Six of the best as Tigers put the bite on Rovers

The Tigers wasted no time in adapting to their new surroundings as they blasted Rovers with a quick fire three goals inside the opening 15 minutes, going on to take a commanding 5-1 interval advantage.

Inflicting most damage was hat-trick hero Will Spruce who was well supported by single efforts from Dan Lloyd-Hickman, Harry Martin and substitute Joe Norbury. The two replies were netted by Connor Clifton and Sam Jones.

It was also a winning baptism in the new Paycare Development Division for former Bilston junior league outfit Bloxwich Rangers under-21s.

They entertained FC Premier under-21s and came from behind to take maximum points with a well earned 4-2 triumph. Ethan Mannion was the star of the show for Bloxwich with an impressive treble, with Reece Berry adding the fourth. Responding for FC Premier, who had led 2-1 at the break, were Kasen Peace and Reece Griffiths.

There was no stopping AFC Sporting Gornal in this section as they soundly defeated Norton Canes 9-0, the goals flowing from Jordan Robinson with four, Stuart Brown (two), Jamie Bradley, Ravel Wallace and Bradley Hackett.

It was far closer when AFC Springfield entertained another league newcomer in Coven United, the former eventually taking the spoils 4-2.

Coven, who had led 2-1 early in the second period, eventually missed out on first day glory as Springfield celebrated with goals from Callan Wight, Joe Scott, a superb individual effort from Josh Cater and Jack Ball.

In the Redbox Signmakers Beacon Championship, defending champions Dynamo Dudley opened up with a 6-3 home success against last season's fourth place finishers Claregate Park Rangers.

Having taken an early 2-0 lead, Dynamo were pegged back by a single reply from Claregate just before the interval.

However, Dynamo upped the tempo in the second half and gave their goal tally an early boost as Rion Francis-Mills led the way with a fine brace, supported by Ryan Cartwright, Joe Lawley, Steve Jones and Alan Parkes. Best in reply were Toby Masoha, Rodney Williams and Nathan Ratcliffe.

Shere Punjab Wolves, who will hope to improve on last term's third place, opened with a hard fought 2-0 home triumph over Codsall Station, who were denied by the woodwork late in the game.

Harpreet Sangha gave Shere a fifth minute breakthrough and they eventually saw off battling Codsall with a second goal from Arun Sanghera.

Club official Amrik Sidhu was delighted with Shere's first three pointer of the season. "The introduction of the league's new roll on, roll off substitution rule also worked very well," he said.

FC Premier team boss Stewart Ilsley praised referee Andy Aston's "common sense" approach to their clash against newcomers Cannock United, the former hitting back after conceding an early goal to emerge 6-2 victors.

Elliot Millward turned the match around for FC Premier with three goals, as Hayden Bowen, Jack Wooldridge and Kyle Thorpe made it six of the best. In reply, Daniel Mayo struck a double.

"It was a well contested game and it was so pleasing to see the referee using his common sense," said Ilsley.

In the remaining fixture on day one, Jordan Kelly gave Beacon Lions (formerly AFC Vale) a single goal interval advantage. However, visiting new boys Sedgley & Gornal United turned the game on its head with a three goal second half response.

Jack Kelly stole the limelight with a well taken brace for S & G, who also had Brad Lewis finding the target.