Mersey Valley startyed their 2024/25 Cheshire League campaign with a deserved 2-0 win over Maine Road Reserves at Banky Lane.

Manager Jon Hudson handed debuts to new signings Sam Glendon, Ewan Roach, Sean Dorsey and Aaron Bowcott and a second debut to keeper Adam Rigby who rejoined the club in the summer.

Also included was dual-reg forward George Howarth but Macaulay Dignan and another new signing Niall Goldrick were borh ruled out through injury.

It was a good start by the home side, Howarth down the left hand side seeing plenty of the ball but the visitors, with a lot of new faces started to get control and Rigby was forced into a great block when Turner got free.

The turning point arrived on the half hour, Glendon sin binned for dissent and the visitors changed their shape to try and capitalise on the extra man but it was the home side that took advantage.

Joel Riley opens the scoring from the spot

Adams played in George Howarth again who burst through on goal, as he was about to get his shot away he was taken out by Winteroube and the referee pointed to the spot.

Captain Joel Riley converted coolly from the spot to give Mersey Valley the lead.

Glendon returned but Maine Road then saw themselves reduced to 10-men. Orhehomare this time speaking out of turn to the match official.

The half-time whistle went and the vistors felt hard done by to be going in at the break 1-0 down.

HT: Mersey Valley 1 Maine Road Reserves 0

The scond half belonged to the home side, Howarth contined to cause problems down the left hand side, a brilliant run and cross found Chaddock at the back post who timed his run to perfection but couldn’t get his header on target.

Chaddock and Evans then combined, Evans delivering a perfect cross for Mike Woolley to arrive unmarked but again he couldn’t get his header on target.

Dylan Fraine makes it 2-0

Hudson made his first change of the day, young forward Dylan Fraine replaced Chaddock and it took him just 5 minutes to make his mark.

Glendon broke up a dangerous attack and the home side counter attacked quickly, Woolley found Fraine in space, he cut inside and curled a brilliant goal past Taylor in the Maine Road goal.

Evans, Roach and Adams picked up yellow cards as well as Richards and Turner for the visitors.

The home side managed the game perfectly, keeping control of possession and Rigby didn’t have a save to make in the second half.

FT: Mersey Valley 2 Maine Road Reserves 0