CAMPION failed to make an early statement in this season’s NCEL as they fell to a bruising opening day defeat at their local rivals.

They travelled to face off with Silsden on Friday night in the Premier Division’s curtain-raiser, but it would be the hosts who stole the bragging rights.

Goals from Kayle Price, Luke Brooksbank and Casey Stewart were enough for the Cobbydalers to claim an early-season scalp as they cruised to a 3-0 victory.

With both sides having high aspirations of getting promoted this campaign, it was key for the two teams to get off to a flyer, and Silsden did exactly that.

A first half Price free kick was followed by Brooksbank and Stewart strikes in the second 45 to round off a comfortable evening for the Cobbydalers.

Elsewhere in the NCEL Premier Division, on Saturday Thackley got off to a winning start to kickstart their season off in a positive manner.

They hosted Beverley Town, and a goal either side of the break from Finn Donovan resulted in the Bradford outfit collecting a 2-1 victory and the three points in the process.

His first strike came in the 18th minute when a ball was played in from the right-wing. After taking a nasty bobble, Donovan was on hand to lash a strike in off the Beverley crossbar.

Daniel Earl levelled from the spot for the visitors with seven minutes of the first half remaining.

Donovan’s second half winner came in dramatic fashion, as he launched a long ball forward from the halfway line, and the ball took an almighty bounce to loop beyond the reach of Beverley’s goalkeeper.

Finn Donovan's (red) brace was enough for Thackley to win their openerFinn Donovan's (red) brace was enough for Thackley to win their opener (Image: Martin Taylor)

The Dennyboys held on for their first three points of the season.

Eccleshill United were involved in a four-goal thriller at home to Rossington Main as the two sides played out a 2-2 draw.

The hosts raced into a two-goal lead through Joshua McKiernon and Harvey Booth, but the visitors struck back just before the interval in a huge blow to Lee Elam’s side.

It proved to be the turning point within the fixture, as Ross Hannah scored his second goal of the contest to rescue Rossington a draw on the road.

As for Albion Sports, it wasn’t the thriller their fans would have hoped for on opening weekend.

They travelled to Barton Town but neither side could find the breakthrough, despite a frantic ending to the fixture, with Albion having to settle for a point and a 0-0 draw.

In the NWCFL, both Route One Rovers and Steeton got their competitive First Division North campaigns underway.

However, the two local sides had to settle for opening day disappointment.

Route One hosted Garstang but fell to a 2-0 defeat with goals coming from Ellis Hancox and Luke Barmby.

As for Steeton, after a below-par campaign last time around, they started in the same manner on Saturday as they were comfortably beaten 3-0 at Maine Road.

Yousif Yousif, Jean-Jacques Kirongozi and Daniel Bishop were the scorers for the hosts in what was an extremely comfortable afternoon.