Recap

Under Rated just about managed to avoid being thrown into the lions den of the top division, and instead will attempt to make their own way there by picking up promotion from the Championship. The Veterans came close to a top two finish last season, and would be keen to show that last season wasn’t a flash in the pan.

When Stuart Carter opened the scoring for Under Rated in the second minute, there were thoughts of a comfortable opening night win, but The Veterans proved a tough prospect for all teams last season and weren’t going to lie down and have their belly tickled. Two goals from Ben Mercer gave the Veterans a 2-1 lead before we’d reached the 10 minute mark, and Sam Collicott made that 3-1 half way through the period. Under Rated slightly scraped over the line towards the end of the League One season, but they fought back and were level by the break when Steven Batho scored twice in the last three minutes of the half.

Carter got a goal in the opening minute of the second half as the second period started in similar fashion to the first, and as with the first half The Veterans hit back again as Dean Minshull levelled things up again 5 minutes later, before putting them in front with 12 minutes left. The Under Rated response was more immediate this time as Batho got his third a minute later, before they ran away with it in the final 5 minutes. Colin Stelfox made it 6-5 5 minutes from time, before two more Batho goals and one more each for Carter and Stelfox gave Under Rated an opening day win by a scoreline that could be considered to be slightly flattering.