Goal Fest On Opening Day... The Comet Stevenage Sunday Football League got under with an amazing 67 goals in just 10 games, writes Darren “Statto” Jones (statto@cssfl.info, www.cssfl.info).

Premier Division:
John Vooght (2), Adam Furness, Piers Le-Grand and Carl Fletcher were on target as Dun Cow began well with a 5-2 win over Broadhall. Jason Milburn and Jordan Davis replied.

MBDA had a comfortable win on their return to the top flight. A Gary Hodgson brace and one from Craig Sutherill saw them into a three-goal lead. Stevenage Outsiders pulled one back before the break through Tony Steele and then put some pressure on after the break, but their finishing wasn’t up to scratch. Ashley Kersey then headed his first of the season before a debut goal for substitute Andy Yates completed the scoring at 5-1 for MBDA.

After going 16 games without a point in the Premier Division two seasons ago, Lifestyles put that right on day one this time. A comfortable first-half saw Jack Worbey nod in the opener from a corner, James Tizard double the advantage with a fine effort before Ryan Ellis’ well placed header made it three. A spirited Breachwood Lions team stretched them after the break, getting a goal back through Roger Pearson and putting on plenty of pressure. However, Lifestyles withheld them and Joe Chilton made sure of the points with a neat turn and finish to make it 4-1.

Division One:
A Broadhall inter-club derby ended all square. Halfway through the first-half, Mark Chalkley gave Broadhall Athletic the lead against the run of play with an excellent finish into the bottom corner. They could’ve added to it, but just before the break, Joe Lee fired over deep cross, which Cam Bridger did really well to head in at the back post to pull AJS Tyres Broadhall level. Garry Smith's header quickly restored Athletic's lead before AJS levelled again, but not before Lee unleashed a 25 yard thunderbolt off the post. Rowan Hedley capped a fine debut display with a superb 20 yard curling shot to make it two-apiece. On the hour, AJS led for the first time when skipper Matt Dimond went on a great run and crossed for Jon Myers to score from close in. The end of the scoring came when Dimond diverted a header over his own ‘keeper Ryan Warner to tie up the scores at 3-3. It was Andy Lee’s turn to hit the post, this time from fully 30 yards, with Athletic ‘keeper Michael Clark beaten. It ended in an honourable and diplomatic 3-3 draw.

Two new sides met and served up another thriller. Renz Rangers shot into a two-goal lead before Marquis of Lorne South stormed back. Firstly, Josh Watson pulled one back, then Ryan Briars found the top corner from 20 yards to level. A Watson penalty and one from Kyle Colley put them 4-2 up. Rangers hit back and levelled the game, Marc Arnott (2), Warren Foreman and Danny Willshire their scorers. In a final twist, Lorne won it 5-4 with a magnificent solo goal from Kwame Hoyte.

Another new side won their opener. AP Construction had a bare XI, but took the points thanks largely to a Frazer Triggs hat-trick. Tom Hillard and Reece Arbon grabbed the others as they saw off JML Plumbing & Heating 5-3. JML replied through Matt Evans, Danny Russell and an own goal.

Barry Hazelton was another hat-trick hero, some typical striker’s finishes after his Old Barclavians team-mates had set him up. Adam Presland and Dave Warwick also netted in the 5-3 win over Coopers United. Dave Brown (2) and Wayne Hall replied.

Division Two:
Almond Tree started their game brightly and after some early pressure, Danny Bowey flicked home the opener. A flowing move saw Rich Stewart tuck the ball home for a second. The third came when a long throw-in was knocked down by Lewis Essam for Anthony Lloyd to finish superbly from 20 yards. David Thomas added another goal with his first touch. Brackas did get on the scoresheet when Richard Griffiths headed home following a corner. The final nail saw Stewart round the ‘keeper to make it 5-1.

Richard Veness put Benington in front when he smashed home at the back post from a corner, but that’s as good as it got for them as The Bank stormed back. Firstly, Tony Phelan fired home from 30 yards. Just before the break, Terry Lock stole a march at the near post and poked them in front. Benington had some decent chances to level, but fell two behind when Mike Phelan scored. Dan Welch’s late header made it 4-1.

Kingdom Athletic’s debut in the league saw them take the lead on the stroke of half-time when Kieran Ellis headed in a Lee Hillard corner. The second-half started scrappy, before Ellis headed his second at the far post after Conor Byrne floated a free-kick over. 2Dry pulled one back, then levelled two minutes later with a great goal into the top corner. Kingdom’s defending at set-pieces was their downfall as 2Dry romped away to a 5-2 win. Collins Nwanazia (2), Christian Goodyear, Ian Levy and Rob Smith scored their goals.

Results (Sunday 1st September):
Premier Division: Broadhall 2 Dun Cow 5, Lifestyles 4 Breachwood L 1, Stev Outsiders 1 MBDA 5.
Division One: AJS Tyres Broadhall 3 Broadhall Ath 3, AP Construction 5 JML Plumbing & H 3, Coopers U 3 Old Barclavians 5, Renz R 4 Marquis of Lorne Sth 5.
Division Two: Almond Tree 5 Brackas 1, Bank 4 Benington 1, Kingdom Ath 2 2Dry 5.

Fixtures (Sunday 8th September):
Premier Division: Bedwell R v Nirankari (Canterbury), Breachwood L v Stev Outsiders (Breachwood), MBDA v Broadhall (Barclay).
Division One: Broadhall Ath v JML Plumbing & H (Shephalbury), Coopers Utd v Renz R (Canterbury), Marquis of Lorne Sth v Old Barclavians (Peartree), MKS Carpentry v AP Construction (Canterbury).
Division Two: 2Dry v Benington (Alleynes), A1 Trophies v Kingdom Ath (Shephalbury), Brackas v Bank (Peartree), LeisureLeagues.com v Almond Tree (Peartree).