The opening weekend of Derbyshire football had it all; from late winners to six-goal thrillers, there has been plenty to talk about following the eagerly-awaited return of league football.
It certainly was a Friday feeling for Derby County in their opening Sky Bet Championship fixture on Friday night, as the Rams marked new boss Frank Lampard's managerial debut in dramatic fashion with a last-gasp win at Reading.
Just minutes after David Nugent's header was ruled out for offside in the opening stages of the second half, it was the hosts - under former Rams gaffer Paul Clement - who edged ahead thanks to Jon Dadi Bodvarsson's header, but Derby fought back to equal the scores on the hour mark when 'keeper Manone couldn't keep out teenage Mason Mount's long-range rocket.
Tom Lawrence sealed an opening night victory in the dying moments, heading home with just seconds on the clock remaining to hand Lampard his first win as a manager.
New Chesterfield boss Martin Allen also enjoyed maximum points from his first game in charge, as the Spireites made their National League debut with a 1-0 win at much fancied Ebbsfleet United.
Zavon Hines was the hero on the day, winning his side a 65th-minute penalty before tucking the spot-kick away himself in front of 853 travelling supporters.
Saturday wasn't as successful an opening day for Alfreton Town under new gaffer Billy Heath in the National League North, but the 754 fans in attendance were treated to a memorable six-goal thriller with Kidderminster at the Impact Arena.
Former Alfreton star Dan Bradley - who joined the Harriers from AFC Fylde - came back to haunt his ex-team mates by hammering home an exquisite volley of the highest order with 21 minutes on the clock.
Tom Platt levelled ten minutes later with a glancing header from a well-worked corner, and the Reds were ahead at the interval thanks to an unmarked Tom Denton heading home at the back post just in time for the break.
Their lead didn't last long, though, as Harriers debutante Kane Richards levelled within 60 seconds of coming on as a substitute after the break, and another former Red in the shape of Joe Ironside completed the turnaround with a tap-in after the hour mark.
But the Reds were able to pin a point to the board thanks to an 85th minute penalty scored by Bobby Johnson to end a thrilling opening game.
Staveley could only manage a similar result in the kicking-off of their NCEL Premier Division campaign, drawing 1-1 with Barton Town at Inkersall Road.
Adam Baskerville put the Trojans ahead mid-way through the first half, but they were unable to hold onto an opening day victory as Jamie Goddard levelled for visiting Barton with seven minutes of normal time to spare.
Ilkeston Town picked up where they left off last season, as they launched their Midland Football League Premier Division campaign with a 3-2 win over Stourport Swifts.
After going a goal behind early on, Elliott Reeves and Shaun Rickford helped to put the Robins in front before they were pegged back with 15 minutes to go, although they eventually found a winner thanks to Malachi Lavelle-Moore, who tapped home at the back post with a few minutes remaining.
Tom Gamblen put Long Eaton ahead against Sporting Khalsa in their opening fixture, but the visitors were able to draw level and take home a point thanks to an excellent free-kick from Lee Chillton.
Meanwhile, the only defeat of the weekend for Derbyshire was handed to South Normanton, who were beaten 1-0 at home to Westfields.
Comments