In what was a moment manager Adam Halford had been itching for all summer, Scraptoft Unted finally kicked off their maiden District League Division 2 season against an Old Aylestone Reserves side who they had came up against in pre-season and were hoping for much more of a better showing.

Despite missing the likes of Lovelle Knox, Aaron Wall, Brad Sanders and Josh Harris from the squad, Halford still had 15 players to choose from for his opening squad, handing the enigmatic Aran Leacock the armband for the league opener.

Scraptoft started brightly, with their dynamic midfield trio of Kyle Nichols, Lewis Sault and Lewis Thompson linking well causing the Aylestone midfield to be running round in circles.

The opening goal would come from some intensive pressure on the Aylstone back line, resulting in George Smith, feeding the tireless Joe Tailby from the right of the box, for the winger to fire in the opening goal.

Scraptoft grew in confidence and quickly found their second, Lewis Sault feeding Aran Leacock from the left, with the no.45 firing into the net to double Scraptoft's advantage with a trademark finish.

With utility man Matty Holdom in goal, Scrappy were hoping to keep the chances limited for the opposition, but a mix-up at the back allowed Aylestone to nick a goal back, quickly after falling 2-0 down.

Scrappy would quickly get their two goal cushion back as George Smith notched his first of the season again after a great ball into the channel from Jake Cherry who had a solid game at right back.

The opposition linesmen clearly felt it necessary to look at damage limitation and Leacock's pace in behind saw him flag on many an occasion, only to be overruled by the referee as Leacock raced clear for his second of the afternoon to make it 4-1.

Scraptoft were in complete control of the game at this point and it wasnt long before the 5th goal found its way in to the net.....and how!

Kyle Nichols found Lewis Sault around 30 yards from goal, the midfielder took a touch before firing a bullet of a shot into the far corner, further demonstrating that the Scraptoft midfield three will be a force to be reckoned with this season.

Shortly before the break Scraptoft notched their 6th of the afternoon, the hardworking George Smith released Tailby who in Eden Hazard fashion, cut inside to fire home his second, giving manager Adam Halford plenty of food for thought at the break.

The second half was a little more relaxed from the home side, the heat playing its part in taking it's toll on the fitness. However they were still creating chances, the pace of Leacock down the left causing problems and with Kyle Nichols playing slightly more advanced his link play with the forwards became a little too difficult to handle.

Goal number 7 came courtesy of a Joe Tailby corner, swung deep to the far post, for Lewis Thompson to climb highest to power home a much deserved header, the midfielder putting in an all-action display on his debut.

In credit to Old Aylestone they had a bit more of a go in the second half, the match ultimately had been won, with Scraptoft having a far superior side out and the killer touch infront of goal, Aylestone to their credit did score a 2nd after what can only be described as some lax defending.

Manager Adam Halford introduced Jarrod Brown into the action, replacing the worn out George Smith, shortly after replacing Woz Henderson and Lewis Sault with Manny Bains and Danny Siddons.

Brown had a chance almost instantly to notch himself a goal, but his effort went over the bar, moments later he had another chance, which was tipped around the post by a good save from the keeper, who to be fair to him, spent more time fishing the ball out of his net than anything else.

There were several chances towards the Aylestone goal, Kyle Nichols went close, as did Tailby and Leacock, before Kyle Nichols went through 1v1 with the keeper to see the on-rushing defenders challenge send the ball into the net to make it 8-2.

Another goal for the visitors as Marcus Besson was caught short, but that consolation goal was in vain as Kyle Nichols turned home the 9th of the afternoon for the Blues from a corner in the final moments to give Scraptoft an opening day victory.

Scraptoft United

Holdom (GK)

Cherry
Simpson
Henderson (Bains 65')
Besson

Thompson
Sault (Siddons 60)
Nichols

Tailby
Leacock
G.Smith (Brown 60')

Man of the Match: Kyle Nichols - An absolute powerhouse in the middle of the park, went about his business and got his goal deservedly so at the end of the game.