BERKS County FC suffered a 2-0 home defeat against reigning champions Reading YMCA in their opening Thames Valley League Premier Division game on Saturday, writes Richard Ashton.

The hosts started brightly and had a great chance to open the scoring after only five minutes, but Young Men goalkeeper Luke Howroyd produced a fine save.

YM took the lead midway through the half, however, captain Dan Donegan earning his side a penalty and then scoring it after being hauled down in the area.

The Swords grew into the game, though, and had a fair share of opportunities to break through the visitors’ defence only for their final ball to be too straight or too long.

At the other end, meanwhile, wide midfielder Simon Maraj-Bennett forced a save and striker Ryan Adams shot across the face of goal as the Young Men preserved their one-goal lead going into the break.

Chances came and went at both ends at the start of the second period, but the visitors doubled their lead on 55 minutes when replacement Johnny Adey pounced on a defensive error before sliding the ball under the onrushing keeper to put the champions 2-0 up.

The same player hit the post late on while new signing Kaser Chowdary also came close, but the Young Men held on for a deserved victory.

A ruthless first-half performance from last season’s runners-up Marlow United saw them crush Woodley United Reserves 4-0.

A Liam Bushay brace and further strikes from Ollie Flint and debutant Gary Homes did the damage as Marlow put out a statement of intent on the opening day.

Jake Brooks and substitute Daniel Hunt got the goals as Cookham Dean began with a 2-0 home win against Newbury, while Highmoor Ibis Reserves triumphed 3-2 at Rotherfield United.

Mortimer won by the same scoreline at home to Hurst, with Michael Davies, Christopher Fabianczyk and Lee Vincent on target for the hosts and Adam Frewin and Gavin Sinclair netting for Hurst.

Woodcote Stoke Row began life under new manager Ross Weatherstone with a 3-2 defeat at Wraysbury Village.

WSR were the better side in the first half and took an 18th-minute lead courtesy of Frank Dillon, only for Matthew Burns-Peake to level on the stroke of half time.

Joe Jarra put Wraysbury in front 10 minutes into the second period, but the visitors looked like snatching a point when Andy Bullett struck late on.

However, there was further drama to come, and Richard Bond settled the contest by netting four minutes from time to give the hosts a dream start.