Newly-promoted Corby Town got off to the perfect start as a Blue Square North club by beating Harrogate Town 3-0 at the Rockingham Triangle on the opening day of the 2009/10 season.
In front of a decent crowd of 505, the Steelmen`s historic scorer at the club`s highest level of football was Jon Turner after 23 minutes.
Steve Towers doubled the hosts` lead 8 minutes after half time and the game was made safe for the Southern League champions when Leon Mettam added a third just 4 minutes later.
Gloucester City, who came up with Corby and were controversially made to play in the northern section, went down to a 3-2 defeat at Haig Avenue – home of fancied Southport.
However, the Tigers were the first to make their mark when Mike Symons made it 1-0 after just 5 minutes.
Matty McGinn equalised 8 minutes later and then goals from Earl Davis on 32 minutes and Ciaran Kilheeney after 52 turned the game firmly in Port`s favour, although a Sam Ellis effort on 70 minutes made it a rather more uncomfortable final 20 minutes than most in the 780 crowd wanted.
UniBond League champions Eastwood Town looked as though they were on their way to an opening day win at Coronation Park against Northwich Victoria after taking a 7th minute lead through a Danny Holland penalty.
The majority in the crowd of 768 were getting ready to celebrate when Simon Grand equalised for Vics 8 minutes from the end.
Ilkeston Town, who accompanied the Badgers up from the UniBond, went down to a 2-0 defeat at the Butcher`s Arms to Droylsden, whose Alex Brown opened the scoring just past the hour-mark and Paul Lloyd doubled their lead with 5 minutes remaining.
Droylsden`s Tameside neighbours Stalybridge Celtic were the opening day`s biggest winners, seeing off Redditch United 4-1 at the Valley Stadium.
Sean Hankin opened the scoring by giving Celtic a 21st minute lead that Matty Barlow (pictured) quickly added to 7 minutes later.
A Lorcan Spittle own goal right on the stroke of half time virtually killed the game off as a contest, although the Reds did manage to pull one back through Jack Byrne on 69 minutes only for Barlow to add his own second and Stalybridge`s fourth with 16 minutes to go.
Fancied Fleetwood Town got off to a good start, winning 2-1 at Solihull Moors, with Nick Rogan giving them a 29th minute lead and Jamie Milligan adding a second 9 minutes later.
Junior English pulled Moors back into the game on 62 minutes, but Fleetwood held firm for the spoils.
A goal from Adam Webster in the 66th minute earned Hinckley United all three points from their long trek north to Workington, while a goal 15 minutes from time by Nathan Arnold gave Hyde United victory at Ewen Fields against Stafford Rangers,
Troubled Farsley Celtic got off to the worst possible start following their summer of off-field worriesby going down to a 3-0 Throstle Nest defeat to another fancied side, Alfreton Town.
Robert Pell gave the visiting Reds the lead 5 minutes before the break and then Liam Hearns on 73 minutes and Dominic Roma 10 minutes from time sealed a comfortable win for Nicky Law`s side.
Robbie Dale gave Blyth Spartans the perfect start against AFC Telford United at the New Bucks Head in front of the day`s biggest crowd in the division, 1,847.
He netted as early as the 3rd minute. But the visitors couldn`t hold on and Steve Torpey equalised 6 minutes before the break and the game eventually ended 1-1.
It ended all-square too at Rivacre Road between Vauxhall Motors and Gainsborough Trinity – another side tipped to do well this season.
Steve Charles` men twice came from behind to Alan Griffiths` penalties in the 28th and 59th minutes with Luke Beckett on 63 and Wes Parker in stoppage time.
