DEESIDE Ramblers got their Northern Premier Division campaign off to a flying start as they won 4-2 at Ben Rhydding on Saturday.

Ghazanfar Ali scored a hat-trick, including two flicks from penalty corners.

Ibrar Latif skipped through three defenders to fire home before Ali put the talismanic Hedley Pollard through with a reverse stick move, allowing the prolific Deeside ace to begin his season with a goal.

Deeside 2nds drew 4-4 with Rhyl, coming back from 2-0 down at one stage, with goals from Phil Brown, captain David Cheshire, Andy Stammers and Danny Haskell.

League reorganisation pitted four Ramblers teams against each other on Saturday, as the 4ths beat the 5ths 3-1 and the 6ths beat the 7ths 4-2.

Deeside Ramblers Ladies ground out a 0-0 draw at Sheffield Hallam Ladies in the Northern Premier Division.

The game was a baptism of fire for Deeside against a side who last season plied their trade in the National League.

Deeside forced several saves from the Sheffield keeper but were unable to convert their shots.

At the other end, Sheffield’s attacks were thwarted by a solid wall of Deeside defenders who were well organised by Nicky Capes in goal.

Chester Ladies began their Northern Premier Division season with a 5-1 loss at home to Bowdon 2nds.

Captain Donna Jones had a goal disallowed in the second half but Sophie Clough was able to register a consolation strike. Player-of-the-match was the hard-working defender Rachel Thomas.

The Ladies 2nds raised the curtain on the North West Feeder League season with a 7-0 loss to Crewe. This season promises to be a tough one for the newly-promoted second string.

At half-time it was 1-0 but, as Chester tired, the floodgates opened. Chester’s PoM was Abigail Church.

The men’s fourth team enjoyed better fortunes as they began the season with a 4-2 win over Bebington. R Nicholas opened the scoring in the first half and D Hockenhull added the second from a well-worked short corner.

Bebington pulled one back before half-time but, after the break, Nicholas and Hockenhull scored again as the match ended 4-2.

Chester 5ths also won, seeing off Knutsford 3rds 4-3 with goals from man-of-the- match Matt Warburton (3) and Luke Hawkins.