The home side took a while to get into the game and struggled to find their rhythm early on. The rock hard playing surface resulted in a few suspect touches from both teams in the opening stages of the game, but it was Athletic who soon began to find their feet.

Johnstown seemed happy to sit in and soak up the pressure and it wasn't long before Offa began to dominate the ball; a long range Chris Hewitt free kick and an Alun Parry header were the best of the first half opportunities, but the away team keeper remained unchallenged.

Johnstown had opportunities of their own and nearly had the ball in the net from a Chris Davis header, but the referee blew up for offside.

Then, a couple of minutes before the break, with the Offa back line barely troubled, Johnstown were awarded a free kick just outside the box. Connor Wright stepped up and bent the ball into the bottom corner to give the away side the lead against the run of play.

HT: OFFA ATHLETIC 0 JOHNSTOWN YFC 1

After some choice words in the dressing room, Athletic came out with the bit between their teeth in the second half as they chased an equaliser. Offa pressed high and restricted Johnstown to long balls and counter attacks as they pushed for their first Welsh National League goal.

Eventually, they were back on level terms after Andy Bithell cut in from the left and struck a sweet shot with his weaker right foot past the opposition keeper.

Offa continued to press and had numerous chances to take the lead. It was new signing Adam "Chopsy" Roberts who found the net for the hosts second as he headed home brilliantly from a corner.

With Offa very much in control of the game, the visitors tried to find an equaliser with 15 minutes still on the clock. A couple of set pieces went begging, before a loose header dropped to Dewi Reeves in the box on 85 minutes, who thundered a left foot volley into the roof of the net.

The game was far from over though; James Gibney found himself one-on-one with the keeper late on, but his lofted effort crept wide of the post. Gibney was involved again right at the death as a ball from the right was unable to be turned in by him or by Matt Bennett and bounced harmlessly wide.

The home side would have felt like it was two points lost despite some brilliant football in the second half. However, a gutsy performance from the travelling Johnstown boys after having two defenders taken off injured in the first half meant it was one point on the opening day, not three.

FT: OFFA ATHLETIC 2 JOHNSTOWN YFC 2
MOTM (as chosen by Johnstown): JAMES GIBNEY