HAVING taken until the end of October to record their first win last season, Michael McNally was relieved to see his Shrivenham side get off to a quicker start this season.

On Saturday, they recorded an opening day win at home to local rivals New College.

McNally’s side had to come from a half-time deficit to claim the 2-1 victory with goals from debutants Lance Lewis and Chris Collins.

The Shrivvy boss was delighted that he didn’t have to wait long for the a first three points in the Hellenic League Division One West but admitted that it was not the perfect performance with some of last season’s demons still lingering.

“We’re three points better off than we were last year,” he said.

“I don’t think we got three points until a couple of months into the season last year.

“This time, we have really hit the ground running.

“It was a case that if we had gone in at half-time five or six goals up then they couldn’t have complained.

“We had a bit of last year syndrome where we weren’t clinical in front of goal and they have scored a good goal themselves and you are left scratching your head.

“Fair play to the lads, on a red hot day, we have stuck into it and scored two good goals and probably could have scored more.”

McNally made a change, bringing Rob Lincoln off and putting Lewis on up top and it almost had an immediate impact.

Levi Cox ran down the wing before putting the ball into the box and Lewis was in the box to volley home.

Shrivenham moved into the lead when New College goalkeeper’s clearance fell to Jamie Prictor, who has put the ball in from the right with Collins on hand to find the top corner.

McNally was pleased to see two of his new additions score and believes he has not tried to over complicate matters when bringing in new signings.

“Lance and Chris are both new signings this summer so it is nice to see them get off the mark,” he added.

“We haven’t gone mad this year with signing players on. In my eyes we have brought in quality over quantity.”

“The work rate from the lads in the second half was unbelievable.”

Meanwhile, Fairford Town responded to an opening day defeat last weekend in emphatic style by dispatching North Leigh with a 5-0 win thanks to a brace from Jack Ellis with further strikes from Ben Saunders, Danny Hale and Lee Smith.

However, Purton fell to a 3-1 defeat at home to early pace setters Hook Norton.