PURTON celebrated the life of former secretary Alan Eastwood in the most fitting way possible on the opening weekend of the new Wiltshire League Premier Division season courtesy of a 9-1 victory over Pewsey Vale Development.

Eastwood sadly passed away just days before the start of the 2019-20 campaign and, after wishing for their game to go ahead in tribute to the much-loved clubman, Purton secured a result that would have made him proud.

Once a minute’s silence had been carried out, Pewsey took the lead through Corey Cullen, only for the home side to spring into action.

Will Backhouse fired a hat-trick, while Daren Regis and Jamie Tuck both got braces.

Steve Keir and Jack Duckers rounded off the scoring on an emotional day.

Elsewhere, after promotion from the Swindon & District League last term, Stratton Juniors got life a higher level off to a disappointing start after a 1-0 defeat at home to Marlborough Town.

Christopher Deane scored the only goal of the game.

Kintbury Rangers started with an emphatic 10-0 victory over Malmesbury Victoria Development.

First-half goals from Jamie Gannon, Russell Benham, Shaun Thorp, Harry Way and two from Tom Mahoney saw Kintbury 6-0 up at the break.

In the second half, last season’s Wiltshire League leading scorer, Thorp, scored three times more, while Harry Way scooped his second.

Cricklade Town edged a nine-goal thriller after Joe Broadbank snatched a late winner to emerge 5-4 victors.

The home side were three goals up inside 15 minutes thanks to strikes from Broadbank, Elliot Corp and Max Scholefield before Dean Smith pulled one back for Shrewton.

Jason Tatum netted Cricklade’s fourth, only for Saul Johnson, Steve Holvey and Charlie Utterson to square the game up before Broadbank had the final say for Cricklade.

Trowbridge Town cruised to a 6-1 win over Royal Wootton Bassett Development thanks to a brace each from Jordan Gullis and Aaron Masson, while Alex Pippard and Ben Ryder also scored.

Tom Phillips netted Bassett’s consolation.

Corsham Town Reserves opened up with a 5-2 victory over Frome Collegians.

Daniel King bagged a hat-trick for Corsham, the pick of his goals was a long-range free-kick, while Ed McCormack and Ryan Withers also got on the scoresheet.

Lewis Perrett and Matt Parsons replied for Frome.

Jake Hutchings, Conner McKay and Dan Sibley were all on target for Melksham Town Reserves as they overcame Ludgershall Sports 3-0.

Meanwhile, champions Wroughton saw their game against Holt postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.