NPL round-up | Robins on top after opening weekend as Warrington duo impress
It was an action-packed opening weekend in the NPL Premier Division, with Ashton United leading the way after Matchday 1.
There was much excitement surrounding the Robins after a summer of eye-catching recruitment.
And in their opening game against Lancaster City - who narrowly missed out on the play-offs last season - Steve Cunningham's side were forced to come from behind to win.
One of Lancaster's own summer signings, Sekouba Sanogo, opening the scoring in the 16th minute, but Reece Kendall restored parity for the hosts before half-time.
Ashton's second goal, just minutes after the break, again came from a set-piece as Alex Byrne's corner was nodded in by Nathan Okome.
Dylan Cogill volleyed home their third shortly before the hour mark, then 10 minutes later it was four as Dan Turner fired home one-on-one - just moments after Robins goalkeeper Tommy Taylor had saved a penalty at the other end on debut.
Ashton lead the way courtesy of goal scored, closely followed by last season's beaten play-off finalists Warrington Rylands.
The Blues put in a strong display on Matchday 1 to ease past another of the promotion favourites, FC United of Manchester.
The two played out a five-goal thriller when they met in last season's play-off semi-finals, but it was a much more one-sided affair this time around as goals from Jake Burton, Joe Riley and Ryan Tioffo steered Rylands to victory.
There were also home wins on the opening day for Cleethorpes Town and Gainsborough Trinity, who were 2-0 victors against Bamber Bridge and Workington respectively.
Goals in either half from Lewis Hey and James Blunden saw Cleethorpes make a perfect start to just their second-ever season at Step 3.
As for Gainsborough, both of their goals came inside a six-minute spell in the final quarter, Ashton Offler's header followed soon after by a curling Fraser Preston finish into the far corner.
Elsewhere, Avro's first-ever game at Step 3 ended in victory, after they came from behind to defeat Quorn 2-1.
The visitors, back in the NPL after lateral movement between the divisions, had led through summer signing Ethan Bojang's 25th minute opener.
But Jack Atkinson arrowed home an equaliser for the Ro shortly before the hour, then David Fitzpatrick converted from the penalty spot 15 minutes from time to complete the turnaround in Greater Manchester.
Also making a winning start to the season were Warrington Town, who came from behind to defeat Guiseley 2-1 at Nethermoor.
The same fixture last season saw Guiseley thrash the Yellows 4-0, and it looked like their latest meeting might follow suit when Adam Lund fired home from just outside the area inside four minutes.
But the Yellows turned the game on its head either side of half-time, thanks to headed goals from two of their debutants.
First, former Bamber Bridge striker Ewan Bange nodded home Reece Daly's corner, before Alex McNally's looping header from a Daly free-kick three minutes after the break turned the game around.
It was also a 2-1 scoreline at Harrison Park, where Whitby Town's season got off to a winning start against Leek Town.
Leek ended last season with six straight wins and made a bright start in this encounter, leading inside 15 minutes through Alex Panter.
That lead remained until three minutes after half-time, when Stuart Rose swept home the leveller at the far post.
The winner came midway through the second half through Callum Hickman, who latched onto Joey Phuthi's excellent ball in-behind then calmly struck a low shot back across the keeper to find the bottom corner.
The two other teams to start the campaign on a winning note were Curzon Ashton and Ilkeston Town, who secured one-goal victories at home to Alfreton Town and Stockton Town respectively.
Curzon's win came against an Alfreton side also relegated from the National League North last season, and while their previous meeting on the final day of last season produced a thrilling 3-3 draw, this one was a far less goal-laden affair.
The winner came 64 minutes in, courtesy of Harvey Roberts on debut for the Nash.
It was another debutant who delivered the goods for Ilkeston too, as Lynden Joyce volleyed home with 96 minutes on the clock to snatch all three points for the Robins.
The final two games of Matchday 1 ended goalless.
Hyde United and Emley shared the spoils, while last season's champions of the NPL East and West Division, Redcar Athletic and Bury, also played out a stalemate.
Results - Saturday 8 August
- Ashton United 4-1 Lancaster City
- Avro 2-1 Quorn
- Cleethorpes Town 2-0 Bamber Bridge
- Curzon Ashton 1-0 Alfreton Town
- Gainsborough Trinity 2-0 Workington
- Guiseley 1-2 Warrington Town
- Hyde United 0-0 Emley
- Ilkeston Town 1-0 Stockton Town
- Leek Town 1-2 Whitby Town
- Redcar Athletic 0-0 Bury
- Warrington Rylands 3-0 FC United of Manchester
Check out the latest fixtures and results from across the NPL East Division, NPL Midlands Division and NPL West Division.