BARNTON kicked off their league campaign in style with an impressive 3-1 win on the road against Maine Road at a rain soaked Brantingham Road.

Connor Anderson got his side off to the perfect start after only six minutes, finishing smartly after linking up with Deklan Hill and Eden Gumbs.

The front three caused the home side issues all afternoon long with Hill going close shortly after the opener with an effort from outside the area, before heading over from a Tom Edwards cross.

After a lively start from the Villagers the home side finally found their feet and struck the post after some good football, before the Maine Road number 9 fired wide after a defensive.

Edwards then linked up with Anderson who couldn’t keep his effort on target.

It was then Gumbs’ turn to get involved as he doubled his side's lead with an excellent low effort from distance that beat their keeper after 36 minutes.

The Villagers survived a late scare before half time with Maine Road going close with another effort from distance.

A quiet start to the second half saw the Villagers take control and frontman Hill was denied by an outstanding save from Peter Monteith in the Maine Road goal, but minutes later Hill got himself on the scoresheet as he got on the end of an excellent cross.

The home side continued to probe but an Alex Jones goal line clearance and an outstanding save from Arran Lyons kept them at bay.

George Farrelly and Jordan Cobley went close before Maine Road scored a consolation goal from distance as Yousif Yousfit left Lyons with no chance in added on time.

Maine Road: Monteith, Welsh, Lane, Edwards, Eiselt, Melia, Wilson, Mooney, Wilson, O’Reilly, Belattar

Subs: Burgess, Molloy, Yousif, Islam, Brown

Barnton: Lyons, Avon, Hunt, Jones, Green, Botell, Gumbs, Forster, Hill, Anderson, Edwards

Subs: Cobley, Clifton, Farrelly, Lambert, White