VIDEO: AFC Sudbury off to a flyer with emphatic opening day success

AFC Sudbury manager Jamie Godbold was left delighted after his side put an early marker down to their Ryman League Division One North rivals after kicking off the new campaign in style with a 5-2 win over Romford.

With a new state of the art 3G pitch in place at the Wardale Williams Stadium, The Yellows put on a performance to match their new facilities with a devastating first half period to all but put the result beyond doubt.

A Craig Parker opener was added to Sam Clarke, Luke Callander and Jordan Blackwell to give the hosts a commanding advantage at the break.

Joe Bricknell gave the visitors a glimmer of hope immediately after the interval but Callander grabbed his second midway through the half to restore the four-goal cushion.

Bricknell then grabbed his second from the spot with the last kick of the game but it failed to take the shine off a fine opening weekend for AFC.

Meanwhile, in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division, Hadleigh United settled for a share of the spoils with Walsham-le-Willows following a 1-1 draw while Long Melford suffered an opening day defeat, going down 1-0 away at Felixstowe and Walton United.

Elsehwere, in the First Division, Cornard United slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home against Downham Town, while Halstead Town took a point against Leiston Reserves following a 1-1 draw.