Wivenhoe Town 1, Great Yarmouth Town 4First Division champions Yarmouth, proved too strong for last season's Premier backmarkers Wivenhoe when the Bloaters made a successful start on their return to the top tier as they broke new ground at Broad Lane.

Wivenhoe Town 1, Great Yarmouth Town 4

First Division champions Yarmouth, proved too strong for last season's Premier backmarkers Wivenhoe when the Bloaters made a successful start on their return to the top tier as they broke new ground at Broad Lane.

This was even without talisman goal scorer Stewart Roach following his rapid move to Norwich United late in the week.

Luke Fell (19 minutes) and Dominic Smith (34) struck two powerful blows to put Yarmouth firmly in command, and Gavin Norman made it three just before the break after seizing on a weak back pass and poking the ball past the stranded home goalkeeper.

Yarmouth had totally dominated the first half and increased their lead through Jake Reed on the hour when his delicate finish was well-placed to defeat the flailing Dragons' keeper's dive.

The home side did finally start putting together some attacking moves and Lewis Blanchett pulled one back when allowed a free shot at the back post 12 minutes from time.

Young Bloaters' keeper Jake Jessup on his competitive debut made a couple of cracking saves in each half, but Yarmouth also went close on several other occasions.

“I was just pleased for the players really, such a young team,” said Yarmouth manager Paul Tong. “Archie (Jake Jessup) in goal for instance is only 16 years old and is another of our youth players to come through. Our new signing Richard Durrant slotted in superbly at the back alongside Craig Roberts, but it was a good all-round performance.

“However, one swallow doesn't make a summer and there will be tougher challenges to come, but it is a good start and I'm looking forward to it now!”

On the subject of his departed leading goal scorer, Tong remarked: “Stewart's a legend and he'll always be welcome at the club as long as I'm here and I'm sure others.

“His circumstances changed and you can't blame the lad under the circumstances. It's the end of one chapter and the start of another. We'll miss his quality for sure but today, with what we played against, I thought the boys did enough.”