The opening weekend of the 2025/26 Macron NCEL season brought big crowds and high expectations for the next nine months in the Premier Division and Division One with plenty of excitement in the first round of matches.

It all began on Friday night as Maltby Main hosted NCEL new side and near neighbours Doncaster City in Division One.

Ross Duggan was the first scorer of the new campaign as his tucked away a 41st minute penalty to give the home side the lead before Doncaster levelled midway through the second period with a spot kick of their own.

Mason Barlow converted to restore parity that only held for six minutes as Mohammed Ibrahim made sure the spoils went the Miners' way in a 2-1 victory.

Saturday saw a full programme of Premier Division matches with the two sides who came down from Step 4, Liversedge and Sheffield, meeting at the Clayborn Ground.

And, it finished a point apiece as Benjamin Atkinson's early double for the hosts was matched by goals for Alexander Hardwick and Nathaniel Crofts to claim a 2-2 draw.

Last season's Division One champions Horbury Town started life in the Premier Division with a hard-fought goalless draw at Knaresborough Town.

The other promoted side, Wombwell Town, were edged out 1-0 at Thackley, Paul Walker with the 53rd minute decider for the Dennyboys.

All six victories in the division were tight, all won by a single goal, with Tadcaster Albion notching up a 3-2 home win over Beverley Town.

Charlie Owen and Kieran Greenway gave the Brewers a 2-0 advantage by the 50th minute but McCauley Snelgrove's spot kick and a goal from Nathan Hotte brought the visitors back level.

But, Spenceer Harris popped up in stoppage time to restore the home side's success in Ryan Qualter's first game in charge.

Jack Normanton and Patrick Sykes were the scorers, the latter from the penalty spot, as Campion won 2-1 at Golcar United, Ryan Wadsworth had struck an equaliser for the hosts also from twelve yards.

Frickley Athletic were 2-1 home victors over Albion Sports, Luis Afonso-Ferreira and Thomas Alngohuro with their goals before a late consolation for the Lions through Nathan Cartman.

Idris Atta's penalty ensured a winning start for Eccleshill United as they won by a single goal at Bottesford Town.

And, it was the same scoreline for Penistone Church as Leon Hurles-Brook struck the 34th minute decider for them at home to Handsworth.

Meanwhile, there were 1-1 draws for Barton Town at home to Rossington Main and for Pickering Town at Parkgate.

Fraser Papprill equalised for Barton after Paul Sherburn's opener for Main whilst Alex Wonham secured a point for Parkgate after they had gone behind to a 41st minute strike by George Brown.

In Division One, there were nine matches on Saturday with Wakefield AFC the biggest victors as they beat hosts Glasshoughton Welfare 4-0.

Rhys Thomas and Akeel Francis struck towards the end of the first half and they had to wait until the 86th minute to stretch their advantage as Ashley Flynn and then Tidiane Diallo secured the points.

A Josef Turner own goal, a Sam Clothier penalty and a late strike from Alex Burton earned Harrogate Railway Athletic a 3-0 home victory over Worsbrough Bridge Athletic.

And, Route One Rovers started life in the NCEL with a 3-0 home win against fellow new boys Leeds UFCA, a Zak Khan hat-trick easing them to an opening weekend victory.

Crowle Colts are another debutant in the competition and they began well with a 1-0 win at Ilkley Town, Henry Cook finding the net in the 24th minute.

Adam Morrison, Harry Charlotte and Alfie Charlotte were the scorers for Armthorpe Welfare in a 3-2 home victory over Brigg Town.

Their decider came in stoppage time in a topsy-turvy game that saw home keeper Ralphy Smethurst put into his own net for the away side's opener and Reece Moody also netted for the Zebras to make it 2-2.

Lewis Walker was the matchwinner for Athersley Recreation as they won by a single goal at Athersley Recreation whilst Selby Town overcame hosts Dearne & District 3-1.

Jamie Austin equalised for the home side after Ryan Gothard had broken the deadlock with Declan Reacher and Troy Greening then making sure the Robins left the Century Cladding Community Welfare Ground with all three points.

There were varying fortunes for the two sides relegated from the Premier Division as Winterton Rangers were 1-0 winners at Nostell Miners Welfare, Charlie Bibby with a late decider.

But, Goole AFC went down 2-0 at South Leeds, courtesy of second half goals from William Law and Eoin Schofield.

The opening weekend ended with a Sunday afternoon game in Division One.

Louth Town and Appleby Frodingham took part in a Groundhop event that also included teams from the GCE Hire Fleet Ltd United Counties League.

And, it proved to be a five-goal thriller as the visitors drew back level after going 2-0 down, only for the hosts to take the points with a winner thirteen minutes from time.

Harvey Lidgard and Will Pennell gave Louth the advantage by the interval but Joel Chapman scored and a penalty from Joshua Fraiwald made it 2-2.

Then, Harry Jacklin popped up to grab a winning start for the White Wolves.

Photo: Spencer Harris celebrates scoring Tadcaster Albion's last-gasp winner in their 3-2 home victory over Beverley Town on Saturday in the Macron NCEL Premier Division. (Picture: Keith Handley)