ECCLESHILL United may have a fairly new-look side, but they started the new Northern Counties East League Premier Division season with the air of a team who can push for promotion once again.

A play-off defeat on penalties was all that stopped the Eagles from earning a place in the Northern Premier League East Division for this season, but they have already put down an early marker this season.

They secured a thrilling 5-3 win over Winterton Rangers to go top of the league, as new boy Devante Newman-Morton plundered a hat-trick.

He scored a first-half brace to put his side 2-1 up at the break, but Winterton levelled the game on the hour mark.

Kelvin Bleau put hosts Eccleshill back in front with 20 minutes to go, Fernando Moke made it 4-2, before Newman-Morton completed his hat-trick with a late penalty.

A last-gasp strike from the visitors failed to put a dampener on the day.

Silsden also picked up three points on the opening day, with an early own-goal gifting them a 1-0 win at Bottesford Town.

Thackley, with new signings Amir Berchil and Prince Attakorah in their ranks, managed a 1-1 draw at home to Golcar United.

The Dennyboys went 1-0 up after 21 minutes through a superb long-range strike from Aiden Chippendale, but they were quickly pegged back.

The hosts were controversially denied a late penalty, and had to settle for an opening day point.

Albion Sports also picked up a point, drawing 0-0 at Barton Town.

In Division One of the NCEL, an own goal put Campion in front against Brigg Town, but they were pegged back by an 87th-minute equaliser, and had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Meanwhile, Steeton started the North West Counties Football League First Division North season in style, a Luke Baldwin hat-trick helping them to a stunning 6-1 win over Cleator Moor Celtic.

Brighouse Town were beaten 5-1 by a Bradford City XI in a friendly on Friday night, while Liversedge continued their pre-season with a 2-2 draw against Consett.

Farsley Celtic's pre-season ended with a thumping 5-1 defeat to Scunthorpe.