Non-League and Academy football writer

On the first Saturday of the new Southern Amateur Football League season, the following piece is my round-up of Senior Divisions 1 to 4, of the SAL. In Senior Division 1, Civil Service would lose 3-1 at home to Dorkinians, on the opening day of the season. Two strong sides who now find themselves in the same division following this summer’s league merger, for Dorkinians on the day their goalscorers were Phil Robinson, Alasdair Wise and Oliver Goddard. The winners of this seasons edition of the Stuart Hyde Trophy, Honourable Artillery Company impressively won 5-0 (at home) over Hammersmith in their opening game of the Senior Division 1 season. Also, at Tolworth Sports Ground, another one of the favourites for the title, in Nottsborough, won 5-1 at home to Thorntonians.

Continuing with Senior Division 1, and finally, NUFC Oilers started the season well, with a 3-0 home win over Rob Roy Rovers. On to Senior Division 2 now, and what a start to the season it was for Enfield Old Grammarians, who won 8-0 at home to Reigatians. In Chiswick, Old Meadonians (Phil McNicholas would get their goal) would draw 1-1 with Old Finchleians, and Old Pauline would also draw 1-1 at home, this time to Old Hamptonians. The final Senior Division 2 match of Saturday, was won 3-2 (away) by Alleyn Old Boys, against Old Salvatorians. 

Bank of England started off their Senior Division 3 season with a good 3-2 win over last seasons Senior Division 1 SAL side Actonians Association, on Saturday. North London side Old Ignatian would win 3-1 at home to Sinjuns Grammarians, and Old Wilsonians, courtesy of goals from Freddie Inglis (x3) and Teddy Farmer, would beat Winchmore Hill 4-2. Finally, Senior Division 4 saw four matches take place on Saturday afternoon. Civil Service 2nds lost 4-0 at home to Alexandra Park, while HSBC lost 3-0 at home to Polytechnic. Nottsborough 3s won emphatically (5-0) at home to Honourable Artillery Company 2nds. And the final game from my first SAL round-up of the season, saw Old Meadonians 2nds win 4-2 at home to South Bank Cuaco.