Huge crowd sees Leek kick off new campaign with win

LEEK Town began their Premier League with a 2-0 defeat at FC United.

- Phil Sherwin

The home side were backed by almost 1,700 fans and they went close in the 14th minute when Adam Le Fondre set up Charlie Ennis only for him to shoot wide.

Four minutes later they did find the net though when the experienced Le Fondre floated an effort over Dino Visser after beating the offside trap.

They doubled their advantage six minutes into the second half when Jay Fitzmartin was on target with a shot via the far post.

It was almost 3-0 in the 58th minute when Rudy Misambo headed the ball against the post.

In the West Division, Kidsgrove Athletic got their league campaign off to a flier with a 2-0 home win over Wythenshawe Town.

A tight first half ended goalless, but Grove broke the deadlock in the 66th minute as Ollie Finney scrambled home a rebound just ten minutes after coming on asa substitute.

The points were sealed a minute before the end when joint player manager Matt Rhead headed home. Wythenshawe then had Kobe McWilliams sent off.

Nantwich Town started well with a 2-1 victory at Bootle.

‘The Dabbers opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Callum Saunders stooped to head the ball past ‘keeper Tony Thompson from a Byron Harrison cross.

He doubled their lead on the hour mark tapping home from close range after being set up by Aiden Roxburgh.

Bootle pulled a goal back in the 72nd minute when a corner produced a huge scramble in the visitors’ defence and former Port Vale striker Dior Angus thought his shot had crossed the line, but Ben Dufton-Kelly made sure by volleying the rebound home.

Newcastle Town put up a brave fight in front of over 3,600 fans at Bury, but eventually succumbed 1-0 to a late winner.

Bury had a chance in the fifth minute but ‘keeper Adam Whitehouse saved a Connor Pye effort. Castle had a couple of half chances and were worthy of the goalless first half.