Men’s Reserves edged out in league opener.

The Reserves began their Autocentre Gwent Premier Combination League season at home on Saturday, and will feel they saw enough of the game to have taken something from it.

They started the better. Eleven minutes in, Daniel Madge picked out Sam Smith and Celtic were ahead — and for the next half-hour they looked comfortable enough. Croesyceiliog’s response was scrappy rather than threatening, Kofi Williams booked on 20 and Logan Mulcahy on 31, but it told in the end. On 37, Sam Leek’s pass found Oscar Balkwill and the game was level.

The closing minutes of the half went against Celtic, with Jamie Williams and Bailey Goodall both cautioned, and the sides turned round at 1-1.

Balkwill settled it just after the hour, Kenny Hurford the provider on 66. Celtic had already gone to the bench — Joe Barber on for Jack Prosser on 57, Luke Betts for Madge a minute later, Cam Williams for Brooklyn Lee on 75 — but the equaliser would not come.

Jamie Pring wore the armband and kept goal on an opening afternoon that offered plenty to build on, even without the points. Shaun Colin Knox refereed.

The Reserves are back at the Motazone Arena on Friday night, when Rogerstone visit — the same side that put them out of the Gwent Premier Combination Cup earlier this month.