WANDERERS kicked off their Salisbury & District Premier League campaign with a well-deserved 1-0 home win over RGV Shrewton at Victoria Park.
Liam McConnell's new-look side included four of their summer signings in the starting line up. But it was one of the old guard, Gaz Hooker, the club's record goalscorer, who netted what proved the winner on 33 minutes, finishing after being put through by debutant Adam Jones. The game should have been sewn up before half time with Hooker going close on a number of other occasions.
The second half saw another dominant display from the hosts, Ashley Melvin and Jones both going close and Russell Parsons shaking the upright. Despite a late surge by the former Wilts Premier outfit, Wanderers stayed strong.
Porton Sports completely dominated the first half and raced into a 3-0 lead at South Newton & Wishford. Mike Budd finished a great team goal, his turn and shot beating the goalkeeper at the near post. He pounced from a corner to make it two, then Si Roberts started and finished a move, running from centre back to get on the end of a cross and steer home the third.
Newton scored twice, both from corners, in quick succession after the break. Porton managed to weather the storm and Ady Hale calmed their nerves with a stunning 20-yard volley into the top corner. The hosts grabbed a late consolation.
The two newly-promoted sides, Nomansland & Landford and Devizes Inn, met on Saturday and played out an entertaining 1-1 draw. Harry Crisp's remarkable 35-yard lob put Nomansland in front, then Devizes deservedly equalised in the second half.
In Division One, Durrington WMC won 2-1 at Deacon Alms, Jon Lane opening the scoring for the away team after 15 minutes. Tom Symes capitalised on a goalkeeping mistake to level, and Deacons were unlucky not to take the lead shortly after when skipper Kev Burke hit the bar from 25 yards.
Lane's second goal won it for Durrington before the break, sliding home a rebound after Ben Eastmond saved. They could even afford the luxury of a David Whitakker penalty miss.
RESULTS
Saturday, September 7
Salisbury & District League (sponsored by the Salisbury Journal) – Premier Division: Alderbury 4 Stockton & Codford 3; Nomansland & Landford 1 Devizes Inn 1; South Newton & Wishford 3 Porton Sports 4; Tisbury United 2 Durrington Dynamos 3; Wanderers 1 RGV Shrewton 0. Division One: Chalke Valley 2 Boscombe Down Rec Club 2; Deacon Alms 1 Durrington WMC 2; Enford 3 South Newton & Wishford Res 0; West Harnham 1 Stockton & Codford Res 4.
Sunday, September 8
Salisbury & District League (sponsored by the Salisbury Journal) – Division One: FC Bulford 9 Wilton Club 0; Chilworth Manor Sports 5 Harlequins SC 3; Laverstock & Ford P-P AFC Amesbury Athletic. Division Two: Amesbury Townies 5 Laverstock & Ford Res 0; Barford Hornets 6 Cedars Bar 1; Figheldean Rangers 3 Farley United 1; Huntsman Tavern P-P Royal George; Red Lion (Chisenbury) 1 Alderbury 4.
FIXTURES
Saturday, September 14
Salisbury & District League (2.30pm) (sponsored by the Salisbury Journal) – Premier Division: Nomansland & Landford v South Newton & Wishford; RGV Shrewton v Stockton & Codford; Tisbury United v Devizes Inn; Wanderers v Alderbury. Division One: Chalke Valley v Whiteparish; Deacon Alms v Enford; Durrington WMC v South Newton & Wishford; Stockton & Codford Res v Boscombe Down Rec Club; Value Cars v West Harnham.
Sunday, September 15
Salisbury & District League (sponsored by the Salisbury Journal) (11am) – Division One: AFC Amesbury Athletic v Harlequins SC; Railway v FC Bulford; Wilton Club v St Pauls Club. Division Two: Alderbury v Amesbury Townies; Cedars Bar v Royal George; Farley United v Barford Hornets; Laverstock & Ford Res v Figheldean Rangers; New Sarum v Huntsman Tavern; Whiteparish v Red Lion (Chisenbury).
Wednesday, September 18
Salisbury & District Saturday League (6.15pm) (sponsored by the Salisbury Journal) – Premier Division: Alderbury v Porton Sports; Durrington Dynamos v Devizes Inn; RGV Shrewton v Tisbury United; Stockton & Codford v South Newton & Wishford; Wanderers v Nomansland & Landford. Division One: Boscombe Down Rec Club v Enford; Deacon Alms v Stockton & Codford Res; South Newton & Wishford Res v Chalke Valley; Value Cars v Durrington WMC; Whiteparish v West Harnham.
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