NINE GOALS from prolific Redditch and South Warwickshire Combination goalscorer Andy Nicol fired Austin Ex Apprentices to the top of the Premier Division table on the opening weekend of the new season.
After bagging 67 goals last season and 55 the season before, Nicol, who also plays for Midland League Premier Division outfit Alvechurch, looks set for another goal-filled season as his triple hat-trick guided the Apprentices to a 22-0 victory over South Redditch.
Liam Spink scored four times and namesake Craig netted a hat-trick while the rest of the goals were shared around the team.
Golden Cross also picked up three points on the opening day of the season as they claimed a comprehensive 8-0 victory over new boys S.O Goose Greenlands.
Mark Wilkes bagged a hat-trick, Tobias Teague and Mark Styler netted braces while Rhys Whitehouse completed the scoring.
New Woodland Cottage got their season off to a good start with an 8-2 victory over Lodge Park while Redditch Cross beat Shakespeare Studley 5-1 thanks to five different scorers.
Mario Prota’s goal proved to be the difference as Beoley Village edged past Studley Swan 1-0 while the other game of the weekend saw AFC Lions share the spoils with VKL United in a 0-0 draw.
