DEFENDING Division One champions Northallerton Police maintained their 100 per cent start to the season last Sunday with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Catterick Village. Ben Darville made the breakthrough just before the break but Village levelled it up within a minute of the resumption through John Ford. Despite not being at their fluent best, the Police were still able to seal a second consecutive victory on the hour thanks to a David Cooke penalty.

The only other team with two wins from two matches is Robert Thompsons, who won 4-2 at Stokesley SC. Early goals from Dan McCalmont and Alex Karvounis appeared to have set Thompsons up for a comfortable victory but the hosts were level by the break thanks to efforts from Lee Bowen and Michael James. The game could have gone either way in the second period but it was the visitors who clinched another three points thanks to a brace from Stu Rose, both of which were created by the good work of Josh Holmes.

There was an early season heavyweight clash as Henleys Athletic met Sportsmans FC. Mikey Stevens fired the Sporties into an early lead but Henleys struck back either side of the break with goals from Tom Keegan and Adam Pearson to take all three points.

Bedale Coopers collected their first points of the season as they came from behind to beat ten-man Brompton-on-Swale 3-2. In a clash between two of the promoted sides, Tom Ptak saw red for Brompton after just five minutes but the ten-men went ahead inside half-an-hour through Marshall Thorogood. That was the way it stayed until the final twenty minutes when Paul Nicholson brought Coopers level. Brompton led again with a goal from Martin Spink but the numerical disadvantage cost them in the final ten minutes as a penalty from Johnny Reyner and a strike from Jamie Richardson gave Coopers the points.

Broughton Hibs are off the mark as they won 3-2 at Travaux FC. Frank Moran put the visitors ahead from the penalty spot after just two minutes but after Pete Hurry had brought Travaux level, it took goals either side of the break from Chris Thorogood and Joe Thompson to seal the points for the Hibs. Scott Ryan grabbed a late consolation.

The early leaders in Division Two are Stokesley Wanderers, who won 4-2 at The Fleece. James Harrison and Lee Holby put the visitors 2-0 up at the break and while Nathan Wakeling and Ben Wood both scored for The Fleece in the second half, a brace from Kieran Watson, the second of which came from the penalty spot, gave Wanderers a second win of the season.

AFC Beckside also have a 100 per cent record after a first half hat-trick from Mark Swanwick helped them to a 3-2 win at West Tanfield. The hosts replied in the second half through Carl Greenwood and a Jack Richmond penalty.

There was a real thriller at Osmotherley Rangers where visitors Cowtons won 9-5. Wayne Kennedy and Mark Sims both scored four times for a rampant visiting side, while Jimmy Muir was also on target. Andy Ranson, with two, Jay Hibbins, Matty Ranson and Dean Tate replied for Rangers.

Golden Lion, Romanby, kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 victory at Brompton Juniors;Tom Chapman with the only goal in the second half.

Jolly Minister lead the way in Division Three as goals from Lee Johnson and Mark McNicholas gave them a 2-0 victory at Oddfellows Arms, who are yet to register a goal this season.

Standard FC also have a 100 per cent record after they beat visitors Knayton 4-2. Dan Waind and Phil Sharpe put the hosts 2-0 ahead at the break but Matt Fishburn halved the arrears on the hour. However, Waind added his second before Dean Greig sealed the points ten minutes from time. Nick Cressey grabbed a late Knayton consolation.

Romanby FC opened their season with a 2-1 win at Masham thanks to goals either side of the break from Kris Frost and Paul Fyfe.

Vale of York also enjoyed a good away win, 2-0 at Northallerton Albion; Nick Paterson and Ben Addison getting the goals.

The final game of the week saw Workies win 6-1 at Thirsk Town. Mike Beales scored four times for the visitors while Kevin Timmons and Dave Tennant sealed a comfortable victory.