AFTER assembling a squad packed full of players with impressive CV’s, newcomers Three Daggers are the clear favourites to bag the Second Division title this season.

This is especially the case as they have no fewer than 10 players in their current squad who also helped Westbury Town cruise to the Division Two title only last season.

However, in their opening match they were forced share the spoils after a 4-4 draw against a depleted Calne Eagles who have also come off the back of a very tough and tumultuous preseason campaign, which also included a heavy defeat at the hands of the Three Daggers in early August.

Playing into the wind Three Daggers started the better and took an early lead through Martin Johnson after a teasing cross from his strike partner Phil Hampson.

However, Calne equalised almost instantly when a superb pass from Barry Forster found Karl Sharratt whose shot was deflected past Daggers’ keeper Frankie McEntagart.

This provided a much-needed boost to the home team who went on to dominate the remainder of the half and open up 4-1 half-time deficit, with Adam Welch and Mickey Taraskevics (two) both opening up their goal scoring accounts for the season.

Early in the second half Calne missed adding to their tally when Taraskevics went through on goal but his shot rebounded off the post.

Nonetheless, as the game progressed, The Three Daggers started to slowly edge their way back into the game and pulled a goal back with 25 minutes left through Billy Precup.

With 15 minutes still remaining Joe Maloney shot from just inside the box found the back of the net.

Calne still looked dangerous on the break and Adam Welch had 2 shots well saved by McEntagart in goal.

But the pressure want mounting on the home team and Three Daggers finally levelled the score with six minutes left through a second from substitue Joe Maloney, who fired home through a crowded box following a corner.

At the final whistle both teams were slightly deflated with earning a single point, but both sides certainly played their part in this highly entertaining season opener.

A solitary Joao Rodrigues goal was not enough for Zeals away at Melksham Town B who despite drawing one apiece at the interval they were outplayed in the second half as Melksham upped their game to run out 5-1 victors.

Dan Walker netted for Melksham in the first half, Luke Wilkins found the target in the second half as did Rhys Kemish who scored a 3-timer that earned Melksham a deserved win.

Trowbridge Town A got off to a winning start, under the guidance of Bob Arberry the youngsters opened their account with a 5-0 victory at home to The Stiffs.

Goals from Tom Caldicott and Dan Filer gave Trowbridge a 2-0 lead at the break. Mike Ritson’s second-half double and a second from Dan Filer sealed the victory.

League newcomers Warminster Town A and Trowbridge Wanderers Development met at the former’s Highbury Park ground and it was the hosts who got off to a flyer, courtesy of a thumping 7-1 win.

Luke Doidge and Charlie Hall were on target for Warminster in a first half that saw Louis Stillman score for Wanderers.

The second half saw the floodgates open as Warminster struck five unanswered goals. Drew Eglin helped himself to a hat- trick and,  along with a double for Liam Gibbers, it completed the rout.