United lined up in a simple 4-4-2 formation with a familiar line up to what has been seen for most of preseason. Between the sticks was last seasons Division Two cup winning Goalkeeper Adam Bray with a back for of Tom Van Kleek, Ricky Selleck, Cam Harrington and Billy Jones followed by a midfield featuring the returning Jimi Jones and Neil Hailstone either side of young central partnership of Dave Akam. The United strikeforce for the afternoon was a mixture of youth and experience with just the 19 years between Damian Fallon and Jonny Ackroyd. The bench consisted of Sam Timms, Ben Oxley, Tom Goodgame and Ant Weight.

United started the game well with some good passing which had led to an early chance for Neil Hailstone but sadly his tame shot went wide of the mark before firing a thunderbolt into the keepers hands shortly afterwards. Despite the strong start it was the home side who took the lead with a fine break to beat the offside trap and the advancing Bray to slot the ball into the empty net for 1-0.

The game began to balance out in the middle of the park with Jimi Jones having a particularly good game down the left side of midfield. It was this side where the next united chance came from a lofted ball into the box was just slightly to high for Damian Fallon to find the leveller. Yardley began to press for a second goal which came soon after, a fine pass split the united defence before the ball was lofted across to the far side of the box for a simple tap in for the home side to double the lead. Only a matter of minutes later Yardley increased their advantage with a goal almost a spitting image of the first.

With United 3-0 down already in the first half, many would have written off a comeback which would surely take something special. However something special did happen, A long goal kick from Bray found Hailstone on the opposite corner of the pitch who managed to pull the ball back to Akam only to produce a dipping volley into the far top corner of the net. A very very early goal of the season contender.

Spirits were lifted and United began to feel that the come back was on and soon after a second almost came when excellent work from Fallon and Ackroyd allowed the second to shoot just wide. However minutes later the pair linked up again and this time Ackroyd made no mistake in slotting the ball in the net to bring the game back into sight.

Half Time 3-2

The rain and wind began to pick up and with that the game began to level out with no real chances being produced. Yardely tried to press but the balls played through were comfortable dealt with by the back four and Bray in goal. This attacking spell was followed by a fine free kick taken by Yardley to force Bray into a smart save across goal.

United began to press for a equaliser and the introduction of Goodgame on the right-wing made a considerable difference with his attacking flare as he began to get in behind and play the ball into the box for Fallon, Hailstone and Ackroyd. Despite Goodgame playing some good balls into the box, it was an over hit cross where United's third goal came from as Jimi Jones picked the ball up by the opposite corner flag, picking out Hailstone in the box to smash home into the roof of the net with minutes to go.

United were not content with a point and moments later Ackroyd had the chance to win the game after being brought down running through on goal. Calming picking up the ball and placing it on the spot, Ackroyd made no mistake in firing the ball to the keepers left, despite the keeper guessing the right way, the pace on the ball sent it across the line to record an unforgettable opening day victory.