Saturday's Premier Division action review

Five teams possess 100 per cent records from the opening three games of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division season following Saturday‘s round of matches, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Ashton United, FC United of Manchester, Marine, Hednesford Town and Rushall Olympic are the five to manage three wins.

Ashton demolished point-less Eastwood Town at Coronation Park, taking a 10th minute lead through Ben Deegan and then adding a second just 9 minutes later. Craig Robinson made it 3-0 to the visitors with 11 minutes of the first half remaining, and further damage to the relegated Badgers was dished out by Matty Kotylo in the 70th minute and Astley Mulholland with less than 4 minute to go.

FC United scored only one less than Danny Johnson‘s side at Gigg Lane against Matlock Town in front of a good Bank Holiday Saturday crowd of 1,763. Mike Norton finally put the home side in front just before half-time, but Carlos Roca doubled their lead less than 6 minutes after the restart. And then Kyle Jacobs, pictured, bagged a brace in the 75th and 84th minutes to seal a comfortable win for the Reds.

The Mariners saw off a Frickley Athletic outfit who are also yet to find a point in 2012-13. Andy Fowler‘s penalty 2 minutes after half-time gave the visitors their breakthrough and Nick Rogan made sure with a second 19 minutes from time.

The Pitmen had a fine 2-1 win at Croft Park against relegated Blyth Spartans, who had a great start when Phil Airey gave them an early 3rd minute lead. But Neil Harvey eventually equalised 11 minutes after the break and Dave MacPherson won it for Rob Smith‘s side with a 67th minute effort.

Rushall maintained their 100% start thanks to a clinical Lei Brown penalty conversion against Kendal Town at Dales Lane. The only goal of the game came shortly after half-time in an otherwise even affair.

Along with Eastwood and Frickley, Whitby Town are also yet to get off the mark after going down to a 2-1 defeat at Silverlands against Buxton. Marc Roberts gave the hosts a great start with the opening goal inside 4 minutes – and it got even better for the Bucks as Mark Reed converted a penalty just 4 minutes later.

However, the visiting Blues managed to stem the flow and even managed to reduce the arrears 1 minute before the interval, courtesy of Nathan Mulligan, but they were never really able to recover from such a poor start.

AFC Fylde gained their first win as a Premier Division side, beating North Ferriby United with a single Harry Winter effort after 33 minutes.

Witton, who also came up at the end of last season, dropped their first points after being held to a 1-1 draw at Sandy Lane by Worksop Town, whose Steve Towers cancelled out Shaun Tuck‘s 38th minute opener for Albion just 6 minutes later.

Albion's Cheshire neighbours Nantwich Town made it two wins from three games after edging out newly-promoted Ilkeston FC 1-0 at the Weaver Stadium, thanks to a 55th minute Sean Cooke effort.

Chorley also managed a second victory, beating another of the new boys, Grantham Town, 2-0 at Victory Park with goals from Tom Ince after 47 minutes and Ciaran Kilheeney 8 minutes later.

The game between Stafford Rangers and Stocksbridge Park Steels ended 1-1 at Marston Road. Michael Fish gave Rangers a 17th minute lead but Liam Walshe earned Steels‘ first point of the campaign to date with a 73rd minute leveller.