Reigning Premier Division champions George & Dragon went down to a shock defeat on the opening day of the Crewe Regional Sunday League.

The Winsford side look like they mean business defending their title after registering 64 players for the new campaign, but they went down to a 4-1 reverse at the hands of Willaston White Star.

Robbie Hatton netted for the home side, but Dawid Polanski and Gary Cardno both scored doubles for White Star.

Newly-promoted Cooper Buckley travelled to Wheelock to play Cheshire Cheese, and played out a 2-2 draw. The home side were ahead twice with goals from Alex Forrester and Ben Reddock, but the visitors quickly equalised on both occasions, with strikes from Cal Hood and Jason McMullan.

The other two promoted teams, Winsford Over and Audlem, played each other, and it was Winsford Over who came out on top with a 3-0 win, thanks to goals from Tom Stanton, Matthew Stanton and a long range effort from John Buckley.

The Lions have had a turbulent few days with veteran defender Nick Butterworth taking on the role of club secretary at short notice. And they found a well-organised NHB to be a difficult side to break down as the visitors clinched a 1-0 win with a late goal from Matty Ashbrook.

Broadhurst FC edged a close encounter with Talbot 3-2 thanks to goals from Jack Glimond, Euan Jamieson and an own goal. Ryan Moss and Josh Ruane netted for Talbot. 

In Division One, Faddiley returned to the league after a short absence with a younger squad of player, but they had to settle for a 1-1 draw against a resolute Sandbach Town, who led 0-1 at half time thanks to a Jack Townsend goal.

Chris Bedford netted for Faddiley in the second half.

Nantwich Pirates have switched their home pitch from The Barony to the King George V Playing Fields and they hosted the other new entrant to the League, Cheshire Cat.

It was the Cat who got their season off to a good start with a 3-2 win thanks to strikes from Sam Davenport (2) and Mitch Stokes. Mike Truan and Chris Stokes were on target for The Pirates.

C & N Utd. went down to a 4-3 defeat at the hands of JS Bailey, whose goals came from Dan Paesler (2), Liam Millington and Dan Goward. Jack Cope (2) and Adam Smith were on target for the home side.

Raven Salvador conjured three late goals to beat Leighton FC 4-1. Jake Foster was on the mark for the hosts, but Curtis Rodgers (2), Steve Wright and Owen Porter netting for Raven.

Meanwhile, White Horse ran out 4-2 winners against Princes Feathers with 2 goals from Tom Royle,

Results

Premier Division

Cheshire Cheese 2, Cooper Buckley 2

George & Dragon  1, Willaston WS 4

Talbot FC  2, Broadhurst FC 3

The Lions 0, NHB FC 1

Winsford Over 3 3, Audlem 0

Division One

C & N Utd 3, JS Bailey 4

Faddiley 1, Sandbach Town 1

Leighton FC 1, Raven Salvador 4

Nantwich Pirates 2, Cheshire Cat 3

White Horse  4, Princes Feathers 2