Following the recent resignation of Rowde from the league it means that just 11 sides will battle it out for the silverware in Division One and one of the teams predicted to do well this term Pheasant FC made a comprehensive start to their dream of a third successive promotion.

After finishing top of division two last season, Pheasant entertained North Bradley expecting a tough match but with Bradley not being at the races Pheasant hit 12 unanswered goals to take the spoils in a match that should have been harder to win than it was.

Rob Stephens started the ball rolling, Tom Jones claimed four of the 12, Nat Auckland bagged a hat trick, Dan Clements and Josh Clements claimed one apiece while Garry Lock who only flew into Gatwick Airport a few hours earlier made up the dozen with a brace.

Bremhill View Social Club 4, Atworth United 2

Bremhill View Social Club began life at Beaversbrook Sports Facility in Calne with a 4-2 win over visitors Atworth United who with a bit more luck and better finishing could have taken something from the game.

Mark Smith put Bremhill in front and Luke Bennett pounced on a weak clearance from Atworth keeper Craig Rees to double Bremhill’s lead before a second from Smith made it 3-0.

Ross Menghini pulled a goal back for Atworth and the deficit should have been cut to the odd goal but Rob O’Harrow missed a good chance with just the keeper to beat.

Bremhill led 3-1 at the interval and when they scored within minutes of the restart through Mark Smith who completed his hat trick the game should have been safe but that wasn’t the case as Atworth bossed proceedings and missed further chances with both Sean Fordham, and O’Harrow going close before and after Ross Menghini scored his second for the visitors midway through the half that proved to be just another consolation as Bremhill’s defence held firm to see out the game in style.

FC Bradford 2, AFC Calne 1

FC Bradford’s 2-1 home success over AFC Calne was their first opening day win since the 2004/05 campaign when they beat Old Road Tavern 3-1.

Bradford’s manager Pete Collier expected his team who were promoted at the end of last season to face a baptism of fire and with his team trailing to Ryan Kelleher goal at the break he may have anticipated the worse but Sam Jordan’s goal just after the restart brought the scores level before Jake Jordan fired home what proved to be the winner on 70 minutes.

Bradford’s Steve Bryant had further chances to make the winning margin look a little more convincing but despite missing a couple of sitters his blushes were spared as his team hung on for both points.

FC Colerne 0, Foresters Arms 7

FC Colerne began life in division one with a 7-0 defeat at the hands of Melksham based Foresters Arms. Colerne went into the game hoping to claim their first home victory since December 2007 and despite being tipped to upset the odds Colerne couldn’t live up to the expectations as Foresters chopped them down to size as they showed the so called experts that they are not as weak as they made them out to be.

Martin Williams gave Foresters the lead on five minutes, a three goal burst from Tom Bentley within 25 minutes made it 4-0 and that was how it stayed until half time, second half goals from Marc Harewood, Greg Wilmot and new signing Jamie Treweke wrapped up a comfortable win for Pat Johnson’s side who had seen a number of their so called high profile players leave in the close season.

Miller Sports 1, Bradford News 6

Bradford News traveled to relegated Miller Sports expecting the worse as six of their players had failed to turn up for their opening day battle with Tim Knight’s side, but despite their setback prior to kick off the Newsmen came out on top with a 6-1 win.

Karl Sharratt making his league debut for Bradford opened his account for his new side on 15 minutes with a ferocious strike from distance that is already an early candidate for goal of the season, within a minute Bradford had made it 2-0 with another stunning effort this time scored by Mark Maguire.

Steve Roberts played a huge part in the build up to Bradford’s third that came on 35 minutes, his shot cannoned off the post before being bundled home by an unfortunate Miller defender.

Steve Badger gave Miller hope of getting back into the game when he reduced the arrears just before half time but his goal proved to be just a consolation as the second period saw Sharratt thump home his second of the game from close range to make it 4-1, Roberts neat finish made it 5-1 before Sharratt rolled the ball home down the slope at the Beeches to complete his own treble and the scoring for the newsmen.