Newman reaches scoring milestone in Ashton victory

NEWMAN Ball fired his 500th goal for the club as last season's Hanham Minor League champions Ashton Boys opened their Under-12 campaign with a 7-1 victory over Yate United.

It was not all plain sailing for Ashton as their opponents battled hard in the first half and scored from the penalty spot.

New signings Elliot Gardner and Josh Bracey both hit shots wide before Ashton moved up through the gears with a hat-trick from debutant Gardner and further goals from hot-shot Ball, who was Ashton's star man, Dan Payne, Bracey and Kelvin Kalunghi.

Bitton got their season off to a flying start with a 6-0 Division I victory over Rockleaze Rangers.

A left-foot strike by George Neill, and a thunderbolt free-kick by Harvey World put them firmly in command, and two quickfire goals from Gianni Porcaro doubled their advantage.

Their superiority was confirmed with two late strikes, the first a fine shot from distance by Ben Snell and the second a smart finish by George Shore.

Stoke Lane kicked off their first-ever 11-a-side season with a fine 4-1 home Division I victory over Bristol City JSC.

Mitchell Bombroff floated in the perfect corner for captain Joe Cook to head them in front. Lane continued to press and they were rewarded with a second goal following some skilful play from Matt Bryant.

City upped their game in the second half and deservedly got a goal back. But Lane keeper Cole Pierre was in outstanding form and his team restored their two-goal advantage when Max Butcher dashed down the left and found Jack Griffin unmarked in the box to coolly slot home.

Butcher was rewarded for his hard work when he prodded home the final goal in the dying seconds.

Longwell Green Lions and Yate United Colts served up an entertaining 2-2 draw in Division II.

Luke Harding struck two fine long-range goals for Longwell, but Yate twice his back with equally good finishes.

Dan Tancock shone throughout for Longwell, as did their defence of Matt Pope, George White, Dan Sparks and Nathan Dolan.

Hallen breezed to a 10-2 victory at Nicholas Wanderers, despite falling behind early on.

Within a minute, Harvey Corp found Cameron Dyte free to level, before good play from the in-form Jack Grew set up Joe Hodson to score.

The same marksman grabbed the next two goals to complete a fine hat-trick and it was soon 5-1 when the busy Alfie Taylor set up Dyte to net with a fantastic 25-yard lob.

Dyte turned provider when he laid on a neat pass to Salar Rahbari Namin to make it 6-1, before Wanderers hit back with a great goal. Hallen replied swiftly, Hodson creating space to tee up debutant Luke Henderson for his first goal for the club.

After the break, Hallen struck three more times. Skipper Tom Wookey played a superb ball to Billy Oldfield to slot home, while Henderson capped a terrific debut by completing a fine hat-trick and a star man performance with two further goals after great play by Jacob Dumble and Hodson.

Winterbourne United made a flying start to their opening Division II fixture by taking a two-goal lead inside the first 10 minutes through Kieran Jackson and Kieran Slade. But Keynsham hit back to level by the half-time before going on to win 4-2.

Ashton Boys A recorded a 4-2 home win against Henbury Colts in Division III.

Sam Rogderson set up Charles Hendy to put them in front with a cool finish and a searing drive by Billy Evans, after good work from Archie Jefferies, made it 2-0.

Henbury kept battling and pulled one back through Harry Reynolds, only for Jefferies to restore Ashton's two-goal cushion.

Henbury again pulled one back through Lewis O'Flatterly, but Ashton finally put the game to bed with a Milan Tamraker effort ten minutes from time.