MARTIN Dawson smashed an opening-day hat-trick as Cholsey United got off to a flying start in the top-flight, writes TIM SIRET.

Promoted after winning Division 2 last season, Cholsey impressed against Dorchester United in the Premier Division, running out 9-1 winners.

Dawson’s treble led the way, with Paolo Di Pasquale (2), Michael Woods, Steve Gair, Alejandro Rodriguez and an own goal completing the scoring.

David Murphy hit Dorchester’s solitary reply.

Fellow Division 2-promoted side Yellows Eagles lost 4-1 at Kings Arms Wheatley, but gave a good account of themselves.

Lloyd Little scored for Eagles, but strikes from Luke Cuff, Yahnick Hkwanyd, Jay Hill (pen) and Benji Cuff sealed the points.

AFC Jericho started brightly with a 4-2 win at Barton United.

Jack Hayhurst (2), Ben Curtis’s penalty and Louis Joyce found the net, with an Aaron Williams spot-kick and Lance New own goal replying for Barton.

Zubry Oxford and Railway Wheatley, both promoted from Division 3, started life in Division 1 with victories.

Railway beat AFC Crowmarsh 2-0 thanks to goals from Daniel Smith and Tom Williams and a penalty save from keeper Jamie Surman.

Zubry trailed to a Guy Lowe goal in their game against King & Queen Wheatley, but doubles from Seb Ciekielski and Tomasz Serednicki gave them a 4-1 away win.

Marc Gass grabbed a treble as Saxton Pirates won 5-4 at Northway. Paul Moran and Ryan Johnson also scored.

Forest Hill thumped Abingdon Exiles 8-1 in Division 2.

Josh Gonzalez (2), Steve West, Jamie Hiscock, James Robertson, Jackson Cole, Matthew Wigley and Mark Colson were all on target, with John Monnery hitting back for Exiles.

Chris Stringer hit a treble to help Sutton Wanderers to a 7-3 home win over Northway Res.

Luke French, Mike James, Phil McCabe and Peter Hill all netted, with ex-Oxford United winger Joey Beauchamp (2) and Daniel Lawrence replying.

Division 3 new boys Woodstock Wanderers started life in the league with a commanding 8-1 win against Milton Midgets.

Jimmy Bowerman’s four-timer was the best individual performance of the opening day, with Steve Foreman, Tom Nee, Ryan Thorne and Ashley Skinner adding further goals for Wanderers. James Carlini replied for Milton.

OTHER SCORERS Div 2: Checkendon Exiles 1 (T Allen), AFC Valley 1 (N Wehmeier); Iffley Harriers 2, The Tree Grove 4 (J James 2, D Thomas, T Eatwell); White Horse Abingdon 1 (J Ivey), Freeland Yeoman 5 (E Simlett 3, M Hardy, S Calley).

Div 3: Black Swan 6 (A Greenaway 3, D Cox 2, W Waldron), ABBA Athletic 2 (A Leach, S Probbits); FC Hagbourne 2 (J Moon 2), AFC Brightwell 1 (L Chainey); Green Tree Wallingford 0, JET 4 (A Steer 2, A Aquilina, C Baker); North Oxford Conservative Club 3 (D Trevelian, A Potter, og), Watlington Wanderers 0.