Halesworth Town 2, Stonham Aspal 3WITH the first game of the new season in the Suffolk and Ipswich League Division One being against a team that only just got relegated from the senior division, Town knew they would have to come out firing on all cylinders.

Halesworth Town 2, Stonham Aspal 3

WITH the first game of the new season in the Suffolk and Ipswich League Division One being against a team that only just got relegated from the senior division, Town knew they would have to come out firing on all cylinders.

That is exactly what they did. Waters held the ball up and then fed Wilson, whose cross was met with perfect timing from 12 yards by Idle, his header flying into the net.

Bolton went clear, only for his shot to go wide of the goal when he maybe could have looked up for a square pass. He then made amends when Idle won a loose ball and Waters fed Bolton, who went one-on-one and there was no doubting his finish this time.

Town then invited pressure as they edged towards the break and Hayse made two great stops to keep the score as it was. Stonham also hit a post.

Stonham had always looked as if they would score and soon after the break they did.

Town then re-took the momentum but against the run of play a defensive mix-up saw Hayse off his line and beaten by a flicked header.

Both teams were out for the win and the game was end-to-end. Town had chances and Cockerel's introduction saw Bolton move to centre forward and his lob shot hitting the bar.

Cockerel was linking well with Pritchard and his cross almost saw another goal for Idle. The turning point of the game was when Town should have had a penalty after a clear handball, but it was not given.

Salt was well and truly rubbed into the wounds when, in the third minute of injury time, Stonham scored the winner after a bundled corner.

Town have plenty to build on after an encouraging start to the campaign. This week they travel to BT Trimley, while the reserves host AFC Crowley Reserves, ko 2.30pm.