Fleur De Lys were this season's first visitors to the Clarence Sports Ground and this was also the first ever competitive meeting between the two sides.

Both teams went into the game buoyed by opening day successes with Watersedge Park winning 4-0 away at AC Copnor and Fleur De Lys coming out on top of a 5-4 victory at home to AFC Portchester Reserves.

Both teams certainly showed that they had goals in them, however it was clear early on that the Edge were up for the tie carving out the clearest opportunities in the first 20 minutes. At the other end the Edge defence also looked strong despite the absence of key man Neal Till in the centre of defence. Holding midfielder Aaron Watson was given the nod to partner Lewis Marsden as Jamie Dunne was forced to pull out of the game following the birth of his son.

The Watersedge back four started the game strongly looking to build on another clean sheet which had seen them not concede for over 180 minutes. As the half went on Watersedge grew in confidence and were handed the opportunity to take the lead on 33 minutes after a long mazy run by Brad Street was ended when he was deemed to have been tripped in the box. Lewis Marsden stepped up and cooly converted the first penalty of the new season powering the ball into bottom left corner.

Marsden who had suffered a heavily disrupted season throughout 2018/19 due to injury had hoped that his bad luck on the field had ended after getting through every minute of pre season and the first game of the new season. This hope however proved to be short-lived as the goalscorer picked up a knee injury in the 38th minute in what looked to be an innocuous challenge. Utility man Michael Anslow slipped into defence to form a make-shift back four.

Despite the reshuffle Watersedge continued to take charge of the game with some free-flowing football and it was a cleverly worked move between Wes Street, Lee Watson and Brad Street in the 40th minute which completely exposed the Fleur De Lys back four to leave Brad Street with the simplest of tap ins to double the home team's lead. A clever through ball from youngster Wes Street played in central midfielder Lee Watson who took a wide touch to pass the onrushing goalkeeper before back-heeling to Brad Street to finish the move off.

The second goal seemed to spark life into the away side who despite lacking any real potency going forward would have felt that they had remained competitive in the first half. Fleur De Lys finished the half the stronger of the two sides with Watersedge keeper Danny Udy having to make a couple of smart saves to ensure the lead was preserved.

Protecting a two goal lead, Watersedge Park went into the second half desperate to not concede and it was clear that they were looking to weather the inevitable Fleur De Lys onslaught and try to catch them on the break to put the game to bed. Fleur De Lys continued to knock on the door but again the Watersedge back four remained solid. With plenty of ability going forward, it was the counter attack which did finally put the game to bed with a lofted ball from Brad Street through to Ben Jewell on the wing who's pace took him in behind the back four before cooly slotting in a 3rd goal for Watersedge in the 61st minute.

The three goal lead was to be short lived though, with a spirited and youthful Fleur De Lys showing that they were not giving up on this game. The away side pulled a goal back in the 63rd minute following a corner that was cleared out to the edge of the box, the Fleur De Lys player firing a rocket of a strike first time into the top corner leaving Udy with absolutely no chance. The goal injected life into the away side who were now on top and pressing Watersedge. Despite giving up the chance of a third clean sheet in a row, the Watersedge defence remained settled and defended superbly throughout the remaining 20 minutes.

Other than a potential shout of handball in the penalty area the away side struggled to break down a determined Watersedge team as the match passed on. The game ended 3-1 to Watersedge who continued their positive start to the new season. A maximum of 6 points from a possible 6 now leaves the side in second place behind free scoring Jameson Arms. Next week the Edge take on AFC Portchester Reserves at the Clarence Ground as they look to maintain their 100% record.

Man of the match - Lee Watson