The 2025/26 JCP Construction NCEL Cup in memory of James Hitchcock got underway in midweek with all 22 Division One sides involved in eleven ties in the First Round.

And, as always, there was plenty of drama, none more so than at Sheerien Park where, despite four goals for the hosts by Nathan Perks, Athersley Recreation were beaten by visitors Maltby Main in a nine-goal thriller.

Jordan Buckham and Shay Evans-Booth gave the away side a two goal lead by the seventeenth minute before Perks grabbed a first-half hat-trick to put the Rec ahead, only for Enzo Guarini to restore parity just before the interval.

Perks' penalty made it 4-3 to the hosts before Evans-Booth, who had been goalkeeper in Maltby's previous game but was here playing up front, got his second and his side's fourth on 70 minutes.

And, just as the game looked to be destined for a shoot-out, Charlie Auty's dramatic injury time own goal gave Main a 5-4 victory and progression into the Second Round.

It was one of seven ties that took place on Tuesday with Nostell Miners Welfare also winners on their travels as goals from Joseph Taylor, Lance Friedrick and Kenneth Tafireyi ensured a 3-2 win at Armthorpe Welfare.

Alfie Charlotte and Michael Dunn scored for the hosts with Tafireyi strike sealing the tie just seconds after Welfare had drawn back level with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining.

Selby Town were 1-0 winners at Dearne & District, Edward Dry with the decider eleven minutes from time, whilst Crowle Colts' first ever match in the competition saw them go through 3-1 at the expense of visitors South Leeds.

Kian Humphriss' opener for the hosts was cancelled out by Tyler Bussue just before the half-hour mark with Henry Cook and Ben Johnson scoring in the last twenty minutes to send them through although Warren Carr halved his side's deficit to make it a nervy end to the encounter for both sides.

A double from Joe Snowden earned Ilkley Town a 3-1 home victory over Appleby Frodingham, Kevin Gonzalez with their third whilst Eugene Ugenio struck for the visitors.

And, there were 1-1 draws for Harrogate Railway Athletic at home to Wakefield AFC and for Glasshoughton Welfare at Goole AFC.

Harris Eggleston had put the Rail in front midway through the first half before an equaliser from Akeel Francis led to penalties that Harrogate won 5-4.

And, Christian Acquah levelled for Glasshoughton after Iwan Heeley's spot kick had put their hosts ahead and, in the resultant shoot-out, it was Goole who prevailed 2-1 to book their place in the next stage.

The remaining four First Round games were played on Wednesday night with home wins for Doncaster City, Route One Rovers and Winterton Rangers.

Mason Barlow's penalty was added to by Benjamin Dyer as Doncaster defeated Louth Town 2-0 whilst Zak Khan's second hat-trick in successive games helped Rovers beat Brigg Town 4-1, their other goal coming from Bubacary Conteh Samateh after Joshua Batty had given the Zebras an early lead.

Winterton defeated Club Thorne Colliery 4-2, Max Doughty's double along with one each from Harry Griffin and Charlie Bibby earning them the win with all of their goals coming in the first half.

Lewis Walker had opened the scoring from the spot and Ryan Ellison added a second for the visitors after the interval.

Meanwhile, Worsbrough Bridge Athletic drew 2-2 with visitors Leeds UFCA, Finley Durkin putting them ahead before Adam Jones and Ify Ofoegbu gave the NCEL new boys a half-time advantage.

Keelan Grist's 69th minute strike ensured a spot-kick shoot-out that Leeds won 5-4 to give them a winning start in the competition.

Photo: Max Doughty scores Winterton Rangers' second goal in their 4-2 home win over Club Thorne Colliery in the First Round of the JCP Construction NCEL Cup in memory of James Hitchcock. (Picture: Paul Tong)