Cheadle Town 2-0 Wythenshawe Amateurs

If Wythenshawe Amateurs had done their research then they would have known not to have bothered turning up before a ball had been kicked; we haven't lost our opening competitive match since the 2007-08 season (a defeat at Padiham, if you're asking).

That run continued - albeit after a decent test - thanks to two late goals, one from substitute Rhys Clooney and a twice-taken penalty from Joe Neild ('e' before the 'i' - I have been misspelling his name for the past couple of years!).

The teams emerge; Remeece Brown definitely 'in the zone'

A cagey opening ten minutes was broken by the first shot in anger from Rhys Webb who belted one from range to test the Ams' keeper.

Moments later the Ams' no11 tried the same before Rubemn Abreu was sent scampering through down the left, only to be denied by a good stop. Ruben took the resulting corner which was met by the head of Liam Delaney at the far post but to no avail.

Danny Whiting was kept busy, palming away some long-range efforts before we ended the half with two decent chances: Rhys Webb twisting and turning in the box to then punt his effort off the foot of the post before Remeece Brown's tricks got him into good space down the right only for him to shoot over.

A drinks break midway through the first-half (yes, it was that warm!) gives Antony Trucca the chance to get his point across

Rick Whyatt and Remeece had half-chances right at the start of the second half but were thwarted by good defending and bad luck respectively before Liam Delaney headed over another one of Ruben's corners from a good position.

With ten minutes remaining a handful of substitutions had seen Rhys Clooney enter the field and he had already collected a flick-on and fired over before he engineered our breakthrough with only four minutes remaining.

Ruben Abreu had made good progress down the left before checking back and poking the ball square for Rhys who, in one swift movement, turned and angled his drive into the far corner.

Somewhere in the middle of that huddle is Rhys Clooney

With our tails up, we were awarded a penalty in stoppage time when Rhys Webb's weaving and turning in the area drew a foul. Joe Neild had buried the initial kick before he was ordered to take it again, opting for the same side of the goal with his second attempt and thankfully with the same outcome.

All smiles at the final whistle

An interesting contest against one of the many newcomers to this league. A more familiar face in the form of New Mills AFC comes to Park Road tonight for our next home match....

TEAM: Whiting, Neild, Ratican, Russell (Wood), Delaney, Harrison, Brown (Knight), Hincks, Webb, Whyatt (Clooney), Abreu. SUBS: Wood, Allcock (gk), Shaw, Knight, Clooney.