PREMIER DIVISION new boys Parkside grabbed the headlines on day one of the new Houlihans Birkenhead Sunday League season.

They beat Queens Park 4-2 (Gibson, Gardiner) with goals from Windass, Bowe and a double from Kearney.

Another promoted team found things a little tougher, as The Tower (Dooley penalty) were beaten 6-1 at a strong Bidston Hotel (Atherton, D Taylor, Jones, Parnell, T Taylor 2).

Last year’s title winners Dock FC (Kenyon, Head) got off to a good start with a 2-1 win over Rock Ferry Social (Robbie Stuart).

The same score gave Heygarth (Hobday, Buhalfaia) a winning start away to Stirrup.

Sixteen-year-old Ben Holmes scored a 20-yard effort seconds after coming on for Woodchurch (Cox, Byrne, Easterbrook) as they started life at their new home pitch at Heswall, with a 4-0 victory over Brow.

The First Division started with a couple of 1-1 draws – between Lions (Molyneux) and Kings Arms (Machin), while a long range free kick from Darren Curran helped FC Fender to a share of the points against Lancelyn (Morrell).

Another tight game saw a last minute own goal give Mississippi (Sumner) a 2-1 victory away to Shaftesbury Youth A (Jamie Smith). Early pacesetters are Shore Villa after winning 5-0 away to Saddle Club.

Second Division high scorers were Shaftesbury Youth B; doubles for Sherratt and Wright and one each from Hollman and Lawler meant a 6-1 victory against Lions Athletic (Anson).

AFC Houlihans, thanks to a double from Walkett, one from Boyland and a free-kick into the top corner from McDonald, also got off to a winning start 4-2 at FC Ridger (Price, Neill). The other three games in the division ended all square.

A Chris Higgins hat-trick and goals from Smith and Marrs, gave Neston Athletic a great start to the season in Division Three.