Opening day round-up: Super Luca wins it for Robins

Ashton United got their NPL Premier season off to a flying start on Saturday with a 3-0 win away to Gainsborough Trinity. 

A brace from debutant Luca Navarro helped The Robins to their first opening day victory since the 2022/23 campaign. 

It only took last season’s top scorer Darius Osei 44 minutes to open his 2025/26 account, as he headed home Sean Newton’s inch perfect delivery to put his side ahead. 

After coming on at half-time, it didn’t take long for substitute Navarro to put his stamp on the game, cutting in from the left and finding the top corner on 73 minutes with a trademark finish. 

The winger then made it a brace two minutes from the end, calmly slotting home after a swift counter-attack and sealing all three points. 

“We’re going to win the league aren’t we,” joked a jubilant Steve Cunningham at full-time. 

“It’s three points, three great goals and a clean sheet to start the season against one of the fancied sides, but we certainly won’t be getting carried away. 

“We’ve got to go to Tuesday now and play a really tough opponent in Prescot Cables.” 

Elsewhere, Hyde United opened their campaign with a win for the first time in seven years, defeating Lancaster City by a single goal. 

A lightning quick start at the Project Solar Stadium saw Jordan Scanlon fire the Tigers ahead after just two minutes. 

Hyde had chances to double their lead but were unable to do so, with Tom Pratt rattling the crossbar in the second half, but one goal was to be enough thanks to a stellar performance from their new number one Yusuf Mersin. 

A string of superb saves from the former Turkey youth international saw him keep a clean sheet and earn the man of the match award. 

"I don’t remember Hyde United winning 1-0 and their goalkeeper getting man of the match, it’s been a long time,” commented Tigers boss Nick Spooner after the win. 

“I’m pleased for the big man [Yusuf Mersin], I’m really pleased for the supporters, and overall, I think we deserved to win the game.” 

In the NPL West, Stalybridge Celtic were only five minutes away from securing a statement win in their opening bout with Vauxhall Motors, but a late equaliser from the hosts saw the points shared. 

Summer signing Ruben Jerome broke the deadlock from the spot early in the second half and was inches away from a second just ten minutes later when his curling effort flew just over. 

Bridge would go onto rue this missed opportunity five minutes from time when Adam Hughes had the final say, drawing his side level. 

“A mistake has cost us really,” said Celtic boss Jon Macken following the draw. 

"But I think overall it's a really positive performance. 

“The work rate, energy, and some of the football we played was great to see, and overall, I’m pleased to be coming away with a point.” 

In the National League North, Curzon Ashton began their season in the same way they finished the last as Leamington once again held them to a 1-1 draw at the Tameside Stadium. 

After a summer of change, The Nash – led out by new head coach Mark Bradshaw – lined up with an 11 made up of seven debutants. 

Two of these combined to put Curzon ahead just after the break, with teenage Fleetwood Town loanee Crispin McClean clipping the ball into former Hyde United forward Brad Holmes, who swept home from close range. 

Moments later, McClean came agonisingly close to doubling his side's lead when his teasing delivery evaded everyone in the Leamington penalty area and cannoned back out off the post. 

The visitors then drew level just five minutes later, as Miro Pais had the freedom of Ashton to drive into the penalty area and rifle past former Leamington stopper Callum Hawkins. 

“I thought we did well,” assistant coach Jack Salkeld told the Reporter following the stalemate. 

“We’ve got to give Leamington credit, they frustrated us, and they do every time we play them. 

“To be honest me and the gaffer always say we hate playing them, because they know how to not concede many goals. 

“Overall, we’re happy with a few things but we created a lot of chances and didn’t take them, which is frustrating.” 

Bradshaw’s side continue their National League North campaign this Saturday with a trip to newly promoted Telford United. 

Finally, Alex Craddock’s reign at Mossley began with a 1-0 defeat at home to NPL West new boys Lower Breck. 

The Lilywhites had chances to go ahead, with Lower Breck stopper Theo Roberts producing a terrific double save early on to firstly deny Gee Baltazar, and latterly Reece Webb-Foster on the follow-up, but it was the visitors who found the only goal of the game. 

A quick counter-attack saw Alex Cherera break with pace and slot past Fin Madigan, and despite having an effort cleared off the line, Craddock’s side were unable to find the elusive equaliser. 

“It was a great advert for the league,” said the Yorkshireman following the topsy-turvy encounter. 

“We’ve just come out on the wrong end of it unfortunately.”