HAWARDEN RANGERS RES 2
RUTHIN TOWN RES 6
THE late managerial shake-up didn’t have an adverse effect as Ruthin Town Reserves began the new Wrexham Area League in fine fashion.
With new reserve team boss Tryfan Prosser being moved to a first team assistant’s role, Ryan Harden has taken the reserve reigns and he could not have wished for a much better first result.
Ruthin got off to the worst possible start, though, as almost straight from the kick-off a defensive mix-up allowed Hawarden to take the lead.
The visitors recovered from the early setback and after a series of near misses, Jordan MacCarter put them back on level terms.
A few minutes later it was 2-1 when Elgan Hughes finished off a good team move.
Ruthin were firmly in control and two further goals arrived before half-time.
Tom Mackerel netted with a smart finish from a Mike Garner through ball and a long-range effort from Tom Daulby made it four.
Hawarden gave themselves a glimmer of hope with an early second-half goal, but Elgan Hughes killed them off by rounding off a fine individual performance with two further goals to complete his hat-trick.
For Ruthin Rob Lewis impressed at left back and 16-year-old David Finnie had a fine debut in an unfamiliar defensive role.
Elsewhere, defending champions Ruthin Colts opened the Reserves / Colts Division campaign in fine fashion.
Arwyn Jones’ charges recovered from conceding an early goal to defeat FC Cefn Reserves 2-1.
Meanwhile, it proved to be a dream start to the season for Llanuwchllyn at the weekend.
Playing host to Penley in Division One, Llan made a winning opening with a 2-1 scoreline.
Last season’s runners-up Bala Town began the Reserves’ Division season with a surprise 3-2 defeat at the hands of Rhos Aelwyd.
Mike Pugh’s double for the visitors proved to be crucial to the outcome as Rhos claimed the spoils.
Gwydion Jones and Alan Parry netted for Bala, but a third goal from Jamie Rogers proved decisive.