THE NEW Wensleydale League season kicked off last Saturday and Richmond Mavericks went straight to the top of the table with a 10-0 win at Askrigg United. Sean Clarke opened the scoring after 18 minutes and the match was over as a contest before the break as Phil Stirling, with a brace, Scott Fenney and Clarke again made it 5-0. It was a similar story in the second half as Clarke completed his hat-trick while Stirling added two more. David Andrews and substitute Lewis Burgess then completed the rout to make it a perfect opening day for the Mavs.

Champions Hawes United quickly discovered how hard defending the title can be as were held to a 2-2 draw by Catterick Garrison Football Centre. Steve Calvert opened the scoring with the fastest goal of the new season, just 48 seconds from the kick off, and when Jonathon Champion then doubled their lead with less than a quarter of an hour played it looked like being a comfortable start of the champions. But the Garrison, who are expected to be one of the teams to beat this season, turned it around in dramatic style. Shane Constantine halved the arrears two minutes into the second period and in the third minute of stoppage time, Michael Birdsall grabbed a dramatic equaliser.

Colburn Town, who will much-fancied to challenge for the title again, opened their campaign with a 5-2 victory at Spennithorne and Harmby. Liam Reeves gave Spenni the lead inside two minutes but Colburn were level by the break through Liam Hall. Scott Greenway then restored the hosts advantage ten minutes into the second period but half time Colburn substitute Tom Sweeney took centre stage with a sixteen-minute hat-trick. Stu Murray then sealed the points in the closing stages.

Unicorn FC, champions in 2013, began the new season with a hard-fought 4-2 home victory over Reeth. Gavin Armstrong opened the scoring for the Unicorn with a penalty after just three minutes but Steven Bainbridge and Steve Allison turned the match in Reeth's favour within half an hour. However, Paul Nicholson scored either side of the break to put Unicorn back in front before Tom Keegan sealed the points.

Carperby Rovers got off to a great start with a 5-1 success at Richmond Town Academy. The match was over before the break as a brace from Kalem Stanger and further efforts from John Pickard and John Sullivan gave Rovers a 4-0 advantage. Daniel Mckenzie pulled one back for the Academy early in the second period but Sullivan completed the scoring on the hour with his second.

League new-boys Bedale Town Reserves opened their campaign with a 1-0 victory at Catterick Rovers; Matty Libera scoring early in the second half to give Bedale a dream start.