NEW College’s youngsters suffered some teething problems as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat at home to Hook Norton in their opening game of the season.

The visitors were ahead after just a few minutes but College rallied and levelled things up through Jack Lowers before Harry Myles was upended for a penalty.

But Max Slinn’s spot-kick was saved, with Myles forced off with injury, and in the second period, Norton hit back and netted the winner.

Assistant manager Matt Cosnett reckoned this his team should have heeded the warning signs.

“The other team were getting a right rollicking at half-time. Their manager left the window open, so we could hear what was going on and we should have expected them to come out fired up,” said Cosnett.

“We were slow out of the blocks and conceded within three minutes and then we were slow out of the blocks in the second half.

“We had a 16-year-old in goal in Dan Lawrence, who’s just come in to the programme, and he was a bit gutted about the goal but there was nothing he could have done.

“It was a shot from 30 yards and we could have defended better but it was a good finish.

“We had a few players playing their first game at this level and we’ve got some things that we’re going to work on this week before we go to Tytherington (Rocks) next weekend.

“That’s going to be a test because they’re usually a well-organised side.”