Saturday`s Division One Central Round-Up

A look at the opening day games.

It was a mixed opening day of the 2021/22 season for the new teams in the Pitching In Southern Football League Division One Central.

WARE had a great start with a 5-1 hammering of KIDLINGTON at Wodson Park.

Leigh Rose bagged a brace for the hosts, with Rechan Esprit, Robbie Buchanan and Liam Dulson also on target, and Declan Peart netting the Greens` consolation.

Two of the newcomers met at the Arena where HARLOW TOWN beat HERTFORD TOWN 2-1 with goals from Alex Read after 8 minutes and Craig Alcock 11 minutes later – Sam Faniyan replying 13 minutes from time.

FC ROMANIA had a very good 2-1 win at the Premier Plus Stadium against ST NEOTS TOWN.

Anthony Edgar gave the new boys the lead a minute before half-time and then star signing Jonny Edwards made sure of the win with a second with 3 minutes to go, although the Saints did threaten a late response when Arel Amu pulled one back in stoppage time.

COLNEY HEATH lost 2-0 at Creasey Park against AFC DUNSTABLE, whose BJ Christie opened the scoring after 23 minutes and 10 minutes later, Kwon Hepburn added a second.

It was a tough debut for WALTHAM ABBEY, who found themselves 5-0 down at half-time at Capershotts to fancied BEDFORD TOWN.

Connor Tomlinson gave the Eagles a 15th minute lead that Joe Steele doubled 5 minutes later, with Dan Walker immediately adding a third a minute after that.

Then late loan signing from Peterborough United, Hameed Ishola, showed his quality with a brace in the 34th and 38th minutes to make it a nap hand for the visitors.

Nathan Koranteng reduced the deficit 5 minutes after the break, but the Abbots were reduced to ten-men just past the hour-mark when substitute Mark Twumasi was sent-off.

A plethora of bookings for both teams followed and then Olu Coker pulled a second back for the ten-men with 6 minutes remaining.

Callum Crook`s 38th minute effort eventually proved to be a winner for NORTH LEIGH at home to KEMPSTON ROVERS, who had new boss Scott Dash in charge.

BIGGLESWADE FC`S first league game at Bedford ended in a 3-0 defeat to another fancied side, BERKHAMSTED.

Alie Bangura gave the Comrades a 13th minute lead that Lucas Kirkpatrick eventually added to just past the hour-mark.

Lewis Toomey added a third with 12 minutes to go.

AYLESBURY UNITED were disappointing in losing 2-0 at the Meadow to DIDCOT TOWN.

Seth Humphries gave the Railwaymen a great start with a goal after just 4 minutes.

Louis Joyce sealed victory with a second for the visitors in the 57th minute.

The other two matches both ended in 1-1 draws.

At Alfredian Park, WANTAGE TOWN fell behind to a 20th minute Lewis Thomas goal for BARTON ROVERS.

But 4 minutes into the second half, Josh Elms equalised for the Freds.

And at Herns Way, WELWYN GARDEN CITY and THAME UNITED, both tipped to do well this season, also shared the spoils.

Harry Tucker broke the deadlock to give the visitors a 64th minute lead that David Keenleyside levelled 8 minutes from time.