The new season kicked of last Sunday and saw us clawourselves back from a goal downt to overturn fierce rivals Spartak '96 3-1. The result wasn't the only encouraging thing to come out of the game though as a number of players put in superb performances and as a team on the whole, some of the football that we played was outstanding.

The game to start with was a little bit scrappy and we found it very hard to get into. At first, I thought they we were looking to hit the ball too direct, and Spartak found it easy to defend the longball as they were never troubled in the air by Andrew Hillier or Dan Johnstone. The goal that we conceded was scrappy and gave us the kick up the arse that we needed. The ball could have been cut out at least twice before the ball found its way to Spartak's most dangerous player who had no trouble finding the back of the net. This goal signaled the start of the Plough's good football and we managed to get ourselves back into the game before half time which was important. Nick Howard scored with a fantastic header from a Ben Tye cross.

At the time, I felt half time may have come at the wrong time for us as we were coming more and more into the game and Spartak were surprisingly tiring very quickly. However, James and Dan's words of wisdom looked as though they did the trick because we went out for the second half in dominant mood. We soon took the lead when I managed to squeeze a cross across the area to Andrew Hillier. He somehow managed to find Alex Howells who arrived to smash the ball into the net for a fantastic debut goal. Hillier went on to seal the game with an excellent header from a CD cross.

We more than deserved the result and hopefully we can continue playing this kind of football next week although we all know how difficult it is on our pitch. I felt Nick Howard and Chris Deciacco were both superb on Sunday and hopefully they can maintain this for the duration of the season. There was no moment during the second half that the Spartak midfield could get the ball without a Plough midfielder snapping away at their feet - the work was just superb. I was very impressed with Alex Howells on the right flank. Despite a few dodgy performances there in friendlies, I felt he showed that he could make this a permanent position for himself throughout the season and the finish for his goal was superb. James Baldry also had a very good debut at left back and again he looks like he will make that his position for the remainder of the season. I really enjoy linking up with him on the left side of the pitch and we have the understanding that I would cover for him if ever he went forward which was encouraging as it was the first time we had played on that flank together. I also thought that Dan Johnstone did a great job upfront for the first hour of the game. He held the ball up well and gave it simple to an advancing midfielder. He also won quite a few flicks from which Hillier nearly benefited from on a number of different occasions.

Its the first time that we have come away from our opening fixture with 3 points so we need to continue this good form over the next few weeks so that we can build ourselves a platform to mount a promotion charge upon. Certain signs on Sunday showed that we could have all the tools to go all the way this season.