18/08/2008 - Returning red Lee is an instant hero
Welsh Premier champions Llanelli began the defence of their title in emphatic style with a hard-earned victory over Bangor at Farrar Road.
The nightmare of last season's Welsh Cup final defeat by the Citizens and the misery of an early European exit were soon banished as the Reds took the game by the scruff of the neck early on.
It was a vice-like grip they never relinquished although the hosts, 2-0 down at the break, hit back spiritedly afterwards.
They squandered a gilt-edged chance when Stephen Evans handled in the box and was red-carded midway through the second period, but Marc Limbert's penalty was brilliantly turned onto the post by former Neath keeper Craig Morris.
Morris, on his debut, looked solid and another newcomer, former Swansea City and Wales midfielder Jason Bowen, was also prominent.
Signed from Newport County during the summer, Bowen supplied the 22nd-minute opener, his corner beautifully met by the head of Lee Phillips, who made no mistake.
It was the perfect riposte by Phillips, who had a brief summer spell with Port Talbot after failing to agree terms with the Reds.
Number two, on the stroke of half-time, was a magnificent curled right-foot shot by Craig Williams and gave the Stebonheath Park side the cushion they needed to quell the Bangor threat.
Llanelli boss Peter Nicholas was delighted to start the campaign with three points and a clean sheet.
"I told the players that what happened last season was over and it was a new season, new game, " he said.
"I'm delighted with the win. The penalty save was vital as was the cushion we gave ourselves by half-time."