Fury is first to score (From Free Press Series)

Fury is first to score

ABERGAVENY Thursdays' Ross Fury scored the first goal of the new Gwent Central League football season.

He slotted home in the sixth minute of his team's 5-1 victory away to Gilwern B in Division Two.

And the first week of action also saw the first hat-trick scored when Christian Phillips of Usk Town B netted three times in their 5-1 win over Sebastopol B.

Meanwhile, Blaenavon Blues' Marc Browning picked up an unwanted first when he was given his marching orders in the 70th minute of his team's clash with Clydach Wasps.

Setting the early pace in Division One are Govilon and Blaenavon Blues who both claimed a maximum six points from their first two games.

Govilon celebrated their return to the top division with a 3-2 away win against Goytre, followed by a 4-2 victory against Mardy.

Govilon's goals against Goytre came from Mark Ainscough (2) and Kevin Mogford. Goytre's replies were scored by Andy Walsh and Darren Haines.

The scorers against Mardy were Jamie Wilkins (2), James Powell and Kevin Mogford while Mardy hit back through Mike Sage and Aaron Davies.

Blaenavon Blues also got off to flier beating Tranch 4-2 away and then followed it up with a 2-1 away victory at Clydach Wasps.

Their scorers at Tranch were Jason White, Alun Scammel, Marc Browning and Craig Harris while Tranch scored through Mark Walker and sub Martin Page. At Clydach, Jeff Sterry and Ryan Keen netted while the home side's reply came from Nicky Brown five minutes from time.

Usk Town were last season's Division One runners-up and started off with a 1-1 draw against Lower New Inn. Sean Taylor gave them the lead but Tim Lane scored a second half penalty to tie the scores. Usk almost took the three points in the dying moments when Danial Bevan's effort hit the bar and another goalbound shot was cleared off the line.

Usk did collect maximum points from their second game, winning 3-2 away to Crickhowell to leave them in third place in the table.

For Crickhowell, Matthew Stevens grabbed a brace of goals while Usk's Danial Bevan also scored two, with Christian Phillips getting the third on his first team debut.

Clydach Wasps won their opening game away to Gilwern and District 5-2. Allan Elmore put Clydach ahead early on but the home side hit back with two goals by Graham Rees to lead at half-time.

However the Wasps took control in the second half thanks to goals from Elmore, Les Williams, Nicky Brown and Simon Tippings.

Panteg got their season off to a flier when they beat Pontypool Town 6-2. Panteg raced into a 4-0 lead and never looked back. Their goals came from Gary Stirling (2), Mark Taylor (2), Tony Dronfield and Chris Wilkins. Andrew Pollard and Jason Stokes replied for Pontypool Town who sit on the bottom of Division One after losing their second game against 2-5 against Tranch.

Elsewhere in Division One, Crickhowell collected the spoils away to Mardy when they edged a seven-goal thriller. Scorers for Crickhowell were Craig Bennett (2) and Owain Walter (2). Jonathan Davies (2) and Leighton Brown netted for Mardy.

Cwmffrwdoer got their season going with a 4-1 win over Langdon Cup holders Llanarth but they then slumped to a 5-3 defeat at Gilwern and District in their second game.

Cwmffrwdoer's scorers against Llanarth were Owain York, Ross Peake, Karl Hooper and David Greenhalgh. Llanarth replied through Jan Williams. Cwmffrwdoer's scorers against Gilwern were Peake (2) and Greenhalgh.

For Gilwern, Chris Davies moved from defence to attack with devastating effect, smashing home a hat-trick. Debutant Craig Corbett and Graham Rees scored the other goals.

Lower New Inn started with two draws - 1-1 at Usk and a 2-2 home draw against Goytre.

Goytre went ahead through Wayne Evans but Alun Willis equalised for the home side before Lower New Inn went ahead when Tim Lane scored from the penalty spot. Goytre salvaged a point, however, when Evans scored his second.