Page 11 - Yate Town FC v Hanwell Town 130822

The bookmakers` favourites for the Pitching In Southern League Premier Division South
title, Hayes & Yeading United, suffered defeat on the opening day of the 2022/23 season.
Paul Hughes` side were beaten 2-1 by another side fancied to do well again this campaign,
Metropolitan Police. Herson Alves gave the hosts the lead from the penalty spot after 12
minutes. Immediately after half-time, Cole Brown pulled Hayes & Yeading level. But on 82
minutes, youngster Jasper Mather won it for the Met.
Bracknell Town, runaway winners of the Isthmian League South Central title and then
switched by the FA in the summer, have also been tipped to go well but had to make do with
a point from a 2-2 Bottom Meadow draw with another fancied outfit, Weston-super-Mare.
Jordan Esprit after 5 minutes and Seb Bowerman 8 minutes later had the Robins two-up.
Crucially, Dayle Grubb reduced the deficit from the spot 4 minutes before the break. And
then just as it looked as though the home side were going to begin life at Step 3 level with
a victory, sub Ben Griffith popped up with an equaliser for the Seagulls 7 minutes into
stoppage time.
The division’s other newcomers had mixed fortunes.
Plymouth Parkway, tipped by many to make it back-to-back promotions after winning the
Division One South last season, were also held to a 2-2 draw at Bolitho Park by Chesham
United. Jeanmal Prosper gave the Generals a 17th-minute lead that Jordan Edwards
doubled on 52 minutes. But Ben Seymour bagged a brace in the 63rd and 80th minutes to
salvage a point for the Devonians.
However, there was no joy on the opening day for the other three promoted teams.
Hanwell Town, who came up from the Isthmian South Central with Bracknell, lost 3-1 at
home to Truro City, whose Will Dean gave them an early 4th-minute lead. Tyler Harvey
added a second right on half-time and debutant Ben Adelsbury made it 3-0 in the 55th
minute, with sub Adam Laaref reducing the arrears on 68 minutes with his first touch.
Division One Central play-off winners North Leigh lost 2-1 at the Avenue Stadium to
Dorchester Town. Only 4 minutes had gone on the clock when Alfie Stanley gave the
Magpies a lead that he doubled after 23 minutes. Ben Brown headed the Millers back into
the game 8 minutes into the second half but the hosts hung on for the opening day spoils.
Division One South play-off winners Winchester City were beaten 3-0 at home by Poole
Town. Goals from big summer signing Wes Fogden and Declan Rose had the Dolphins 2-0
up before Toby Holmes added a third in the second period.
The day’s other winners were Gosport Borough, Swindon Supermarine, Yate Town
and Salisbury. Gosport edged out reprieved Merthyr Town by the odd goal in five at
Privett Park. Harvey Bradbury gave Boro a 33rd-minute lead that Tom Handley cancelled out
right on the stroke of half-time. Abdulai Belle-Baggie restored Boro’s lead on 54 minutes and
added a second and the home side’s third after 67 minutes. An own goal 5 minutes later
gave the Martyrs hope, but Gosport hung on.
Swindon Supermarine enjoyed a good 3-0 success at the Memorial Playing Fields against
Hartley Wintney. A James Harding penalty gave `Marine a 20th-minute lead and the Row
suffered another blow on 38 minutes when they had Anis Nuur dismissed for a reckless
tackle. Just 3 minutes later, Tom Sharpe made it 2-0 and Conor McDonagh added a third in
the 81st minute.
Yate began with a 1-0 success at Silver Jubilee Park against Hendon. A goal from debutant
Brandon Smalley after 37 minutes eventually proved enough for the Bluebells.
Salisbury also secured a one-goal victory on the opening day at the Ray Mac against
Beaconsfield Town. en Thomson scored the only goal 6 minutes into the second half.
The game at the Ian Moorcroft Stadium between Tiverton Town and Harrow Borough
finished 0-0.