FOWLMERE got their BIS Division 1A season off to a winning start with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Gamlingay United on Saturday. Danny Mizon s 60th minute half-volley from Dan Caley s cross secured all three points for Steve Walker s men, who were given a

FOWLMERE got their BIS Division 1A season off to a winning start with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Gamlingay United on Saturday.

Danny Mizon's 60th minute half-volley from Dan Caley's cross secured all three points for Steve Walker's men, who were given a real test by their newly-promoted hosts.

Mizon had earlier missed a golden opportunity to give his side the lead and, were it not for some important saves from Fowlmere's goalkeeper Paul Harben in the last 15 minutes, the result could have been very different.

Walker was pleased to start the season with a win, but was also quick to praise Gamlingay, who finished second in BIS Division 2A last season.

"They are a good team," he said.

"They have got a winning mentality from the previous division and I think they will more than hold their own in Division 1."

Of his own team's performance, Walker said: "In the first half we were playing with the wind against us, which made it difficult for us to get deliveries deep, so I was pleased to go in 0-0 at half-time.

"I thought we dominated for the first 30 minutes of the second half, but then Paul Harben made some fantastic saves to keep us in it in the last 15 minutes."

"I think that we hung on a bit at times, but our team spirit was phenomenal and our energy and work-rate was second to none," he added.

Fowlmere are next in action on Saturday, at home to another promoted side, Cambridge University Press Reserves.

Walker will once more have to make do without defender Ian Ruggles (suspension) and George Kew, who has yet to recover from injury.

Fowlmere: Harben, King, Poole, Ridings, O'Farrell, Darcy, J Carver, Woods, Frostik, Mizon, Caley.Substitutes: D Carver, Fidgett, Audley, Kew.

STEEPLE Morden slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Ashdon Villa on Saturday in their opening match of the new BIS Division 3A season.

Despite missing several players through suspensions and holidays, Kenny Watters' men started the match brightly, but lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

Ashdon Villa went in front in the 11th minute following a defensive lapse, and extended their lead after 55 minutes when the unfortunate Joe Morris deflected a cross into his own net.

Watters said: "I don't believe Ashdon are a better side than us, but we could not make our opportunities count.

"There is a lot of football to be played this season and I believe we have a good side, and some of the young lads showed they have real potential and an appetite for hard work."

Steeple Morden are next in action on Saturday, when they take on Lode at the Recreation Ground.