LEAMINGTON FC stormed to the top of the National League North table after securing their biggest opening day win in 59 years against Farsley Celtic.
Dan Turner started and completed the scoring with Max Dearnley’s own goal and Jack Lane’s header handing the Brakes an emphatic 4-0 win at the Your Co-Op Community Stadium.
And Leamington scored the first goal of the National League season on 10 minutes when Turner finished at the back post from Jack Edwards’ ball across goal after he was picked out by Devon Kelly-Evans.
The in-form striker almost doubled his tally with a neat header from Adam Walker’s superb cross from the right only to be denied by Farsley goalkeeper Dearnley
And the Brakes extended their lead on 20 minutes when Walker’s header came back off the crossbar and rebounded onto the back of the unfortunate Dearnley and into the Farsley net.
The home side welcomed defender Simeon Maye back into the fold after an 11-month absence and he showed just how much the club missed his presence last season with a consummate performance.
At the other end, Leamington continued to thrive and trebled their lead when Lane looped a fine header into the goal from the right-hand side of the penalty area.
And the Brakes added their fourth goal two minutes after the break when Turner crashed the ball home at the far post from Maye’s right-wing cross.
The hosts came close to scoring a fifth goal when Brakes captain Edwards thumped a powerful header against the crossbar from Kelly-Evans’ floated cross.
Turner missed the chance to complete his hat-trick when he saw his low effort gathered by Dearnley at the second attempt.
Farsley player-coach Dave Syers went close for the visitors with an audacious lob that dropped just past the far post.
And the away side then forced Brakes keeper Callum Hawkins into a fine save at full stretch as he pushed Frank Mulhern’s shot over the bar.
Leamington are next in action away at Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday, August 13 with kick-off at 3pm at Aggborough.
