There was opening day joy for all three of the sides promoted into the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division as they all tasted victory on Saturday.

Courtney Hastings will go down into Basford United's record books as their first ever goalscorer in the league as he struck twice late on, once from the penalty spot, to secure a 2-0 victory at Lincoln Moorlands Railway.

Last season's Division One champions, Albion Sports, started off as they ended the previous campaign with a 4-3 victory at the team who finished as runners-up in the Premier Division, Brighouse Town.

Danny Brown had put Sports ahead on five minutes before Brighouse levelled through Tom Matthews prior to the interval but two goals from Daniel Facey helped the visitors to the win in the second period.

Athersley Recreation also celebrated their move up into the top flight with a 2-0 home victory over Armthorpe Welfare, Kieron Scargill and Lee Bennett with their goals.

A late winner from Josh Eastwood saw Thackley beat Garforth Town, 2-1, with the home side tasting defeat in the first game following their relegation from the Evo-Stik League.

Retford United and Bridlington Town were the biggest winners of the day with the Badgers beating visitors Barton Town Old Boys, 5-1, with a Liam Wilkin brace helping them on their way whilst Bridlington had four different scorers for their 4-0 victory at home to Staveley Miners Welfare, Craig Hogg, Scott Phillips, Joel Sutton and Tom Fleming all getting on the scoresheet.

Brian Cusworth celebrated his first game as Maltby Main's new player-boss with a hat-trick in a 4-2 win over Heanor Town at Muglet Lane.

Tom Adams netted two penalties for Pickering Town at Worksop Parramore to claim a 2-0 win whilst Parkgate won 1-0 at Nostell Miners Welfare and Tadcaster Albion were 3-2 victors at Winterton Rangers.

And, two goals in a minute from Mark Farthing and Matt Savage secured a 3-1 win for Long Eaton United over visitors Liversedge.

In Division One, Ashley Flynn and Danny Frost scored Shaw Lane Aquaforce's first ever goals in the NCEL as their strikes in the opening half-hour claimed a 2-0 home victory over Appleby Frodingham.

Fellow new boys Dronfield Town went down 3-2 at Rossington Main with Brandon Fallon grabbing a double for the home side.

Leighton Matthewson converted a penalty for Hall Road Rangers in their first match following relegation from the Premier Division but they went down 2-1 at Clipstone, courtesy of two late first-half strikes from Nathan Millington and Jamie Tryner.

Teversal are the early leaders after their 3-1 win at Selby Town, Oliver Wood (2) and Kristian Whitcombe with their goals, whilst there were also victories on their travels for Grimsby Borough who won 3-2 at Eccleshill United, Worsbrough Bridge Athletic who beat Hemsworth Miners Welfare by a single goal and AFC Emley who defeated Yorkshire Amateur, 4-3.

Marc Cooper netted both Cleethorpes Town's goals in their 2-0 home win against Louth Town whilst Danny Boulton's strike was enough for Bottesford Town in their single goal victory over visitors Knaresborough Town.

And, there were opening day goalless draws for Dinnington Town at home to Hallam and for Pontefract Collieries at Shirebrook Town.

Ashley Flynn strikes home Shaw Lane Aquaforce's first ever goal in the NCEL against Appleby Frodingham. (Photo: whiterosephotos.co.uk)