MARC SALMON'S brace saw Harlow Town off to an ideal start to the season on Saturday, August 19 with a 3-1 win at Aylesbury United.

The Hawks may have struggled in pre-season but when the real action began they tore through Aylesbury, relegated from the Ryman League premier division last season, with Salmon the star of the show.

Sportcentre boss Ian Allinson said: 'Aylesbury are a good side and we would have settled for a point before the game so we were delighted to get all three.

'The team have not really played together as a unit before so I was pleased with the way the new players settled in. Marc Salmon led the line well and took his chances.'

Six of the starting line-up were making their competitive debuts for Harlow ? Nick Webb in goal, Dave Druary and Tony McNally in defence, Andy Purcell and Richard Wilcox in midfield and Gordon Guile in attack. Guile scored the third and looks a fine replacement for Carl Drew who has joined Bedford Town.

The visitors looked sharp from the first whistle with Salmon testing home stopper James Courtnage then Martin Young shooting wide.

They took a deserved lead on 33 minutes when Druary's deep cross was turned across the goalmouth by Young and tapped in by Salmon.

Six minutes later it was 2-0 after a brilliant solo goal from Salmon who beat his man on the right flank, cut inside and drilled his shot under the bar.

He had two chances to complete his hat-trick either side of half time but saw a low shot saved then lobbed wide.

The Ducks pulled one back on 75 minutes with Darren Grieves' header from a corner.

But Guile made the points safe on 81 minutes as Wilcox's cross from the left was expertly volleyed home by last season's top-scorer in the division.

Harlow entertain Oxford City on Saturday then visit Walton & Hersham on Bank Holiday Monday.

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(Ryman League division one)

HARLOW: Webb, Samuel, Druary, Moore (sub: Ettiene 87min), McNally, Nicholson, Young (sub: Hooker 81), Purcell, Guile (sub: Coley 87), Wilcox, Salmon.