We kicked off our 2022/23 league campaign with a 1-0 win against Eastwood CFC in front of our own fans at The Longwater Stadium, Eslaforde Park.

Player/Manager Tom Ward retained the core of his team from last year and has added even more quality … noticeably the signing of former Burton Albion and England C striker Shaun Harrad, who made his debut this week.

It’s a big season for The Greens as we target the club’s highest finish in 100 years of football, a fitting ambition as we reach our century mark. Chairman, Dean Williams "wants us all to be part of history come the end of April, I want everybody to feel part of this ambition – players, coaches, volunteers, investors, sponsors, partners and critically our fans, our community."

Saturday’s victory was a first step towards this ambition. A solid start to the next 9 months of competition.

The manager handed debuts to goalkeeper Liam Flitton, Lewis Daff, Shaun Harrad and the returning Joe Butler. Oliver Skinner and Sam Wright also made their first appearances from the bench.

In truth, we dominated the game from the outset. Strikers Rushen and Harrad showing signs of linking well and enjoying a handful of chances. It was however a largely uneventful half until the stroke of half time when the Eastwood captain received a second yellow and his marching orders, following a flashpoint in the middle of the pitch. Half time came with the scores level 0-0.

A man up, we pressed hard from the start of the second half. Harrad headed just over, before the breakthrough after 50 minutes. The ever impressive Griffiths (Player Of The Match) crossing for Butler to head home. The header clipped the underside of the bar before crossing the line, Joe Smith made sure but the goal was awarded to Butler 1-0. The Greens were in complete control, further chances falling to Rushen, Skinner, Smith and skipper Charlie Ward. But at 1-0 anything can happen, Eastwood created two chances at the death – both blasted over. It would have been cruel but football can be like that. We saw the game out to earn a deserved three points.

The games come thick and fast at the start of the season. We travel to rivals Skegness Town on Wednesday 3rd August for a 7.45pm kick off, before travelling again on Saturday 6th August to face Handsworth in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round – 3pm KO.