LIFE in the top flight of the Thurlow Nunn League could not have got off to a better start for COGGESHALL TOWN.

Having earned promotion from division one at the end of their first year in senior football, Coggeshall showed they are ready for the step up to the premier division with an opening day win at Fakenham Town.

It was a great start for the Seedgrowers and they made their intentions clear early on as Josce Syrett slotted home their first goal in the sixth minute.

It was followed by a strike from Conor Hubble to give the visitors a 2-0 advantage at half-time and it was one they protected after the break as Fakenham were unable to find a way to get back into the game.

And the three opening-day points were made safe in the 76th minute when Syrett doubled his own tally to give Coggeshall a 3-0 victory.

Coggeshall are due to have their first home premier division game of the season on Tuesday when they host STANWAY ROVERS, who will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing opening day.

Rovers were hoping to make a winning start in their first Thurlow Nunn League game under new manager Kem Izzet but went down to a 3-1 defeat by Thetford Town at the Hawthorns.

Things were looking good early on for Izzet's side as they took the lead in the 16th minute when former Colchester United striker Jamie Guy fired home from the penalty spot.

However, it wasn't a lead that lasted until half-time as Thetford levelled in the 40th minute when Max Melanson headed home and they built on that after the break.

There was nothing between the two sides until the 78th minute when Thetford's Sam Bond headed in from a Ross Bailey free-kick and as Stanway chased the game in the closing stages, they were hit on the break as Melanson completed his brace in the 83rd minute.

While it wasn't a great opening day for Stanway, it was certainly one to forget for FC CLACTON as they started their season by being hit for six at home.

It was visiting Walsham le Willows who did the damage and most of that came in a first half that the Seasiders won't want to be reminded of.

They found themselves trailing 5-0 after the first 45 minutes of their premier division campaign as an Andrew Cusack penalty was followed by two Ryan Gibbs goals, and one apiece for Craig Nurse and Ryan Clark.

Having been stunned by that, Clacton did a bit better in the second half but a Callum Dongay goal extended Walsham's lead further.

BRANTHAM ATHLETIC started their season with a goalless draw at Long Melford.

In division one, HOLLAND FC got their campaign off to a positive start as Ray Turner's side won 3-0 at March Town United.

Keelan Sorrel made a sensational impact with a left-footed volley that flew in from 30 yards and new addition Tom Holdstock fired home in either half for an opening-day brace for Holland.