What a blistering start to life in the Welsh National League for LEX XI who slammed Llay Welfare 7-1 and they had their opponents on the canvass with less than 15 minutes gone as they opened up a 3-0 advantage. To add to Llay’s woes, experienced defender Matt Williams limped off with an ankle injury. LEX boss Dave Williams was ecstatic over the success with new signing Dale Hill looking really sharp and his contribution was rewarded with a hat-trick. Completing the debacle was Ray Jones with the best goal of the match, Matt Scott and a brace from Mike Lee including a second half penalty cemented the success. Hitting back with a lone consolation goal was Matt Davies.

Chirk AAA’s were exceptionally quick into their strides and they defeated neighbours FC Cefn 4-2 but in Cefn’s defence they were forced into fielding a depleted side. Chirk striker Andrew Swarbrick started the campaign where he finished off last season by firing Chirk to victory over their neighbours. Swarbrick opened the scoring after just 2 minutes when he sprinted past the Cefn defence to shoot past the bemused keeper. Cefn hit back immediately on the 10 minute mark when Leighton Edwards headed past his own keeper to draw Cefn level. Swarbrick put Chirk ahead again after 12 minutes when he blasted home from close range with the Cefn defence chasing shadows.

However Cefn were level again 3 minutes later when Adam Jones’s long range shot evaded Valentine in the Chirk goal and the ball slipped under his body and into the net. Swarbrick had a chance to score what would have been the fastest hat-trick ever to be witnessed at Holyhead Road when he was felled in the area on 18 minutes by the Cefn keeper but his spot-kick was well saved by the Cefn custodian. Chirk were not to be denied and Matty Evans fired Chirk ahead yet again when he struck a 20 yard free kick into the top corner to make the score 3-2. The game settled down into a more controlled affair and both teams played out the half with no further scoring. The second half started brightly and Valentine pulled off a great save from close range to keep Chirk in front just before Swarbrick again raced clear of the Cefn defence to score his third goal and Chirk’s fourth.

The Corwen versus Llangollen game failed to live up to its top billing and turned out to be somewhat of a damp squib. Corwen had two efforts disallowed but eventually got on target through James Davies with John Jones netting for the visitors.

The Gresford Athletic versus Brymbo game was played at a fast tempo and with only minutes on the clock Gresford were denied by the bar and the upright. Brymbo had an equal share of the possession and were always a danger with Richard Smullen and Simon Richards particularly threatening. It was a game with the chances created Gresford will be disappointed not to have won but their finishing technique clearly let them down.

Mold Alex were on the ropes early on at home to Johnstown and they trailed 3-0 with their visitors really hitting the ground running. Their marksmen were Chris Baddeley, James Taylor and Tom Smith but all that good work was undone as Mold gathered their composure and were able to salvage a point with strikes from Sam Roberts who scored with a bullet header, Simon Holloway who converted a penalty and Carl Butler who notched a hotly disputed leveler.

Venture were held to a 1-1 draw by Coedpoeth who took the lead through Nicky McCormack but Venture replied through Nicky Chesters to earn a share of the spoils.

In the remaining game, Overton conjured up a late winner through Eryl Cornes who scored with his first touch of the ball after coming on as sub. They shaded their even encounter with Hawarden Rangers 2-1 after Dave Lee had opened up their account.

Borras Park Albion were our sole representatives in the Welsh Cup and they were sharing six goals with Llanfyni after 90 minutes and extra time but in a penalty shoot out which ensued, Steve Jones netted a decisive spot-kick. For the record book then, capturing their remaining goals were Chris Brand, Matt Rowlands and Mark Baldwin.

Saltney Town picked up all three points in their Welsh National debut opening fixture but there was a real sense of nerves prior to the game not knowing what to expect from New Brighton Villa. They made the perfect start and with only seconds played, Shaun Hughes created a great chance for Owen Pierce but Villa keeper David Roberts was equal to it. The eventual break through came early in the second half when Pierce found debutant Will Dodd, who scored with a powerful long range effort.

Glyn Ceiriog were whitewashed in their own back yard by Buckley United whose marksmen were Dewi Moore(2), Paul Hughes, Dave Catherall, Chris Forshaw and sub Paul O’Brien.

Penley were beaten 2-1 at Llanuwchllyn and Acrefair had a dream Division One start, Adam Bradshaw converted a hat-trick as his side beat Hawkesbury 4-1. Kev Baker sealed the win.

Garden Village shared four goals and the points at Mold Juniors who were on target through John Parry and Richard Woolet.

In the Reserves Division, Airbus kicked off in blistering fashion and secured a 5-3 success at Penycae.

The top match saw Mike Pugh weigh in with a double salvo as Rhos Aelwyd beat Bala on home soil 3-2. Gwydion Jones and Alan Parry had netted for Bala but a third goal from Jamie Rogers proved decisive.

Coedpoeth United had a fantastic 2-0 win over a below par Cefn Druids, on target was the versatile Mykel Woolet with two stunning strikes.

Chirk Reserves started their campaign against Borras Park Reserves at Rhosnesni with a new look team and came away with a 1-0 win courtesy of a Chris Roberts strike on the hour mark.

Ian Jones provided Hawarden Rangers with a 1st minute lead against Ruthin Town who hit back to win quite convincingly 6-2. Elgan Hughes was their jewel on the crown converting a treble with Jordan MCarter, Tom Daulby and Tom Mackerill completing the haul after Michael Roscoe had reduced the arrears.

Corwen returned from Llangollen Town with a 4-1 win under their belt, doing the damage with a brace of goals was Eilir Edwards with Ryan Billington and Tom Hughes completing the spree. Reducing the deficit was Kristian Jones.

Ryan Griffiths broke the deadlock in the 18th minute with a fine solo goal on his debut for Gresford Reserves at Castell Alun. Wyn Jones struck a 25 yard free-kick into the Colts wall but blasted the ball home at the second attempt. Protecting a two goal cushion at the break, Joe Crawford bagged a third goal which was a real peach of a goal prior to James Ginbey hitting back moments later.

New Llay Reserves manager Matt Davies will be delighted that his side got off to a winning start at Stansty Park, veteran campaigner showed his colleagues the route to goal scoring two well executed efforts and a strike from Ian Thomas shaded the clash. LEX git back courtesy of two own goals.

Airbus UK started life in the Reserves and Colts league with a stunning 7-1 victory against Overton. Tom Bonney fired four goals, Tom Matthews struck twice with Tom Bodd cementing the success.

Acrefair’s Rob Hill was the days top marksman converting a five goal salvo and completing the debacle at home to Venture Reserves were Sean Williams and Matt Bride.

Saltney Reserves went down 3-1 at Garden Village whose marksmen were Gareth Rogers who converted a 30 yard free-kick and James Wedley.

Brymbo shared a 1-1 draw with Borras Park Albion, Matt Harrison had his effort wiped out by Dale Edwards.

Rhos Aelwyd Colts went down 3-1 at New Brighton whose marksmen were Tom Jones, Gary Birkett and Lee Cousins. Ifan Hughes salvaged some pride with a consolation goal.

Craig Roberts gave FC Cefn and early lead over Ruthin Town who went on to win 2-1.

Johnstown Youth were beaten by the odd goal in five against Penyffordd so goals by Lee Hanmer and Duane Jones did not count for much in the end. The visitors secured maximum points through Richard Lawrence, Jim Barnes and a last gasp penalty conversion by Gareth Lloyd.

Remone Nelson and Liam White(2) combined for Brickfield Rangers to secure a 3-3 draw with Penley.