LLANELLI TOWN: Hat-trick from former Reds man Johnson sinks Llanelli on opening night

Sam Johnson scored a hat-trick as Newport City stormed to a 4-1 victory over Llanelli Town at Stebonheath on the opening night of the Novira Cymru South season.

Both sides made a fast start as Johnson fired home into the bottom corner after a deflection fell kindly for him to give Newport the lead, but Llanelli were level just three minutes later through returning veteran Lee Bevan.

Johnson quickly restored the Newport lead in the 19th minute with a composed finish from Kian Bodenham’s low cross, before the forward completed his first-half hat-trick against his former club with a powerful strike across goal.

Youngster Eduardo Bregua capped off an emphatic performance from the visitors on the hour mark as he rounded Joe Massaro and tapped home.

It gave Robbie Willmott the perfect start to life as Newport City manager.

The former Newport County winger, who made more than 240 appearances across two spells at Rodney Parade, is in his first job in management.

He retired from playing in April after two seasons at Barry Town United, where he captained the side to a Nathaniel MG Cup final win over The New Saints.

Willmott took over from Sam Houldsworth, who stepped back after a decade in charge at Newport Stadium to become the club’s director of football, and has rebuilt the squad over the summer with a recruitment drive aimed at the best of the Gwent area and the Ardal South East.

On this evidence it has worked. Newport finished tenth last season and were widely tipped to push higher this time.

For Llanelli, it is a chastening way to begin a season that is already about repair work.

The Reds were relegated from the Novira Cymru Premier in May after a campaign to forget, winning just three league games all season, only twelve months after winning the Cymru South title.

Terry Boyle took on his first managerial role in 15 years when he replaced Lee John in the Stebonheath dugout in January, and the 67-year-old has stayed on with the aim of taking Llanelli back up at the first attempt.

The squad around him has changed almost beyond recognition, with Sean Cronin, Jamie Baker, Joe Hopkins, Joe Lloyd and Danny Williams among those to leave.

Popular full-back Miles John has returned after two years away, while 20-year-olds Calum Salter and Jack Cooper and 19-year-old Keane Whitmore arrive as prospects. All four started on Friday night.

Bevan’s equaliser, three minutes after falling behind, was the high point of a night that turned quickly once Johnson found his range.

The Friday night fixture was one of two that opened the season, with Baglan Dragons and the newly promoted Trethomas Bluebirds drawing 0-0.

Trethomas are next up at Stebonheath, with Llanelli looking for an instant response.

Llanelli’s coming weeks also include a trip to face the newly promoted Pure Swansea, who began their own return to the division with a 3-0 win at Llantwit Major and will host the Reds at Penybont while work continues at Swansea Bay Sports Park.

Sixteen clubs contest the Cymru South, the second tier of Welsh football, with the champions promoted to the Cymru Premier.

Last season both the title race and the promotion battle went to the final day. On Friday night’s evidence, there will be plenty more drama to come.

Llanelli Town AFC XI

Joe Massaro, Jack Cooper, Miles John, Jackson Hall, John Hall, Lee Bevan, Keiran Dawe, McCauley Power (c), Calum Salter, Keane Whitmore, Michael Morgan.