Menai Bridge Tigers made the perfect start to the new league season with a five-star performance away at Gwalchmai. Tigers' experience ultimately overcame a youthful Gwalchmai side in front of a strong local crowd.

Tigers enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the opening half hour, but without any clear cut chances. The deadlock was broken when Paul Rowlands charged down the left flank and floated a cross to the back post where Callum Davidson was waiting to nod in the first.

The lead was doubled 10 minutes later when a Gwalchmai clearance found its way to Callum Thomas; "Speedy" played the ball into the path of Dean Redmond, who drove a firm strike past goalkeeper Robbie Williams.

Tigers grabbed a third just before the interval, a long ball upfield from goalkeeper Calum Andrews found its way to Callum Davidson, who had acres of space beyond the Gwalchmai back line to slot home for his second of the evening.

Any hope the home side had of turning things around in the second half were dashed in a matter of minutes. Callum Thomas played a square ball to Dean Redmond, "Curls" hitting the back of the net with a left-footed strike from the edge of the area.

Two minutes later, Paul Rowlands fed Callum Davidson in the left channel, Davidson beat his man before lobbing the goalkeeper from the wing - many will insist it was a cross but the Tigers forward won't care, having completed a hat-trick and receiving the Man of the Match award.

Tigers took the opportunity in the last half hour to make substitutions to keep legs fresh and give players much-needed competitive game time ahead of the huge JD Welsh Cup tie against local rivals Bangor 1876 this Saturday (10th July).

“I was very pleased with our performance in our first game back,” said manager Aaron Rowlands.

“Happy to keep a clean sheet and pick up three points in our first outing. It was great to get the new additions finally out as well for their competitive debuts. It's still early days and there is plenty for us to improve on, but a solid start by the lads.”

Goals
Callum Davidson (3) - sponsored by Freckled Angel small plates restaurant
Dean Redmond (2) - sponsored by RJ Joinery

Assists
Paul Rowlands (2) - sponsored by Ashley Wood
Callum Thomas (2) - sponsored by JRW Pressure Washing Services
Calum Andrews - sponsored by Kathy & Brian's Caravan at Hafan Y Mor

Man of the Match
Callum Davidson - sponsored by Freckled Angel small plates restaurant