Home wins for March Town and Whittlesey Athletic this afternoon, but opening day defeats on the road for Wisbech Town and Parson Drove
It looked a tricky opening fixture for Wisbech Town against newly-promoted United Counties Division One champions Clay Cross Town, and so it proved as The Fenmen went down 3-0 in North East Derbyshire this afternoon.
But there was victory for March Town, who beat visitors Luttwerworth Town 1-0. Parson Drove went down 4-1 at Wroxham Reserves, and Whittlesey Athletic started the season with a 2-1 victory over Leiston U23.
A March side fielding several new signings beat Lutterworth in their opening United Counties Premier South game, with a new face from Rugby Borough, Rio Henson, getting the all-important goal in the 78th minute.
There was no such luck for Luke Hipwell’s Wisbech in United Counties Premier North. With the momentum of last season’s success behind them, Ricky Starbuck opened the scoring for Clay Cross against The Fenmen after 24 minutes.
Tim Gregory made it 2-0 to The Millers eight minutes later, and that’s the way it stayed until the break. A penalty from Mike Williams after 64 minutes wrapped up the scoring.
Newly-promoted Wroxham Reserves were quick out of the blocks against Parson Drove in Thurlow Nunn First Division North with the opening goal from James Moore after eight minutes, but Drove equalised on the stroke of half-time through Joao Aguilar.
Two quick goals from Ryan Hawkins made it 3-1 to The Yachtsmen after the break, and Freddy Lines wrapped up the win for last season’s Anglian Combination Premier runners-up.
In the same division, Whittlesey started with a victory, beating Suffolk opponents Lesiton U23 2-1 at home. Alfie Fryett and Kieran Hibbins netted for Athletic, with Oscar Manly scoring for the visitors.
Next up for Wisbech is a home league game with Boston Town on Tuesday evening before they travel to play Thurlow Nunn Premier outfit Haverhill Rovers in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup next Saturday.
March are at Histon in the league on Tuesday night and then at home on Saturday to Thurlow Nunn Premier side Soham Town, also in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup.
Parson Drove are at home to Holbeach United on Wednesday evening and then entertain Framlingham Town on Saturday, both games in the league, while Whittlesey have two league away games, at FC Peterborough on Wednesday and then AFC Sudbury Reserves on Saturday.
Wisbech Town: Watson, Falcao (Wilson 84), Knowles, Perry-Burdett, Harris, Dear (Nicholson 77), Lennon (Williams 84), Barker, Bennett, Acheampong (Conyard 45), Ward. Attendance: 180.
March Town: Gill, Francisco, Saunders, Hook, Emmington, Brumby, Cotton, Green, Allen, Foy, Henson. Subs: Hill-Seekings, Tait, Escorcio, King, Hilliard. Attendance: 333.
Whittlesey Athletic: Foulger, Fryett, Bates, Carter, Lilley, Briggs, Ky Hibbins, Gale, Ki Hibbins, Graham, Papworth-Boston. Subs: Ward, Kowalski, Simpson, Myrie, Strange.
