Venables stars as Newtown suffer opening day defeat to Penybont

NEWTOWN endured a nightmare start to the JD Cymru Premier season with defeat at home to a Chris Venables inspired Penybont on Saturday.

The veteran struck twice having broke the deadlock with a sweet 18th minute volley from Henry Jones' right wing cross and Newtown were left chasing the game.

The Robins had a chance to level 10 minutes later with a goalmouth scramble culminating in Jason Oswell finding room to fire goalward only to be denied by goalkeeper Alex Harris from close range.

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Newtown were left with a mountain to climb on 34 minutes when Venables turned inside after being picked out Mael Davies' right wing cross and lashed home despite four home defenders on the line.

It could have got even worse for the home side before the break with Kane Owen rattling the bar from the edge of the area as Newtown survived.

The home side began the second-half with much more purpose and were almost back in the game when a partially cleared right wing cross was met by Rob Evans on the edge of the area with Harris producing a stunning save.

However Evans conceded a bizarre own goal with 20 minutes remaining when his tame backpass crept under the feet of goalkeeper Andy Wycherley as the home side conceded an agonising third.

Newtown reduced the arrears with an 88th minute consolation as Zeli Ismael's right wing cross was glanced home by Oswell but it was scant consolation for the home side.

NEWTOWN: Wycherley, Sears, Sutton, Evans, Oswell, Robles, Ismael, Boakye (Torry 75), Cowans, M Jones, D Smith. Subs: Sharp, Mann, C Smith, Ussher, H Jones, Downs.

PENYBONT: Harris, Little, Owen, Evans (Kirkcough 75), Jefferies, Davies, Harling, Venables (D Griffiths 82), Jones (MacDonald 68), Borge, Reffell. Subs: Pennock, R Griffiths, Bregua.