Premier Division

Raunds Town  1    Rothwell Corinthians  3

Saturday, 08 August 2009

The season's opening day was one to remember for Rothwell Corinthians as last season's Premier bottom markers claimed their first ever away victory in the top flight.

The Shopmates went in front after ten minutes through summer recruit Curtis Long, but two of Corinths' own new men sent them crashing to defeat.

Ex-Desborough striker Lee Thomson equalised from fifteen yards after 22 minutes.

The Shopmates missed a chance to regain the lead when a penalty awarded for handball against Andy Allison but Josh Davis's kick was saved by Brad Wilson and seven minutes before the break former Stewarts & Lloyds front man Bobby Drain gave the visitors the half time lead, firing home a left footed shot after his first effort was blocked.

Thomson's second goal ten minutes from time put Corinths out of reach.

Raunds had Gavin Fitzgerald sent off on an opening day to forget.

Raunds: Michael Freeman, Ben Allington (Adam Kirkup), Aaron Campion, Jamie Moss, Gavin Fitzgerald, Stuart Smeathers, Curtis Long, Ricky Chambers, Karl Bates (Danny Jackson), Josh Davis, Jon Tite (Jamie Chatfield).  

Rothwell: Brad Wilson, Ryan Cottingham, John Mackay, Chris Dunn (Andy Allison), Jason Singh, Kevin Fox (Micky Harman), Dan Rogers (Dean Murray), James Lorimer, Lee Thomson, Bobby Drain, Ben Johnson.