Smith gets Sheffield Club off to flying start

They came from behind to beat Grantham Town 2-1 in Division One South at home.

But it was a losing start for Gary Marrow’s new-look Stocksbridge Park Steels side as they went down 3-1 at title favourites Cammell Laird.

Dan Wilkinson had given Grantham, who were two divisions above Sheffield last season, the lead and Sheffield looked set for a half-time deficit.

But Dave McCarthy’s men were behind for little more than a minute, Peter Davey levelling when he neatly lifted the ball over the keeper.

The winner arrived on 71 minutes, and a fine goal it was too, Gavin Smith rounding two players just inside the area before slamming a shot into the roof of the net.

They defended solidly when required to preserve the lead and it is a result that will boost their confidence.

Stocksbridge Park were behind after just 15 minutes when Jones tapped in from close range for Cammell Laird.

The home side doubled their advantage when Johnson netted from a tight angle but it was a harsh scoreline on Steels.

They did pull one back through Ben Walker on 75 minutes but hopes of snatching a point were dashed when Hay hit the home side’s third with four minutes remaining.

Retford United made it a winning start for new boss Peter Duffield, beating Gresley Rovers 2-0 at Cannon Park.

Goals either side of half-time from Neil Harvey and Ryan Hindley, who was later sent-off for violent conduct, sealed a fine win.

In the Premier Division, Worksop Town got-off to a flier with a 2-1 win at Marine as they aim to bounce back to the Blues Square North at the first attempt.

Tigers went in front on 38 minutes when Steve Hawes scored direct from an inswinging free-kick from near the left hand corner flag.

Worksop doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time when Steve Robinson raced in to knock Stewart Copnell’s cross-shot over the line.

Marine pulled one back on 74 minutes through Robbie Talbot but the Tigers held out despite late pressure from the home side.

Mark Reed hit a 76th minute equaliser as Buxton came away from Whitby Town with a point from a 1-1 draw but Frickley Athletic made a losing start going down 3-0 at Hednesford Town.

Blue Square Conference North, Nicky Law’s Alfreton Town side continued their poor start with a third defeat on the bounce as Southport left 2-1 winners despite a Matt Glass effort.

Midweek fixtures:

Tomorrow: Premier Div: Worksop Town v Eastwood Town, Buxton v Hednesford Town, Frickley Athletic v North Ferriby United, Matlock Town v Lincoln United.

First Division South: Stocksbridge Park Steels v Belper Town, Goole v Sheffield FC,Grantham Town v Retford United