Your First Football Recap Of The Season
The wall-to-wall sport continued this weekend as the closing moments of Paris 2024 coincided with the start of the football season.
All four of the Welsh clubs in the English Football League were in action so let’s take a look at those who shone and those who were still slumbering.
Bright Light
Wrexham started their ‘season of consolidation’ with a bang, in typical fashion, with a five-goal thriller at the STōK Cae Ras.
An early goal from Max Cleworth set them on their way as he flicked the ball into the back of Wycombe’s net from a corner.
20 minutes later and Wrexham were celebrating again, this time with an early goal of the season contender. If you haven’t seen it, then you should!
Elliot Lee’s ball forward was flicked deftly by Ollie Palmer off the heel of his boot in mid-air to the path of strike partner Jack Marriott, who took a touch on his chest before volleying the ball with the outside of his right foot into the far top corner.
Exquisite. Wrexham then did typical Wrexham things, giving the home fans the jitters as Wycombe were twice denied on the line before Richard Kone smashed the ball home for Wanderers in the second half.
That led to a nervy 20 minutes before Steven Fletcher picked up a rebound and caressed the ball into the top corner giving the home side the breathing space they needed.
There was still time for Wales international Sam Vokes to deliver a typically towering header from a corner for the visitors as the game finished 3-2 to Wrexham.
Other League One Highlights
There were other highlights for Welsh players in League One as Aaron Collins set up his side’s first goal with a chested lay-off for strike partner Dion Charles as his Bolton team won 1-2 at Leyton Orient.
Additionally, former Wales U-19 international Lloyd Jones volleyed home the winner for Charlton nine minutes from time as they took the points home from Wigan.
Championship Slumbers
Capital Woes
Into the Championship then and both of Wales’ South Wales sides suffered opening day defeats.
At the Cardiff City Stadium, the home side had more possession and shots than their opponents but fell to a 0-2 defeat to Sunderland.
After Black Cats goalkeeper Anthony Patterson made a smart save, Sunderland took the lead as captain Luke O’Nien nodded in from close range on 18 minutes.
Late on, and with Cardiff players appealing for a foul on Rubin Colwill, Sunderland broke forward and Jobe Bellingham found Jack Clarke who fired into the far corner to secure all three points.
Cardiff started with debuts for new signings Callum Chambers and Chris Willock, while Wilfried Kanga also came off the bench for his first competitive appearance in a Cardiff shirt.
On a more positive note, Aaron Ramsey played the full 90 minutes for the home side following an impressive pre-season.
Swansea Run Cold
Swansea on the other hand travelled to Middlesborough and fell to a 1-0 defeat due to an Emmanuel Latte Lath penalty.
Unsurprisingly, the Swans had more than 60% possession but failed to test opposition goalkeeper Seny Dieng.
New signings Lawrence Vigouroux, Gonçalo Franco and Eom Ji-sung all started for Swansea while striker Žan Vipotnik came off the bench for his debut.
Vigouroux had some shaky moments, particularly in the first half, while Eom went close with a freekick but ultimately it was a disappointing start to the season and manager Luke Williams was left frustrated and “upset” with the beginning of the game.
Other Championship Highlights
Elsewhere there was a positive start to life back in the Championship for the first time in a quarter of a century for Oxford United as they won 2-0.
Wales international Mark Harris was in typically tenacious form, forcing an error from Norwich captain Grant Hanley before squeezing the ball home for their opener.
There was also a first appearance for Will Vaulks who despite making the odd error was mostly composed helping his side to an opening day clean sheet.
Meanwhile the Welsh triumvirate of Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon and Daniel James at Leeds United enjoyed a 3-3 thriller with Portsmouth at Elland Road. James won his side a penalty in the opening 10 minutes which gave them the lead, but ultimately the home side had USA international Brenden Aaronson to thank for a 95th minute equaliser.
Newport Fall To Former Hero
Newport County’s start to life under Nelson Jardim looked to be the stuff of nightmares after 27 minutes. Two goals down at Cheltenham, against former manager Michael Flynn’s side.
Cheltenham were captained by Scot Bennett who left the Exiles this summer.
However, Newport entered half-time all square thanks to a penalty from Courtney Baker-Richardson for his first goal of his second spell at the club, along with a goal from new signing Oliver Greaves, who scored 24 goals in 48 appearances in the Southern League Northern Premier Division last term.
Newport looked to have secured a creditable come-from-behind draw only for Cardiff City loanee Joel Colwill to step up for the home side with a finish from a tight angle in the 96th minute to give Cheltenham all three points.
Colwill, brother of Wales international Rubin, had earlier given his new side the lead with a smartly taken volley on 22 minutes in a player of the match display.
Other Championship Highlights
Elsewhere and in Gillingham, former Wales international Jonny Williams came off the bench with an assist and a goal to help his side to an opening day 4-1 win.
While his assist was perhaps one for the stats book only, feeding Jack Nolan while still inside his own half, Williams’ goal was a brilliantly struck half volley from the edge of the box which arrowed into the bottom corner.
Cymru Premier
The weekend also saw the start of the Cymru Premier. It started with a bang for home side Newtown on Friday night as a brace from Jason Oswell helped them to a 4-1 win against Aberystwyth Town, despite the visitors grabbing the opening goal of the season.
Elsewhere, Cardiff Met University played the majority of the second half a man down, but the 10 men managed to grab a winner to win 1-2 at Flint Town United.
Barry Town and Bala shared a 1-1 draw thanks to a goal in each half, while Penybont opened their season with a 0-2 win at Briton Ferry.
Finally, Haverfordwest provided the surprise of the round with a 0-1 win at Connah’s Quay.
All odds for the remainder of the season on all Welsh sides can be found with betting site Dragon Bet.
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