On a warm afternoon eleven games across four divisions went ahead with four teams starting life in theVeterans league for the first time.
PREMIER DIVISION
RECKITTS V BOTTESFORD TOWN MATCH POSTPONED- BOTTESFORD TOWN USING THEIR WILDCARD
SWANLAND A 2 LIV 2
Swanland A began their Premier Division campaign with a vist from Liv at their new home ground at South Hunsley, The visitors who were previously Kingswood United came away with a point after a 2-2 draw after goals from Ryan Thompson and Steve Davidson.
SYMONDS & GREENHAM 3 WESTELLA WILLERBY 2
Symonds & Greenham is the new name for what was Lord Nelson and they started their season with a home game against newcomers Westella Willerby at Sir Henry Cooper Park. The hosts took the spoils by the odd goal in five.
WATERLOO 6 BLACKBURN LEISURE A 1
Waterloo playing their first game at their new home ground at Bishop Burton College entertained Blackburn Leisure A. The visitors who had been struggling for a side put up a brave performance but were no match for the Waterloo side and went down 6-1. Scorers for the home side were Mark Griffin 2, Shaun Scotthorne 2, Joe Lamplough and Stuart Blaza whilst Luke Bryan replied for Blackies.
DIVISION TWO
BRIDLINGTON TOWN ROVERS V NEWLAND MATCH POSTPONED- RE-ARRANGED FOR 4TH OCTOBER
GREAT DRIFFIELD A 4 NORTHERN WANDERERS A 2
Great Driffield A welcomed Northern Wanderers A to Cemetery Lane for this league and Preliminary Round Cup game. The visitors opened the scoring through Lewis Cowling in the first half but by half time Driffield were back on level terms at 1-1. The hosts went ahead early in the second half and doubled their advantage after Northern had a goal disallowed. Cowling then reduced the arrears to 3-2 with a screamer from 30 plus yards out. As Northern pushed forward looking for an equaliser they were hit on the break as Driffield made the points and a place in Quarter Finals of the cup safe late on.
HEDON RANGERS 0 BOTANIC FIRE 3
Hedon Rangers started their season with a home game against Botanic Fire at South Holderness. A defensive error and two well taken chances saw Botanic claim the points after a 3-0 win in a scoreline which Hedon didn`t think was a fair reflection of the game although they did feel that Botanic were worthy winners.
HODGSONS 5 SOUTH CAVE 0
Hodgsons started their Veterans League career at Leconfield Recreation club when they took on newly promoted South Cave. Hodgsons started well and soon opened the scoring and their young side caused Cave problems and only good goalkeeping kept the score down to 2-0 at half time. Cave started better in the second half but their final ball let them down and they were unable to reduce the arrears. When what appeared to be a miss hit cross made it 3-0 it was game over and two late goals made it a spectacular start for the newcomers.
DIVISION THREE
AFC WILLERBY A 2 HULL ATHLETIC 3
In a game which was originally scheduled for last weekend but quickly re-arranged AFC Willerby entertained Hull Athletic at Wolfreton College. The visitors who were previously known as Springhead got off to the perfect start when inside the first five minutes went ahead courtesy of an own goal by a Willerby defender. The game was end to end in the first half hour but neither keeper was seriously troubled before the home side equalised through a good finish from Adam Newlove. Athletic regained the lead five minutes bfor the break when a throughball was finished well by Sahin. The visitors keeper was the sin binned for dissent but whilst down to ten men they scored again when a long throw was headed home by Imran Khan to give them a 3-1 lead. In the second half an own goal by a visiting defender brought Willerby back into the game and then they had a man sent off and were up against it with twenty two minutes remaining. A combination of resolute defending and good goal keeping and some very poor finishing enabled them to cling onto their lead and record a well earned win.
DIVISION SIX
BARHAM 1 BILTON 3
There was a local derby at Alderman Kneeshaw Park as Barham took on Bilton. The visitors took the bragging rights after a 3-1 win. Barham went ahead when Steve Wilson chipped the Bilton keeper from 25 yards. Bilton responded very well and put the Barham defence under constant pressure which paid off just before half time when they equalised through Darren Thompson. In the second period Bilton scored twice more via Jordan Powley and Carl Ness to take the points.
EASINGTON UNITED 2 EAST HULL SPORTING 3
Easington United started their season with a home game against newcomers East Hull Sporting at Low Farm. A tight first half saw the visitors have plenty of the ball early on but the home defence stood up to the task. The East Hull keeper was called into action and he made an outstanding double save but shortly after was unable to prevent Chris Frost putting Easington ahead. Gary Allen with great strike into the top corner brought East Hull level by ha;f time. The home side hit the front again on the hour when Frost got his second of the game. A moment of magic from Chris “Maggot” King made it 2-2 and all to play for with the game looking like ending in a draw. However with under five minutes to play Kieron Darraugh smashed home a twenty yarder to give the visitors a winning start to life in the Veterans League.
NORTHERN WANDERERS B 6 LITTLE WEIGHTON 3
Plenty of goals at Malet Lambert as Northern Wanderers B christened their new home ground with a 6-3 win against Little Weighton. The hosts started well but were unable to take any of the chances they created and then were hit with a double whammy as Little Weighton scored twice in quick succession. The home side halved the deficit before the break through Andy Scammell. Early in the second half the visitors restored their two goal lead to go 3-1 up. Northern responeded brilliantly and two Nick Scott efforts brought them level at 3-3. Little Weighton were awarded a penalty but it was missed and Northern took full advantage and scored three times without reply through Brett Vickers, Sam Owen Green and Scott who completed his hat trick. Special mention for the saves made by Neil Thompson in the Northern goal who kept them in the game. As Northern didn`t win a single game last season this is the perfect start to the new one. Kirk Scargill 2 and an own goal for Little Weighton.
PRIORY 2 HORNSEA TOWN 5
Hornsea Town travelled over to Pride Park to take on Priory in their first game of the season. An open game saw Hornsea come away with all three points after a 5-2 win. Their scorers were Liam Watson, Jamie Foster, Paul Wilson, Joe Hirst and Karl Hill as they got off to a winning start.