Whaddon United Reserves are new to Division One of the Cheltenham League this season but Kev Taylor’s promoted side came unstuck for the second time on Saturday, writes Rob Morrison.

Boss Taylor bolstered his squad with the signings of Lee Bolger and Rob Joynes, both of whom have experience higher up the football ladder.

But the two new signings were unable to stop their side going down 5-1 to another promoted team, Andoversford, as Sonnie Burrows helped himself to four goals, on the opening day of the campaign.

United travelled to Cheltenham Civil Service at the weekend in a fixture that Taylor always relishes, having led Service to a Minor Cup victory in the past as player/manager.

Both Bolger and Joynes played for Service in the Northern Senior League and they faced a team who have won their opening three league and cup matches.

A tough start got tougher for Whaddon because a Stu Midwinter hat-trick helped Service to a 4-0 win in a match that saw Jordan Arkle see red for Whaddon.

Andoversford won Division Two last season and they continued the fine form they had shown on the opening day with a 5-2 win over RSG.

Starting their fifth season in Division One, Welch Road-based RSG have never finished higher than fifth, and after their opening day 1-0 defeat at the hands of Newton it could be that they face a tough challenge to finish in the top four.

A 6-0 defeat in their first game of the season – a cup game against second division Fintan – was not a good start for Newton, but Wayne Baker’s men bounced back well, their victory at RSG last week in the league was followed up with a 5-4 midweek defeat of Whaddon in the cup.

However, their mini run ended with a 1-0 defeat by Dowty Dynamos.

In the final match in the division, Worcester Olympic travelled to Shurdington Rovers. Having joined from the Worcester League, Olympic will be an unknown quantity to many teams, although they enjoyed a year in Division Two in the 2015/16 season when they finished fifth.

Olympic started last weekend with a 2-2 draw with Kings but would have enjoyed this week’s game much more as they claimed all three points with a 7-1 win.

Into Division Two and after securing three points in their opening games last Saturday, The Beeches, Hanley Swan and Prestbury Rovers will all have been looking to continue the winning ways.

The Beeches introduced themselves with a 2-0 win at FC Barometrics Reserves having re-joined the league this season. They played Andoversford Reserves, 2-0 losers at Prestbury in their opening game, and showed real intent as they hammered their opponents 11-1

Following victory over Andoversford last Saturday, Prestbury looked to kick on when they hosted Pittville United. However, it was not to be as United took the points with a 6-4 win.

Hanley Swan secured a 3-2 victory at Gala Wilton Reserves on the opening weekend despite a red card for Mark Amot. The Worcestershire-based club were in Bishop’s Cleeve on Saturday to face an FC Barometrics team who, like last season, have started strongly in the cup but struggled in the league.

Baros showed they can produce decent form in the league as they beat Swan 4-1 to open their account for the season.

Having won the Division Two title last season, Bredon Reserves started life in the higher league at home to Fintan. The visitors have already demonstrated how dangerous they can be having put six past Division One Newton in the cup. And their fine form continued as they beat Bredon 2-0.

In the final game in the division, Southside Star hosted Gala Wilton Reserves. It has been a tumultuous pre-season for the Swindon Village-based club who saw their first team withdraw from the Northern Senior League before a ball was kicked.

Taking on the mantle of the club’s 1st XI, they started their league adventure having already beaten Pittville United 4-3 in the cup. They could not repeat the winning form however, as Gala went away with a 2-1 win.

There was a full league programme in Division Three with five teams kicking off their league season.

While St Pauls United, formed last season and still unbeaten in all competitions, will take much of the attention, the spotlight was on others this weekend as United were the odd ones out in a 13-team division.

In many years AFC Renegades’ record last season would have been enough to take the league title but they had to settle for second place behind United.

Like United they were only formed last season and, after promotion, got their 2017/18 league campaign off to a winning start last weekend as they saw off Charlton Rovers Reserves 4-0. While they were winning 4-0, their opponents at the weekend, Falcons Reserves were on the end of a 4-0 reversal.

Looking to get points on the board, Falcons’ season failed to improve this week as Renegades hit eight without reply to keep up their winning start

Probably the most experienced team in the division, Windyridge Rovers, were Falcons’ tormentors last Saturday, and with 15 goals in three league and cup matches they were looking to keep their scoring and winning run going against FC Lakeside Reserves.

The two teams were neck and neck in Division Four last season before Rovers beat Lakeside in their final game to open up a six-point margin.

Having lost their opening two cup games Lakeside were looking to get off the mark but the visitors proved too strong, easing to a 6-3 win.

Like Southside, Leckhampton Rovers saw their 1st team fold pre-season and the club, one of biggest in Cheltenham with a thriving junior section, will be keen to start progressing back through the divisions.

Last weekend they beat Dowty Dynamos Reserves 2-1 and on Saturday afternoon they travelled to Tewkesbury Road to face Cheltenham Civil Service III.

Service, Division Four champions last season, went down 5-3 in their opening match against St Pauls and they are still awaiting their first league points after Rovers took all three with a 3-1 win.

FC Barometrics III took the Division Three title last season but the relegation of their reserve team stopped them taking promotion. They kicked off their league campaign this weekend against Dowty Dynamos Reserves and showed their strength with a 6-1 win.

Charlton Rovers Reserves pushed hard for the Division Four title last season before dropped points later on in the season cost them dearly. The 4-0 defeat at Renegades was a rude welcome to the 2017/18 season and they were hoping to get points on the board against Kings Reserves.

While Lakeside could not get anything from their game, Charlton Rovers Reserves did bounce back, beating Kings Reserves 2-1.

In the early game, Cheltenham United hosted Brockworth Albion Reserves and with goals aplenty Albion took all three points with a 4-3 win.

There were no draws in Division Four last Saturday as six teams started their seasons with victories with Welland Reserves, the only team not in action, sitting in the middle of the table above the six losing teams.

Welland started their league season with a visit to Bishop’s Cleeve Development Reserves. Cleeve had a tough introduction to the league last Saturday going down 6-0 to Malvern Vale FC Firsts. They are still waiting for their first win after Welland won 2-0.

Smiths Athletic Reserves and Prestbury Rovers Reserves were both winners last weekend and the teams met on Saturday at Tewkesbury School. Athletic were relegated last season and they came off second best, beaten 6-1.

Woodmancote United joined the league this season and after three league and cup matches they are still looking for their first win. They played Gala Wilton III and will hope the 5-0 win will kickstart their season.

After their big win last weekend, Malvern Vale 1sts were looking to build on their victory when they hosted Charlton Rovers 3rds. They hit their visitors for seven as they made it two from two with a 7-1 victory.

In the final game, Malvern Vale FC Academy hosted Winchcombe Town. Both teams struggled somewhat in the league last season and opened up their account with defeats last weekend. Vale will be hoping the game is a sign of things to come as they came off the pitch with a 7-2 win.

The Cheltenham League is sponsored by Bristol Street Motors Cheltenham Ford.