Tigers start new campaign in style with hard-fought victory

A NEW-LOOK Menai Bridge Tigers side started the campaign in perfect fashion with a hardfought 2-0 home victory over Llanystumdwy in the Gwynedd League.

Four players were in a Tigers shirt for the first time – Dean Redmond, Harry Jones, Shaun Lock and Kev Roberts – while five were returning to the club – Sion Hogan, Darren Gowans, Dave Clarke, Danny Camilleri and Ryan Owen.

Menai started at a very high tempo and twice in the first 15 minutes Hogan was inches away from scoring.

In the 16th minute a through ball by Dale Owens released Hogan, whose shot was saved, but he nodded back across goal and a diving header from Harry Jones made it 1-0.

Bridge continued to play the high pressing game and the back three of Tom Parry, Ryan Owen and Dafydd Healy had everything under control with keeper Clarke never troubled.

Healy and Owen were unlucky with two glancing headers that went just past the post before the break.

Llanystumdwy had come with a plan to stop Bridge from utilising the speed and strength of their attackers, and this worked well for the majority of the game as the visitors played very deep and defended well.

In the 65th minute, Bridge debutant Kevin Roberts came on for Callum Davidson to play a more holding role in front of the defence.

After 73, Dave Baston entered the action in place of Healy and Menai reverted to a back four.

Nine minutes from time a cross from the left was met by Baston, whose sweet touch made it 2-0.

Llan would have pulled one back late on but for a remarkable last-ditch tackle from Harry Jones.