The Costcutter Ceredigion Football League rolled into its centenary season on Tuesday (August 17), with division one reigning champions St Dogmaels springing a 5-2 win against visitors Cardigan Town.

A local derby opener would not be everyone’s idea of easing into a long campaign, but Jason Williams and Co showed they are as good as ever and not in the mood to relinquish the title.

The roar that went up from a large crowd at School Field on the banks of the Teifi when referee Alan Thomas blew the first whistle signalled a resumption of local football after an absence of 17 months due to the pandemic.

The visitors matched their opponents in most phases during the opening 45 minutes, and the 2-1 lead they held midway through the first half was well-earned.

Cardigan, with John Lumb and Liam Docherty lively up front, went ahead when Emyr George fired home, but Saints squared matters with a Rhys Jones 25-yards pile-driver.

Dafydd George, who worked tirelessly with his brother Emyr in midfield regained the lead for Town, but Rhys Jones’ brother and defender Dan Jones put the homesters back on level terms before half time.

It was an entirely different story after the break as Saints upped the tempo, drafted on subs Billy Myers and Jack Thomas and were in the ascendancy for the remainder of the game.

Striker Louis Harding beat two defenders before putting Saints in front, before central midfielder Adam Williams fired a 22-yards free kick into the bottom corner of the net, and Billy Myers completed the scoring..

Saints manager Steve Jerry Williams said: “We eventually got things together, and played some good football.”

Saints were joined on the winning trail by Crymych, Felinfach, Ffostrasol and Lampeter Town.

Promoted Crymych played some attractive football in springing a 3-1 win over battling local rivals Llanboidy at Tegryn.

Rhodri George, Steffan James and Oliver Evans netted to make it a great start for the Preseli men in the top flight, while Steff Williams was on target for the visitors.

Continuing their pre-season good form Felinfach swept aside visitors New Quay 5-0, with Lewis Evans bagging a brace of goals for the Milkmen, and Rhys John, Paul James and Cameron Miles also scored.

Ffostrasol pulled out the stops to earn a 2-1 win over visitors Crannog in an attractive and evenly contested game at Troedyrhiw Park.

Mark Bowen hit the first goal for Wanderers and Tian Edwards got the second, while striker Robbie Evans was on target for the coastal villagers.

Lampeter Town gave newly-appointed manager Mark Saunders the ideal start with a 3-0 win over Dewi Stars at North Road.

It was a highly competitive contest throughout, but Lampeter had the edge and showed they could ruffle a few feathers during the season.

Front-runner Jason Jones fired Town ahead before the interval and the same player doubled his side’s advantage in the second half, before Christy Gale netted a third goal.