MALPAS were soundly beaten 3-0 by big rivals Whitchurch Alport in their Cheshire League opener on Wednesday.
The hosts got off to the worst possible start when player-manager Robbie McWilliams scored past his own keeper.
Midway through the first half Whitchurch doubled their advantage but the game was never cut and dried as Malpas created chances throughout.
Malpas missed main striker Roy Cardus, who was injured in a friendly against Blacon. It is hoped he will be fit for tomorrow’s match at home to Monk.
Tarporley Vics kicked-off in fine style with a 4-0 home win over Crewe FC on Wednesday.
Henry Buckley and Dan Haralambaus grabbed two goals apiece to secure a great start for Steve Lloyd’s men.
Tomorrow Vics travel to Grappenhall Sports (3pm).
Vauxhall Motors completed one of their swiftest, shrewdest pieces of business this week as keeper Lloyd Rigby signed for League One Stockport County.
The 21-year-old spent most of last season at Motors on loan from Rochdale, but signed for the Blue Square North outfit late last season having been released by the ‘Dale.
But this summer Jim Gannon, desperate for a keeper to support Owain fon Williams, turned his attention to the 6ft 2ins stopper.
On Wednesday, after featuring on the bench for the season’s opener at Huddersfield on Saturday courtesy of an emergency loan deal, Rigby signed for County.
Motors will receive a small fee, which will increase based on Rigby’s number of first-team appearances, a sell-on clause giving them a percentage of his next transfer fee, and a pre-season friendly next summer against Stockport.
Boss Carl Macauley has replaced Rigby with former Mansfield keeper James Coates, who made his debut in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Harrogate.
On Tuesday, Motors earned a point from their first home game of the season in a 1-1 draw with Stafford Rangers. Anthony Wright netted Motors’ late leveller.
Vauxhall host Redditch United tomorrow (3pm).
Airbus UK Broughton get their Welsh Premier League campaign under way tonight with a trip to newly-promoted Prestatyn Town.
Boss Craig Harrison is satisfied with his pre-season and can’t wait for tonight’s game.
He said: “I know how important pre-season is and we have had some good workouts. We played our reserve side on Saturday and that allowed us to work on a few things.
“We have a fully fit squad for Prestatyn and then, of course, we have a real tough match at Rhyl in the League Cup on Tuesday.
“That will be a feisty affair as our lads will want to show Gareth Owen he shouldn’t have left. I can see a few handbags been thrown about in that one!
“However, I think we have strengthened in the right areas. I have brought in Ashley Williams who was playing for Man City Reserves just 18 months ago. For whatever reason, it didn’t work out and I’m looking to him for big things this year.
“I have also been impressed with Tom Rowlands and our goalkeeper Chris Doran.”
