Season's greetings

United started the new season with a win, beating relegated Bury 2-1 at the KasStad to go straight into the automatic promotion spots. It probably won't get any better than this! After a quiet start the game burst into life after half an hour when a Bury defender was judged to have deliberately handled the ball in the area. Skipper Andy Crosby blasted the ball into the top right hand corner to put United one up. Four minutes later the Us doubled their lead when Dean Whitehead played a delightful ball through to Manny Omoyinmi who went on to slip the ball past Glyn Garner in the Shakers' goal. It wasn't until the 87th minute that Bury clawed their way back into the game, George Clegg giving the visitors some forlorn hope of a comeback.

As expected United started with Andy Woodman in goal, a back four of Scott McNiven, Matt Robinson, Crosby and Matt Bound. Whitehead, James Hunt, Dave Waterman and Dave Savage were in midfield and the front pair consisted of Omoyinmi and Dave Oldfield. The returning prodigal, Bobby Ford, replaced Savage four minutes into the second half and with about fifteen minutes remaining Andy Scott came on for Oldfield. Steve Basham had a chance to tread the turf when he came on for Manny with about a minute to go.

Referee M Messias showed yellow cards to Savage and Waterman for fouls and Manny for diving. The attendance was a disappointing 5,309 and a match report can be here.

Hartlepool have gone to the top of the Third following their 3-1 win at Carlisle, whilst Boston's 2-2 draw with Bournemouth leaves them only three points adrift at the bottom. None of the clubs relegated from Division Two last season won: United's next opponents Wrexham drew 1-1 at Scunthorpe and Cambridge United lost 2-1 at home to Darlington. Carlisle registered the best attendance, their 10,684 just 235 more than saw Hull draw 2-2 with Southend. At the other end of the scale there were just 2,586 witnesses to Macclesfield and York's 1-1 draw, 101 fewer than saw Kidderminster and Lincoln fight out a similar scoreline.