Saturday's First Division South action review

The opening day of the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League First Division South season saw Leek Town hit Rainworth Miners Welfare for six while two of the three newcomers earned victories, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Rainworth, who lost player-manager Scott Rickards in midweek and appointed assistant manager Dean Short as his successor, were two-down by the ninth minute at Harrison Park as Leek`s Dan Shelley and Sam Hall found the target. Matty Bell added a third on 28 minutes to make it 3-0 at the break and then Ashley Jackson and Niall Maguire added two more in three minutes just before the hour-mark and Andy Kinsey's penalty at the end made it 6-0.

Midland Alliance winners Tividale won their opening NPL game by beating Lincoln United 3-1 at Ashby Avenue, thanks to goals from Zach Foster after 39 minutes, Mitch Botfield on 71 and Jordan Archer in injury-time after Sean Wright had replied for the Whites just past the hour-mark.

Norton United, promoted from the North West Counties, also started with a win, 2-1 at home to relegated Stocksbridge Park Steels. Nathan Joynes had given the visitors a 30th minute lead but that was cancelled out by Tom Winkle`s spot-kick on 63 minutes and then Michael Lennon grabbed the winner in stoppage time.

The exception was United Counties League champions Spalding United who went down to a 2-0 defeat at Coles Lane to Sutton Coldfield Town, Jordan Tunnicliffe after 42 minutes and Justin Richards seven minutes from time on the mark for the home side.

Relegated Stafford Rangers started life in the First Division South off well, winning 3-1 at Carlton Town, courtesy of goals from Levi Reid with two either side of a Dan Cope effort, Junor Ogedi-Uzokwe replying.

Mick Wadsworth`s Sheffield FC earned a narrow 1-0 success at the Coach & Horses against Market Drayton Town, thanks to Joel Purkiss` 33rd minute goal.

Fancied Coalville Town overturned a 10th minute James Reid opener for Romulus to win 2-1, courtesy of a Matthew Curley own goal just after the break and then Ben Saunders 18 minutes from time.

Luke Smithson bagged a brace as Loughborough Dynamo won 3-1 at the Hawthorns against Brigg Town – Martin Bowles adding the visitors other goal and Josh Nichol replying.

Elsewhere, Jazz Luckie scored Chasetown's winner at The Scholars against Gresley FC with only three minutes to go after Alex Steadman had cancelled out Nick Wellecomme`s 59th minute opener for the hosts and the game between Kidsgrove Athletic and Goole AFC ended goalless.