Danny Williams has admitted victory over Penybont felt like a turning point for The New Saints last weekend.
The TNS forward also believes it was a first step in putting the wrongs of the opening week’s shock defeat to Briton Ferry Llansawel behind them.
The reigning JD Cymru Premier champions had endured a bruising fortnight, exiting Europe in the opening round before suffering a stunning 3-0 home reverse to newly promoted Briton Ferry.
That setback ended their six-year unbeaten start to a domestic season and left questions swirling about their dominance.
But at the DragonBet Stadium last Saturday – the same venue where they had lost twice to Penybont last term – Craig Harrison’s side rediscovered their bite.
Williams struck early and Ben Wilson sealed it late as Saints earned a 2-0 victory that lifted them off the foot of the table.
For Williams, the win carried a little more edge after the humbling from the Ferrymen.
“We had had a tough couple of weeks going in Europe and then losing last week. We all felt we had to put things right and where better to do that than at a ground where we lost twice last year,” said Williams.
The forward admitted revenge was a motivating factor as the squad dug deep to show a different side of themselves.
“We matched them, we battled, which we didn’t do against them last year, and we got things right. Now we want to build on this and put a run together.”
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Williams’ opener came in the 13th minute, calming nerves and restoring confidence.
Wilson’s first goal for the club with nine minutes left then ensured there would be no late wobble.
“We had a couple of good chances to go ahead early on before my goal went in. We all knew last week wasn’t good enough,” said Wilson.
“It was a really tough week in training and we all knew what we wanted to do. To a man everyone delivered.”
The win won’t erase the sting of defeat to Briton Ferry, but it did reaffirm that Saints still have the quality and character to respond when challenged.
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Elsewhere, Caernarfon Town surged to the summit after thrashing Llanelli Town 6-1, with Adam Davies bagging a hat-trick.
The Reds hardly suffered a defeat as they romped to the JD Cymru South title last year but have found life very difficult in their opening two games back in the top-flight after a six-year absence.
After a 2-0 home defeat to Barry Town United in their first game back, Lee John's side were no match for the Cofis.
After a fairly even opening half-hour, Davies opened the scoring in the 38th minute. Zach Clarke then made it 2-0 at the break after converting form the penalty spot on the cusp of half-time.
The floodgates them opened as Caernarfon doubled their lead in the space of four minutes at the start of the second half - Ryan Sears for the first and then Davies grabbed his second.
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Connor Evans made it 5-0 in the 69th minute before Sean Cronin at least grabbed a consolation effort for the visitors in the 95th minute.
Davies then rounded things off with his hat-trick goal in added time to take his side to the top of the table.
The other newly promoted side, Cowlyn Bay, picked up a point on opening day and did the same on their trip to Jenner Park when they drew 1-1 with Barry Town United.
Aaron Williams gave the visitors the perfect start with a goal after only three minutes, but former Newport County midfield ace Robbie Wilmott levelled things up before the break.
Ruben Davies continued his rich vein of form as he made it five goals in three games this season for Briton Ferry Llansawel in tier 1-1 home draw with Cardiff Met.
The former Swansea City starlet grabbed two in the Nathaniel MG Cup win over Trethomas Bluebirds and then grabbed another brace in the sensational 3-0 win over reigning champions TNS on the opening day of the league campaign.
He opened the scoring in the 39th minute at the Renewable Centre Stadium, but the Archers hit back to level in the 54th minute through Jasper Payne.
The Ferrymen remain unbeaten this season.
A burst water main in Broughton led to the postponement of two fixtures in north Wales on Friday night.
Both Flint Town United and Connah's Quay Nomads had to call-off their clashes with Haverfordwest County and Bala Town respectively.
"The decision was taken by the powers that be that the game be postponed owing to the fact that we were currently without water and the visitors had an overnight stay booked, which they needed to cancel by 10.," said a Flint statement.
"Unfortunately, we are left frustrated that due to circumstances beyond our control, there won’t be a 1st team game this weekend."
The Nomads have just seen summer signing Abdi Sharif receive his second international call-up for Somalia.
The 24-year-old ex-Liverpool Academy product played one game in 2023 for the land of his birth - his family moved to Toxteth when he was three - and has now been brought into the squad for the World Cup for the upcoming qualifying matches against Guinea and Uganda next month.
He got the call from the Somalia manger after he had watched him playing for the Nomads against Colwyn Bay on Welsh TV.
