AFC Brightwell Youth got off to a winning start in Division 12B with a hard fought victory over a strong Didcot Town at Mackney Lane. Last season's top scorer Dellan Thornton opened his account for the campaign with a back post header inside 10 minutes after a deep cross from George Turner was flicked on.

The first half ebbed and flowed and was notable for some probing runs by Joe Webber and a number of excellent saves from the Didcot keeper. But despite both sides coming close a couple of times the first period closed out without further score.

In the second half AFCB settled quickly when Thornton added a second goal five minutes after the restart. Alex Halsey and Joe Morris started to win the midfield battle and linked well with Webber and Thornton who grabbed his hat-trick half way through the second half.

With players starting to feel the heat and a first half knock to skipper Dominic Booth, AFCB showed the squad strength when Alex Denham, Jordon Blake and Ashley Mason came off the bench to help maintain a clean sheet as Town continued to create chances.

And another substitute, Danny Beaumont made his claim for a starting position when a fully committed 15 minute run out culminated in him finishing a well worked move. Before the final whistle Thornton grabbed his fourth and the energetic Halsey capped off a fine debut with a terrific solo goal.

A big well done also to the other new AFCB signings Cameron Hawkings, Cameron ("Spud") Wetherall and new goalkeeper Fin Beckett who kept the side's first clean sheet for 10 months!