It may still be early days in the 2017/18 Toolstation NCEL season but clubs are already jostling for position in a bid to make early statements of intent.

Hemsworth Miners Welfare and Handsworth Parramore head the table in the Premier Division that is still very much in its infancy but they will both be buoyed by their second victory of the campaign.

Richard Collier, Samuel Jones and Lloyd Henderson netted for Hemsworth in their 3-0 home win over Barton Town whilst Handsworth were 4-2 winners at Parkgate, racing into a four-goal lead through Jonathan Froggatt, Oscar Radford, Aaron Moxam and Michael Harcourt before the hosts pulled a couple back with strikes from Daniel Harris and Tamir Nasir.

Comeback of the day came from Albion Sports who were 3-1 down at Staveley Miners Welfare going into stoppage time before a Thomas Ellis own goal gave them hope and then Daniel Facey struck a dramatic equaliser to give the Lions four points from their opening two matches.

They are joined by Pickering Town who won 1-0 at Pontefract Collieries, Callum Terrell with the game's only goal on 36 minutes.

The division's highest scoring match came at Mitton Group Stadium at Dennyfield where Thackley picked up their first victory with a 5-3 triumph over visitors Harrogate Railway Athletic.

Joseph Hughes and Keisolu Omolokun got two each for the Dennyboys who claimed the win in the final ten minutes of the game.

There were also braces for Ollie Fearon and Brett Agnew as they helped AFC Mansfield beat visitors Bottesford Town and Bridlington Town win at Hall Road Rangers, respectively, both 2-1.

There were single goal wins for Athersley Recreation at home to Penistone Church, Luke Walker with the vital strike, and for Worksop Town at home to Maltby Main, Mark Simpson scoring in front of the day's biggest crowd of 375.

There was misery, though, for Clipstone who are bottom of the early table after a 6-0 loss at Garforth Town, Lee Turner claiming a hat-trick for the home side for their first points of the season.

The game was delayed during the second half due to a serious leg injury to Clipstone defender Rob Paling - all at the NCEL wish him a speedy recovery.

And, Rainworth Miners Welfare and Liversedge picked up their first point of the campaign with a 1-1 draw at Kirklington Road, Jack Waddle's strike for the Wrens cancelled out late on by Devonte Morton for Sedge.

In Division One, Shirebrook Town and Knaresborough Town made it three wins out of three to set the early pace.

Joe Naylor opened the scoring for Shirebrook at Eccleshill United before a Kieran Watson penalty doubled their advantage before half-time, Jonathan Irving pulled one back for the hosts on 55, and then Declan Brewin and Kyle Lilley ensured a 4-1 victory for Rob Camm's side.

Knaresborough, meanwhile, defeated visitors Worsbrough Bridge Athletic, 3-1, Brad Walker's opener cancelled out by Bradley Kerr for the visitors before Blaine Hobson and Benjamin Cohen made certain of the win in the second half.

Ashley Flynn scored four for Yorkshire Amateur to take his tally for the season to nine as his side won 6-1 at home to Nostell Miners Welfare to give them seven points from their opening three games, Fernando Moke and Daniel Naidole also netting for the hosts whilst Martin Smith claimed a consolation for their opponents.

Ollerton Town won 3-2 at Winterton Rangers to give them maximum return from their two matches so far, Kyle Ludlow and Lewis Bingham's second-half goals ultimately claiming the victory.

It was also the same scoreline for Dronfield Town who came from 2-1 down to beat visitors AFC Emley, Christian Savage levelling on 62 minutes before Thomas Fairweather got the winner.

Jason Stokes struck twice as Rossington Main prevailed 4-0 at home to East Yorkshire Carnegie whilst there were 1-0 victories for Campion and Retford United, both with early goals.

Daniel Cunningham scored for Campion at FC Bolsover and it was Jack Siddall who claimed the points for Retford at home to Grimsby Borough.

The division's only draw came at the Hawthorns where Brigg Town and Swallownest shared four goals, the away side going two-goals up through Jack Watts and Jamie Hopkins before a double strike from Cameron Hill restored parity in the last twenty minutes.

Waiting for the ball to drop during Maltby Main's 1-0 defeat at Worksop Town in the NCEL Premier Division on Saturday. (Picture: Rob Waite)