Pitchero Non League

....Metropolitan Police, intercepting a scuffed goal-kick by Police keeper Jamie Butler and firing home what proved to be the only goal of the game to get Wealdstone`s Ryman League Premier Division title challenge off to a successful start on Saturday.

Lowestoft Town, beaten play-off finalists for the last two seasons, came from a goal down at half-time to chalk up an impressive 3-1 win at Whitehawk.

The Brighton side, making their Premier debut, took an early lead with a penalty from summer signing Scott McGleish, veteran of 692 Football League games.

McGleish went close to doubling the lead with a header but the Trawlerboys showed their class with three goals in 8 minutes midway through the second half. Chris Henderson twice fired home from outside the box with Dale Cockrill netting in between them.

Fancied Margate were comfortable 2-0 home winners over Hendon. Two new signings, Sam Long and Alex Rhodes, hit the bar in the early stages and it was the 65th minute before Richard Avery gave the hosts a deserved lead.

Carl Rook added the second with 12 minutes left. Last season it was November 15th before Hendon conceded their second away goal!

Two promoted sides started Premier life with away victories and in the case of Enfield Town it was their first-ever game at this level.

Lewes, another team expected to do well, took the lead with a 12th minute header by Karl Beckford. Mark Kirby replied for Town 5 minutes before the interval and last season’s Ryman North `golden boot` winner, Liam Hope, lobbed the winner 9 minutes after the break.

Bognor Regis Town enjoyed their return to the top division, deservedly winning 3-1 at Concord Rangers, who paid the penalty for missing first half chances.

They should have been ahead before Ashley Robinson struck for the visitors on the half-hour. Tony Stokes immediately replied with a 20-yard free-kick but Mu Maan restored Bognor’s lead in the 39th minute and James Crane netted from close range to seal it on the hour.

The other promoted side Leiston were held to a 1-1 home draw by Cray Wanderers.

There were three 2nd minute goals in the league on opening day - impossible to tell which was first, but Cray’s Mark Willy must be a strong candidate for his effort, timed at 86 seconds.

Leiston took a while to get into the game but they had the upper hand after Luke Hammond equalised with a 32nd minute free-kick.

The scoreline was the same at East Thurrock United where Kingstonian were aggrieved not to leave with all three points.

Wade Small was fouled by keeper Jamie Riley in the 90th minute and, although he found the net anyway, the whistle had already gone. Riley was sent-off and the free-kick came to nothing. The game finished with nineteen men - the hosts’ Steve Sheehan and visitor Andre McCollin were dismissed for a clash shortly after Kye Ruel equalised for Rocks on 61 minutes. Dean Lodge had given K’s a 32nd minute lead and both sides had goals disallowed.

There was a third 1-1 draw at Bury Town and there, too, the visitors will feel they should have won. Carshalton Athletic striker Paul Vines had a penalty saved by Marcus Garnham with 16 minutes left.

Vines and Jack Clark hit the bar for the Robins, who took command after falling behind to a John Sands strike on 47 minutes. Vines headed home Clark’s cross to level it 4 minutes later and it was all Robins after that.

Harrow Borough were off to a flying start at home to relegated Thurrock, who had already cleared the ball of their line twice before Rob Wooleaston’s 9th minute opener.

Alwayne Jones and Simeon Akinola made it 3-0 by the 16th minute, and Thurrock did well to keep the final score down to 4-1.

Gary Jones stretched the lead with a 51st-minute penalty and Joel Barnett replied with 10 minutes left.

The other relegated side, Hampton & Richmond Borough, fared better, bearing visitors Hastings United with a lone 43rd minute header by Max Hustwick. Zac Attwood was inches away from a late leveller.

Bradley Woods-Garness pounced on a loose ball to score for Canvey Island 3 minutes into the second half at Wingate & Finchley and that was enough to earn all three points.

Tags: News | The Ryman Football League Premier Division

• The Ryman Football League
• Premier Division
  • + Cray Bid For New Home at Manorfields
  • + Blues Lift Suffolk Premier Cup
  • + Heale Replaces Tilson at Canvey
  • + Huckle Leaves K`s
  • + Game Back With Islanders
  • + Changing Keepers at the Met
• North Division
  • + Top Scorer Boost for Abbots
  • + New Keeper for Yachtsmen
  • + Yachtsmen Re-Sign for Next Season
  • + Dockers Charged for Playing Barnett
  • + Canaries See Off Yatchsmen
  • + Kimble Commits to Witham
  • + Chats Consider Drastic Action
• South Division
  • + Rayner Takes Chipstead Post
  • + Herne Bay Appoint Denly
  • + Welford for Hythe?
  • + Tanners Want to Stay in Ryman League
  • + Hythe Wouldn`t Stand in Cook`s Way
  • + Denly Makes First Signing for Bay
  • + Saunders Want to Keep Stones Together