Round-up: Vanarama National League North

Two goals in the first 9 minutes from Max Leonard put hosts Curzon Ashton in command on the opening day of the new season.

Niall Cummins eventually added a third for The Nash 8 minutes into the second half and Matty Crothers made it 4-0 with 5 minutes to go.

The dismissal of Mark Gray completed a miserable afternoon for Ferriby.

There was better news for Southport, who came down with Ferriby, as they inflicted a 4-0 defeat on Boston United at the Merseyrail Community Stadium.

Steven Schumacher put the Sandgrounders in front after 14 minutes and Liam Martin doubled new boss Alan Lewer`s side`s advantage 10 minutes before the break.

The new-look hosts made the game virtually safe 9 minutes into the second half when Curtis Jones added a third and the day got even worse for the Pilgrims when sub Gregg Smith was shown a straight red card 17 minutes from time following an elbowing incident.

To compound their misery the Pilgrims ended the contest with nine-men as Jack Broadhead left the field following a blow to the head.

Gary Roberts rounded things off with a fourth goal for Port in the 81st minute.

A Matthew Barnes-Homer goal and some last-ditch defending saw AFC Telford United start the new season with a 1-0 win at York City, who are favourites to make an immediate return to the National League.

The Bucks struggled for large parts of the 2016/17 campaign but Barnes-Homer`s goal a minute before the beak and some stout defensive work gave them a terrific start to the new season at Bootham Crescent.

Of the promoted sides, Blyth Spartans stormed through the National League North to claim the title, but were the only one of the three debutants to lose on the opening day.

Spartans went down 2-0 to Alfreton Town at the Impact Arena.

It was a game that ended in confusing circumstances.

Luke Shiels headed Alfreton in front with 7 minutes of the first half remaining.

Andre Johnson, who had to swap shirts with Craig Westcarr earlier in the game due to an error on the team sheet, headed in number two on 64 minutes.

The referee pulled up with an injury in the 86th minute and his senior assistant took the whistle.

But with no-one qualified in the ground to run the line, the final few minutes and extended period of added time were played with only two officials!

Blyth`s north-east neighbours Spennymoor Town enjoyed a tremendous opening day win against fancied Stockport County at the Brewery Field.

Moors took the lead in the 41st minute with a fine individual goal from David Foley.

Three minutes later, Foley almost doubled the home side`s lead, but his long-range drive is well saved by County `keeper Ben Hinchcliffe.

But the visitors had a great chance to restore parity 19 minutes from time when they were awarded a penalty when Connor Hampson was brought down in the box.

However, Dan Lowson saved Matty Warburton`s spot-kick and helped the Moors to a fine start to the campaign.

Leamington, promoted from the Evo-Stik Southern, enjoyed a good 2-1 win at the Northolme against Gainsborough Trinity.

Trinity had looked promising in pre-season under new boss Dave Frecklington, and took a 17th minute lead through Ashley Worsfold.

But they weren`t able to build on that advantage and Ahmed Obeng pulled the Brakes back on level terms on 33 minutes.

And the visitors took all three points thanks to Obeng's second, 18 minutes from time.

The bookmakers` favourites for the title, Salford City, attracted a crowd of 1,777 for the visit of Darlington FC to Moor Lane.

But the majority went home disappointed as the Quakers won 2-0.

The Ammies turned full-time in the summer and have an almost brand new squad of players – certainly few remain from the side that hammered Darlington 5-1 on the final day of last season.

David Ferguson proved to be the Quakers` hero with both goals.

He opened the scoring 2 minutes before half-time and then added a killer second as the game ticked into stoppage time at the end of the game.

Harrogate Town also turned full-time in the close season, and they certainly proved too good for visiting Nuneaton Town at The CNG Stadium.

A George Thomson header put Harrogate ahead after 17 minutes.

Then a Jordan Thewlis’ brace on 60 and 66 minutes put the home side out of sight.

Last season’s top scorer Simon Ainge then added to the scoreline with an 82nd minute penalty to finish off the scoring.

Kidderminster Harriers` young side suffered more agony against Chorley, who beat them in the play-offs last season.

Despite Harriers dominating the game for long period, they were unable to penetrate a solid Magpies` defence.

And they found themselves beaten by a Tyrone Williams own goal 12 minutes from time.

The game between Tamworth and Bradford Park Avenue looked like fizzling out to a 0-0 draw at the aptly-named EST Electrical Services Tamworth stadium, at The Lamb.

Thunder and lightning kept the crowd interested, but many had already left the ground when a 97th minute goal from Adam Boyes gave Avenue the points.

Brackley Town dominated much of their game at St James`s Park against FC United of Manchester, but ended up clingin on for a 2-1 win.

United’s Joel Senior cleared off the line from Lee Ndlovu as the first half ended goalless.

But the Saints finally made their dominance count taking the lead through Jimmy Armson in the 51st minute.
As the home side spurned numerous half chances to put the game out of reach a rare foray by United brought a fine cross by Connor McCarthy that Jason Gilchrist finished off expertly to level the scores after 74 minutes.

But within 3 minutes Brackley were back in front as debutant Andy Brown headed in Shane Byrne’s neat cross.