Baptism of Fire for DaX

Carthage FC began life back in Division Three with a superb 5-0 home victory over league newcomers Spartans. In front of a raucous first day crowd, Carthage put together a first-half performance full of verve and pace to leave the visitors stunned. The hero of the opening 45 minutes turned out to be Eric Fray who put the finishing touches to some pinpoint attacking play. His first goal arrived on 18 minutes after being put through by Ad Herbal; he defeated Pinto in goal with ease. The same two combined within moments to make it 2-0 as Herbal headed home a Fray cross and they made it a trio of goals when Fray headed in a Herbal centre on the half-hour to leave Spartans reeling. With DaX’s side unable to gel their first-half misery was complete when Fray scored his hat-trick goal with another header on 34 minutes. To their credit, though, they put in a solid defensive second-half effort which bodes well for the season ahead to restrict a buoyant home side to just one further goal. It came on 91 minutes as Guido Eliseo struck from range to round off a perfect season’s opener for Carthage. Blakey will now look ahead with confidence that his side can make their stay in the bottom division a short one while DaX will hope his players settle in quickly so, they too, can begin playing some impressive football.

Southampton also hit the ground running with a 4-1 win against Alsancak. It proved to be an eventful start for the Saints as Kevin Royale went off injured as early as the fourth minute before Benos Hardinho went close to opening the scoring. They did take the lead shortly afterwards as star man Andres Iniesta slotted home a cool penalty. The game then took on an open feel as both sides attacked with real intent. Rory Burston managed to drag Alsancak level with their first effort on goal as he drilled in from distance on 28 minutes but their parity lasted only a minute as Sonny Baron thundered in a free-kick to restore the home side’s initiative. Both sides had further efforts before the break but neither could add the final touch although Alsancak suffered a blow with Andrew Taylor going off injured. The second-half continued in eventful fashion but it was to be the home side who would always remain in the ascendency. Benos Hardinho was unfortunate not to add to the Saints lead with two ambitious lobs; one of which defeated Cirkovic but crashed back off the bar. While the visitors maintained a threat of their own, Iniesta put the game to bed with a brilliant long range strike and Kyle Lang added some gloss with a classic breakaway goal on 76 minutes. Wienersnitzel will be looking for his young side to grow throughout the season while NorthamSoul will, undoubtedly, have promotion on his mind as the games pass by.

The other winners in Division Three were Morley Town who enjoyed a 2-0 success at debutants’ Cullin Lava. Making their extra class and experience tell Morley put in a dominant performance in terms of attacking football to create five chances to their host’s one. However, despite creating three good chances they had to wait until the second-half to make their superiority count. It would be experienced midfielder Gwilym Cullip who would open the scoring as he deceived Velasques from distance on 58 minutes. The win was then sealed with just moments remaining as some expert wing play from Angres Kafka allowed Ionel Traian the simple task of heading home to give joy to the travelling support. For Kevll7 the task for the season will be to get the squad up to speed to compete on a level playing field in the future. Leeg21 will be pleased to get his season off to a winning start following some misfortune during last term and will be keen for his side to remain focused.

Last season’s fourth-placed side, wortley afc, started in typically high-scoring fashion with a 2-2 draw against Dream Team. Both sides put their emphasis on attacking football as they created a plethora of chances and the goals duly followed. The home side took the lead as early as the third minute as Paulinho Santos hit a stunner from range to put MrJames’ side on the back foot. However, his side are made of strong stuff since his arrival and a 33rd minute strike from Kenneth Caster had them on level terms. The second-half followed in a similar pattern and it was wortley who re-established themselves. A corner, delivered by Quincy Bowey, was powerfully headed home by Curt Pryor to put them 2-1 ahead. They then proceeded to miss chances to put the game safe and were to count the cost in injury-time. Dream Team sensed their opportunity slipping away and launched a counter-attack of real quality as Rinaldo Lupatelli beat Gareth to ensure both teams would go away with a point each. Following an entertaining beginning to the campaign the respective managers will now look to marry their attacking prowess with some defensive solidity.

Also involved in a 2-2 draw were Grey Area and The Champs. It was to be the away side who would make the brighter start as Bruce Collinge shot home after a corner was expertly delivered by Rod Caunce. Most of the half was to be a tight affair before bursting into action late on. A lob hit by Collinge was unfortunate not to add to the lead when it crashed back off the angle before Area struck with their first chance. The goal came courtesy of a header by Velibor Klasnic following a fine centre by Norman Cederhag. Area thought they had the perfect start to the second-half as Skiverton finished off more good work by Cederhag only to be denied by an offside decision which, at best, was 50-50. The sides then traded chances before Justin Thyme gave Herbert Stigsson the opportunity to score from the spot and give Area the lead for the first time. Skiverton quickly hit the bar before The Champs struck back. The combination of Caunce and Collinge again brought about the home side’s downfall as the latter headed in well from a quality cross. Neither side could force a winner but both appear destined for fine seasons following this cracking starter. Carfin was happy with a ‘good result against the strongest side in the division’ but rued the assistant referee’s ‘dodgy decision’.

The third 2-2 draw of the division took place at Yellow Brick Road as Glory Hornets and Wiltshire Warriors fought it out. It was Big K’s Warriors who looked like they would enjoy the start to the season more as first Robert Merson shot home in the penalty area on five minutes before he headed home a Bob Black cross on 41 to double their advantage. In between both sides had chances in what was proving to be an open and entertaining game. The Hornets did manage to give themselves a lifeline before the break as Toma Popadic kept his cool to beat Moore and halve the deficit. The second-half saw the Hornets gradually assert themselves on the contest despite both sides having to contend with injuries. They finally earned their reward on 83 minutes as a breakaway, led by Raphael Dearden, ended with Lionel Monk shooting home to ensure both sides would take away a point apiece. Warriors news reported seeing Big K ‘pulling out what little hair he has left’ following their lead slip. GregPerkins, meanwhile, was delighted with young Lionel Monk who, he claimed, ‘justified his faith in him.’