Saturday's Premier Division review

Corby Town attracted a decent crowd of 525 as they entertained Matlock Town at Steel Park but most of them went home disappointed following a goalless draw instead of a win to start their bounce back.

Hednesford Town have undergone something of a re-build under new boss Liam McDonald and they started very positively.

In front of a crowd of 459, the Pitmen beat newly-promoted Spennymoor Town 3-1 at Keys Park. However, Craig Gott`s early fifth minute effort saw the Moors lead right until the hour-mark when Ashley Sammons equalised. Tristan Dunkley then gave the Pitmen a 79th minute lead which Gurjit Singh added to in the final minute.

Warrington Town, who came up with Spennymoor, enjoyed a good start by beating Stourbridge 2-0 at Cantilever Park with a brace for Danny Ventre after 18 and 36 minutes.

A brace from Blyth Spartans' Daniel Maguire helped the home side to a 3-1 victory at Croft Park over another of the newcomers, Coalville Town.

One of the favourites for the title, Blyth opened the scoring after six minutes through Maguire. Massiah McDonald drew Coalville level after 10 minutes before Sean Reid restored the home sides lead after 35 minutes.

Blyth were reduced to ten-men 3 minutes later when Nathan Buddle was sent-off for an off the ball incident but Maguire completed the scoring in the 75th minute.

Stafford Rangers, who came up as champions with Coalville, were forced to sit it out on the opening day as they has been due to play suspended Ilkeston FC.

Workington AFC, Mickleover Sports, Ashton United and Marine AFC all achieved notable away wins on the opening day.

The Reds were ahead at Dales Lane against Rushall Olympic inside five minutes through James Earl. Scott Allison eventually doubled the visitors` lead after 71 minutes but Alex Reid pulled one back six minutes later to make the final 15 minutes interesting.

Nantwich Town are fancied to do well this season but suffered a horror start by losing 3-1 to a Mickleover Sports side which only finished a point above the drop zone last term.

New signing Adam Baskerville gave the visitors a 31st minute lead that Theo Stair almost immediately cancelled out. But Jack Broadhead after 70 minutes and Andy Dales three minutes from time sealed a good opening day win on the road for the Derbyshire outfit.

Lee Gaskell, who helped Darlington 1883 to win this division last season, bagged a brace for his new side, Ashton United, as they won 3-1 at Frickley Athletic.

After Tyler Williams had given the Blues an early sixth minute lead, Gaskell sandwiched a Daniel Wilkins effort on 35 minutes in the 30th and 50th minutes.

Brady Hickey gave Barwell a 21st minute lead at Kirkby Road against the Mariners before Danny Mitchley equalised from the spot less than a minute later and then bagged the winner five minutes from the end of normal time.

Buxton were the day`s other winners, 2-0 at Silverlands against Halesowen Town, with goals from Nicky Walker on the half-hour mark and Brad Abbott on 66 minutes.

The two other opening day games finished all-square between Skelmersdale United and Grantham Town and Sutton Coldfield Town and Whitby Town.

Ben Hodkinson gave Skem an 18th minute lead at Stormy Corner against the Gingerbreads, whose Curtis Burrows earned a point in the 74th minute.

Dale Hopson put Whitby ahead as early as the eighth minute – and they held that until stoppage time at the end of the game when Dan O`Callaghan grabbed a late equaliser for the relieved Royals.

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