Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division: Albion Sports 1 Athersley Recreation 0

ALBION Sports began their league season with a narrow but hard-earned 1-0 win at home to Athersley Recreation last night.

The campaign started for Kulwinder Sandhu’s men with an FA Cup extra-preliminary round tie and a midweek replay, followed by a free weekend, which delayed their opening league fixture.

They made up for lost time, however, with last night’s victory at Throstle Nest.

Albion were under a little pressure early on but they soon settled to dominate possession and create chances in the first half.

Sports broke the deadlock in the 38th minute when Aron Heywood collected Temour Khan’s through ball before chipping over the visitors’ keeper from just outside the area.

But the home side could have been made to pay for wasted opportunities when Athersley hit the bar with a long-range shot on the stroke of half-time.

After the interval, it was a different story as the as the visitors forced all the openings but Albion hung on for the three points.

Campion kept their unbeaten start in Division One going with a home draw on an historic night for the club.

Their home fixture against Glasshoughton Welfare was the first under floodlights at Scotchman Road.

The recently-installed pylons illuminated their first evening action in which James Bicknell’s side netting a second-half equaliser to claim a point from a 3-3 draw.

After Scott Eastwood had opened the scoring in the 13th minute from the penalty spot, and Matthew Walker had doubled Campion’s lead before the midway point of the first half, Bicknell’s side looked set to continue their 100 per cent start to the season.

However, Glasshoughton hit back through Callum Harrison and Richard Collier to be level at the break, and edged in front when Andrew Horbury scored just four minutes into the second half.

But Campion’s special night was not to be ruined by a loss as Eli Hey made it all-square.

Eccleshill United have also enjoyed a good start to the league but were knocked out of the League Cup at the second round stage.

Home advantage counted for nothing as the Eagles lost 4-1 to Hall Road Rangers.

The visitors’ skipper Ash Dexter headed home from set-pieces either side of the break and, although Eagles substitute Marcus Edwards halved the deficit, Chris Spinks netted a brace in the last eight minutes to take Rangers through.