Wins for Whittlesey Athletic, Blackstones, Bourne and Deeping Rangers and March Town, but Holbeach United beaten and Peterborough Northern Star and Pinchbeck hit for six

After a goalless opening 44 minutes, strikes from Jack Carter (2), Ben Cowles and Matthew Simpson gave Whittlesey a 4-2 win over Birstall United Social at Feldale Field.

And Blackstones made a great start under new manager Mark Baines. Will Bird scored twice and Robbie Ellis and a visiting player also netted in a 4-2 home win over Aylestone Park, although goalkeeper John Swales was named man-of-the-match.

Tom Russell scored both goals in Bourne’s 2-1 win at Sileby.

Deeping Rangers were the sole local winners on the opening day of the United Counties Premier Division season. Goals from Dan Flack and Matt Carter secured a 2-1 home success over Harborough Town who had a men sent off in the third minute.

Peterborough Northern Star were crushed 6-0 at a slick Loughborough University side. They will try and bounce back against Boston Town at the Branch Bros Stadium tomorrow (September 8, 7.45pm).

Holbeach United host Deeping Rangers on Wednesday when Pinchbeck United visit Sleaford Town.

Former Posh youth team player Jack Friend scored both goals as March Town opened their Division One North season in the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties League with a 2-1 home win over Great Yarmouth.

Results

UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Premier Division: Anstey Nomads 2, Holbeach United 1 (Tinkler); Deeping Rangers 2 (Flack, Carter), Harborough Town 1; Loughborough University 6, Peterborough Northern Star 0; Pinchbeck United 0, Rugby Town 6.

Division One: Blackstones 4 (Bird 2, Ellis, og), Aylestone Park 2; Sileby 1, Bourne 2 (Russell 2); Whittlesey 4 (Carter 2, Cowles, Simpson), Birstall United Social 2.

EASTERN COUNTIES LEAGUE

Division One North: March 2 (Friend 2), Great Yarmouth 1.