AFC MELKSHAM, who were expected to challenge for the Premier Division crown, suffered a 2-1 defeat at newly-promoted FC North Wiltshire.

Melksham took the lead through Jordan Kirk in the second half, but Richard Tandy’s penalty on 60 minutes and Matt Webb headed home Aaron Leask’s cross to seal the points.

North Star Club could only field 10 men for their opening clash with Bell By The Green and suffered a 3-2 loss.

Leigh Blanchard and Neil Fletcher put Bell 2-0 ahead before Tom King pulled a goal back prior to the break.

Debutant Stefan Rossi regained the two-goal advantage before Luke Palfrey scored a second for Star to set up a nervy finish.

Promoted Box Rovers enjoyed an opening day 4-0 victory at FC Bradford, Leigh Rogers' double, plus Rhys Lock and Emilio Mudrak the scorers.

Bath Road suffered a 2-1 loss at Semington, for whom Richard Allum and Chris Dore netted before Matt Spear’s debut reply for Bath Road.

Toby Wells scored the extra time winner for FC Lacock in their 3-2 victory at fellow Chippenham & District Sunday league outfit Westbury Rangers in the preliminary round of the Wiltshire Sunday Cup.

Goals from Jordon Miners and Wells had twice got Lacock back on terms after DJ Wheeler and Chris Steele had put Rangers 1-0 and 2-1 ahead in the 90 minutes before Wells netted in the second half of extra time. White Hart overturned a 2-1 half-time deficit at second division stablemates Sporting Box to claim a 4-2 success.

James Wymouth and Mike Pattemore netted for Box, but Aaran Tyler, Matt Smart and Steve Browning’s double won it for Hart.