The first team got off to an auspicious start with an 8-3 victory at Clapton. We may have been flattered by the score but on the other hand we could have easily scored four or five more goals in the second half when chances went begging.

It would be wrong to blame the players for these misses for the conditions were very difficult with the ball skidding in all directions.

After kicking off in brilliant sunshine, a torrential downpour midway through the first half made visibility extremely difficult and the referee had no alternative but to hold up play with the players sheltering in the stand; a most unusual sight on a soccer field.

We had got off to an encouraging start when Laurie Churchill repeated his Wimbledon effort of the previous week by brilliantly heading in from a well taken David Hyde corner in the third minute.

Five minutes later another effort by Churchill flashed by the upright, then Clapton equalised from a penalty after Roy Sleap had pushed the right winger.

Clapton were showing some neat approach work whereas our boys were not moving with the fluency expected. However, there was no mistaking the power up front and Danny Lakey shot through a crowd of players for the second and further goals came from Jimmy Quail, after David Hyde ha dput over the perfect cross from the right wing, and Churchill.

Our play improved after the interval, the ball being moved with much more precision. Full use was made of Churchill's speed down the right wing with the result that Lakey had few opportunities to show his skill.

Hyde added the fifth and sixth goals, his second a brilliant effort when he calmly slid the ball inside the near post. Fred Pudney got the seventh with a lob just under the bar and Hyde completed the scoring and his hat-trick with goal number eight.

John Swannell showed his usual brilliance in goal and had no chance with the three Clapton efforts. David Hogwood and Roy Sleap were rock-like in defence, their coolness under pressure being very evident.

Wing halves John Evans and Bobby Ellison worked hard and gave good service to their forwards. Geoff Riddy dominated the middle, and the forward line showed improved understanding the longer the game progressed with Jimmy Quail the mastermind. Quite a satisfactory opening to the season.