The 2023/24 Toolstation NCEL season began on Friday night with a 2-1 victory for Albion Sports at Silsden AFC in the Premier Division.

A crowd of 520 saw Jake Maltby open the scoring for the hosts towards the end of the first period but the Lions restored parity through Hass Gorji just before the interval.

Robbie Fox then grabbed the winner in the 78th minute with an opening day contender for Goal of the Season to give the visitors a winning start to the campaign.

Campion and Rossington Main were playing their first games in the Premier Division after their promotion from Division One last season but, even though they both scored three goals, they had varying fortunes.

Patrick Sykes' early opener was added to by a quickfire brace from Joseph Colley with around a quarter-of-an-hour remaining as Campion won 3-0 at Frickley Athletic.

Ross Hannah's double added to Jordan Buckham's early strike for Rossington but they were beaten 5-3 by visitors Barton Town, courtesy of a Thomas Waudby hat-trick and one each from Craig King and Harrison Coley.

Tadcaster Albion's return to the NCEL from the Northern Premier League began in defeat as an Aidan Chippendale brace saw the Brewers go down 2-0 at Thackley.

And, Pickering Town suffered the same fate in their opening match since their move across from the Northern League as they were beaten at Knaresborough Town, courtesy of goals from Nathan Cartman and Cameron Bedford.

Jamal Stewart struck twice for Eccleshill United as they won 2-0 at Bottesford Town whilst Oliver Fearon's brace helped Hallam to a 3-1 victory at Garforth Town.

Kieran Ryan netted the only goal of the game as Penistone Church prevailed at Golcar United and the scoresheet was not troubled at Maltby Main as their meeting with Emley AFC ended in a nil-nil draw.

Life in the NCEL for Wombwell Town began in perfect fashion as the promoted side were 6-0 victors at home to relegated Yorkshire Amateur in Division One.

Jed Rashid scored twice whilst there was one each for Gadhafi Kiwanuka, Brodie Cooper, Matthew Thornton and William Harling with three of their goals coming in the final minutes of the game as the Ammers wilted.

Clay Cross Town also began their NCEL adventure with a victory, Reece Clegg and Liam Riley netting in a 2-1 win at Ollerton Town, Ben Southwell with an equaliser for the hosts.

Retford United celebrated their return to the league with a 3-0 home win over Wakefield FC, James Eyles' double added to late on by Igor Mlynarski but Louth Town were beaten 3-1 by visitors Harrogate Railway Athletic.

Daniel Mutch, Alex Clark and Luca Bolino wrote their names on the scoresheet for the Rail with Reece Southwood scoring a late consolation for the home side.

There was a hat-trick for Liam Owen as Nostell Miners Welfare ran out 4-1 victors at home to Dronfield Town whilst player-manager Brett Agnew struck an injury-time winner for Brigg Town as they beat visitors Retford FC 3-2.

Ross Duggan netted twice for Parkgate in their 4-1 home win over Armthorpe Welfare and a Jak Kelly penalty separated the sides as Horbury Town left Shirebrook Town with a 1-0 victory.

And, there were away wins for Glasshoughton Welfare, Beverley Town and Selby Town.

Nathan Perks and Harrison Rowley were amongst the scorers for Welfare as they beat Athersley Recreation 5-1, Oliver Baldwin and Benjamin Hinchliffe secured a 2-0 victory for Beverley at Staveley Miners Welfare.

And, Selby triumphed 3-1 at Swallownest, courtesy of Harry Clapham, Edward Dry and James Danby.

Photo: Kieran Ryan nets the only goal of the game as Penistone Church start their Toolstation NCEL Premier Division campaign with a victory at Golcar United. (Picture: mm10_sports_photo)