DESPITE falling to a shock opening fixture loss at newly promoted Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochant, there is no need to panic for ambitious Rhyl.

One swallow does not make a summer. This is going to be a long season full of twists and turns to come, and although the defeat is going to sting the Lilies’ new playing and backroom staff, they should use it as a source of motivation ahead of testing stretch of fixtures to open their campaign.

There is enough talent within this squad to ensure that a result like this will not happen too often throughout the course of the season, and they have the necessary experience within their set-up to guarantee this loss will not be dwelt on for too long in pursuit of their overall goals.

Whether complacency was an issue or not is up for debate, but given the strength of character of Eddie Maurice-Jones and his coaching team, it would be a huge surprise if they performed like this again and will set their sights on bouncing back at the earliest opportunity.

That is why this defeat might be a good thing in the grand scheme of things.

With so much talk of a title challenge it would be easy for the squad to start believing their own hype, but a result like this will be a shock to the system and proof, if any were needed, that you need to be at your very best in every game during what is expected to be the most competitive second tier season in history.

The league is not decided on the first day of the season, and although championship rivals Bangor City, Airbus Broughton, Porthmadog and Flint Town United all secured impressive victories on the opening weekend, there will plenty of sterner tests to come for all and their respective character will all be tested in the weeks and months ahead.

The famous Lilywhites’ spirit will need to be at its very best during what is expected to be a tricky trip to Ruthin Town, who hit the ground running at Holywell Town on Friday and are one of the most disciplined units in the entire division thanks to the expert management of Chris Williams.

It will be another huge test for the Lilies, but they have match-winners all over the pitch and have the talent within their squad to give any side plenty to think about, which will always stand them in good stead no matter who they are playing in the Welsh pyramid.

Of course, it was a disappointing start, but write them off at your peril.