The only realistic view to take of this unexpected Bridge Meadow setback is that these are early days.

Bryntirion shouldn't of course be under-rated. They are a strong, physical side who have just followed two promotions in two years with a good mid-table finish in the First Division of the Welsh League.

They may well be seen pressing for a Welsh Premier place within a season or two. But Derek Brazil will be concerned that a defence which looked very secure for most of the game, still conceded three goals, and that a midfield and attack in which almost everyone played well, should have failed to get a goal in open play.

The Blues gave debuts to two players, one of them ex-Carmarthen, Swansea City and Barry Town right back Terry Evans, who looked a very good player indeed. In fact, with Simon Gilderdale and new skipper Gareth Elliott looking again like a very secure defensive partnership, and with Wayne Jones solid at left back, the Blues defence looked extremely good. Lee Kendall looked secure.

And yet a Robbie Walters corner crept in from a bad deflection in the 24th minute, to give Athletic the lead, and Walters again and top scorer Jonathan Cuss were able to poach a goal apiece when nothing really seemed to be on, so it will be drawing-board time for Derek Brazil and his defenders this week.

It was the same mixed-fortunes story in midfield. The Bluebirds had another debutant there in ex-Llanelli player Neil Thomas who also looked a very good all-round player.

Jonathan Coates looked much sharper than he did last season, Phil Catlin played well, and Adam Raymond, coming on with 20 minutes to go, played extremely well.

Yet even here the mix didn't quite take and, in the first half in particular, Jack Christopher was receiving rather too many high balls pumped through from deep.

In the first half, the Blues seemed to be working with a 4-3--3 formation, with Chris O'Sullivan and Lee Hudgell pushing well forward, but in fact the pattern seemed more promising in the second half, when Hudgell dropped to left back and the returning Nick Woodrow came on to partner Christopher up front.

O'Sullivan, the Bluebirds' best player on the day, equalized just before half-time when he converted a penalty given for a rather unnecessary hand-ball in the box.

Cuss put Athletic back in front in the 59th minute, when he headed in Gavin Thomas' deep cross. It can only be said of the last half-hour that the Blues exerted some pressure, but never heavy pressure. There wasn't any one moment when it really looked as if they would score.

Christopher and Woodrow both kept chasing and probing, and both got several shots in. Raymond weighed in with a couple of good long-range efforts as did Evans, but again the goalkeeper seemed to have them covered as the shots went wide. It was never really enough.

No doubt things will pep up against Cirencester on Saturday, as the Blues traditionally do well against good sides. Maybe the new midfield mix will settle in. Maybe also a first appearance for ex-Afan Lido striker Ian Jones will increase the striking options. It should certainly be a good game.

The Cirencester game kicks off at 2.30pm, and then on Wednesday, August 1, the Blues entertain Goytre, with a 7.30pm kick-off.

County: Kendall; Evans, Wayne Jones (Woodrow, 45), Gilderdale, Elliott, Neil Thomas, O'Sullivan, Catlin (Raymond, 70), Christopher, Coates, Hudgell.