Fairbrother.

A well-drilled Aber settled quickly into a nice shape off the ball, and showed penetration when on it to create a number of very promising first half openings.

Debutant Luke Borelli, the former Haverfordwest striker, earned a free kick and his goalbound effort was palmed over by home goalkeeper Carl Jones.

Another player making his first start for the Seasiders, Will Bell, then hit the goal post with his header following a corner.

Michael Johnston’s glancing header was saved by Fairbrother, but back came Aber again, with Jonathan Evans lofting an effort just wide of the goal, following a long clearance, and then hitting the crossbar with a second effort just seconds later.

At the other end, Toby Jones was inches away from putting his side ahead when he narrowly failed to get his head to a well-weighted delivery from Gareth Edwards, the ball skidding off the wet surface and into the hands of the keeper.

Edwards was involved again when he rose well at the far post to get his head to a corner, only for the ball to go past striker Jamie Breese inside the six yard area.

Back came Aber, and ex-Port Talbot player Joe Clarke then did well to release the lively Evans once again, but this time keeper Jones caught his attempted lob.

Evans, who was Penrhynoch’s top scorer last season, again went close to breaking the deadlock, as did former Haverfordwest star Sam Rodon with a header, before Geoff Kellaway also went close.

After 25 imperious minutes, the visitors finally got the goal they deserved when the impressive Joe Clarke slid a ball through for trialist Carl Lamb to find the bottom corner of the Caernarfon net.

Luke Sherbon then cleared Jamie Breese’s effort off the line to retain the lead, and with Ricky Watts, Sam Rodon and Cledan Davies ably assisting Bell at the back, they kept the hosts at bay.

Darren Thomas, who had a spell at Aber last season, proved a handful for the visiting backline, but Aber were on top, and Borelli saw another shot deflected away, before the Seasiders scored a second goal.

Two minutes before the break Jonathan Evans’ corner eventually fell nicely for Bell to drill home an instinctive low shot into the bottom corner, to give Aber a two-goal lead that their strong, authoritative performance thoroughly merited.

With four changes for Aber at half time, and three more on the hour, the second half was perhaps as much about match fitness for both sides, but the Cofis did grab a goal back a minute after the restart.

Former Llanidloes Town striker Breese latched onto a Nathan Craig ball and skipped around the keeper to slot home.

From that point on, the Seasiders did well to control the game and keep possession, without creating a glut of chances.

New signing Greg Walters, another of the former Haverfordwest quartet, looked good buzzing up and down the left, and then in centre midfield, and six more trialists also made claims for places.

Former Bala Town player Bell had a goalbound header cleared off the line by Nathan Craig, but at the other end young keeper Fairbrother did well to get his hand to an effort by Danny Brookwell.

Corrig McGonigle, Dylan Williams and Aaron Davies Thomas had chances for the hosts, but after a few strong defensive tackles, Aber’s young side had won the game with a commendable team performance, full of hunger and desire.