North West Counties League Division One South

Abbey Hulton United 0

FC Oswestry Town 4

FC OSWESTRY Town kicked off their campaign in the 2019/20 season with a fine second-half showing which blew Abbey Hulton away.

The Park Hall side made the trip to Staffordshire to face the Stoke-based side and it was a very even first half, but Town shaded it by simply having the best chances.

There were a couple of headed chances that fell to Dave Howarth and a snapshot from new signing Chris Sargeant, but it was all square at the break.

The second half saw the home team put on the pressure for a good 10 minutes.

But Town held firm and they were rewarded on 58 minutes when Town’s Mike O’Reilly broke the deadlock with a cool finish.

On 70 minutes, Lewis Jarman slotted home after an over-hit back pass, and 10 minutes later, Howarth smashed home number three from a tight angle while it was down to Jarman once again to tap in at the back-post after a knockdown from Steve Evans.

The TNS assistant boss was making his competitive debut for the Blues and helped keep a clean sheet.

Oswestry play their first home match of the season at Park Hall on Saturday against Alsager Town having travelled to Eccleshall on Wednesday.

St Martins 3

New Mills 1

St MARTINS kicked off their new campaign with a fine comeback win at home to Derbyshire side New Mills.

It was the visitors who drew first blood as Taylor Maguire proved to be deadly from the spot on 12 minutes but the Saints were not behind for long when long-time striker David Easthope equalised on 27 minutes to send it all level into the break.

St Martins made the perfect start to the second half when Jamie Hands scored two minutes after the break while Easthope sealed the victory two minutes before the hour.

Saints were due to play Ellesmere Rangers last night in a north Shropshire derby.

Ellesmere Rangers 0

Barnton 3

Rangers were beaten by Cheshire newcomers Barnton at Beech Grove on Saturday with three goals in 45 minutes.