OLD Boltonians season in the LAL Premier Division eventually got off to a flying start with a 5-2 victory over promoted Highfield United.

Midway through the first half however dark clouds appeared to be gathering for Peter Cooper's side. The newly promoted visitors had stormed into a two goal lead with Bolts looking strangely lethargic.

Thankfully the Tower Street outfit had real grit these days and a plucky fightback saw the scores levelled at 2-2. Tempers in the visitors ranks were far from controlled and a thrown punch saw a player red-carded. This set the pattern for the rest of the game with Highfield having no less than four players sent off and Bolts celebrating a win that saw Dave Haslam bag three and John Fairhurst two.

Man of the match was midfielder Chris O'Mara. "It's amazing," exclaimed Bury GSOB manager Howerd Croft. "We've had forty-odd lads down training and on the first Saturday we have to call off the Reserves game because we can't muster enough players to put two teams out!"

The opening 30 minutes of the 1st team fixture saw visitors Rossendale Amateurs take a three goal lead. Ian Riggs got a goal back before the break following good work from man of the match Mike Tarron but the score stayed at 3-1. In Division One Bolton County took the derby honours with goals from Michael Locke, Jay McDowell and Mark Murray earning a 3-0 victory over Thornleigh, for whom defender John Scoble was pushed close in the man of the match vote by keeper Mike Smith. County 2nds won 12-0 with substitute Neil Horrocks bagging four.

Thornleigh Reserves drew 2-2 with Little Lever thanks to goals from Nick Grimwood and Paul Swift. Horwich RMI got off to an eye-opening start to life at the higher rung after promotion from Division Two with a 7-1 defeat by Little Lever that was compounded by three own goals! Lever's legitimate scorers were Chris Williams (2), Craig Harrison and John Done.

Ainsworth had a double celebration debut day in the LAL Division Two after moving from the Bolton Combination. The 1st team beat Spotland Meths 4-1 with goals from Des Wilcox (2), Billy Nicholson and Paul Roscoe whilst the Reserves beat the same opposition 2-0 away with both goals coming from Patrick Filo.

Bury Amateurs looked in need of extra training and more practice on the offside trap in a 6-1 defeat at Old Mancunians, and that after taking a one goal lead on 9 minutes through Chris Gibbon and having their keeper play an absolute blinder!

The Amateurs Reserves drew 1-1 with promoted Royton Town missing a penalty and thereby the opportunity for a winning start. Bolton Wyresdale beat Burnley GSOB with goals from John Riley, Mark Fogg and man of the match Joe Clement.