THE new season of the Altrincham and District Amateur Saturday Football League kicked off this weekend.

Division One champions Wilmslow Sports began the defence of their title with a 0-2 win away at newly promoted Egerton FC.

Following a summer of uncertainty over the destination of last season’s Division One title, Wilmslow were officially crowned champions on August 15 and will be presented with the trophy next weekend prior to their home match against Salford AFC.

Last season’s runners-up Sale Town, who missed out on the chance to clinch the title after failing to fulfil their final fixture of the campaign, suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Sale Amateurs.

Elsewhere in the top flight, Sale Rovers, AFC Quarry and Broadheath Central JFC ‘A’ all won by four-goal margins to share their place at the top of the table.

Rovers came out 1-5 winners away at Division Two champions Sale United thanks to goals from debutant Mark Collins, Michael Morris (2) and Joe Richards (2). Quarry claimed a 4-0 victory over Atlantic FC courtesy of a stunning debut hat-trick from Jon Chrimes and a bullet header from Martin Long while Division One new boys Broadheath JFC ‘A’ repeated the feat against Old Alts.

In the one other game played in Division One, Salford AFC grabbed a late winner at home to Knutsford FC having earlier surrendered a 2-0 lead to goals from Ben Lavers and Bradley Williams.

In Division Two, newly formed outfit Irlam FC lead the way by virtue of goal difference having comfortably beaten Broadheath Central JFC ‘B’ 4-1.

Fellow newcomers Swinton FC and PFC Academy also recorded victories against Unicorn Athletic (1-2) and Styal FC (3-2) respectively.

PFC’s Dom Marie completed a second half comeback for his side in the last minute of normal time, adding to teammate Daniel Bruce’s strike to overturn a 2-1 half time deficit.

Styal’s Gary Metcalfe and Ben Watts had given their team the lead going into the break, cancelling out the first of Marie’s two goals on the day.

Cornishman Celtic vs APFC (Ashton Park FC), Flixton Juniors vs Broadheath Central FC and Sale Town Reserves vs Baroni FC were all postponed.