Cardea Reserves (4-2-3-1): Bradley Kirchin; Luke Franklin, Shakeel Walker, Stuart Yaxley, Aaron Lewis; James Roberts, Mark Rayment; Nick Redhead, Matt Smith, Oliver Goymour; Dom Goymour. Subs: Peter Green, Andrew James, Kieron Mckenna, Jamie Baxter.

Early on Casterton made all the running in the game, pinning Cardea into their own half and goalkeeper Kirchin had to make some important saves to stop the away side taking the lead.

In the 27th minute the Casterton striker beat the offside trap and was brought down in the area by Kirchin for a penalty. The striker stepped up but his effort smashed the crossbar and bounced away to safety as the reserves rode their luck.

Out of nothing Cardea won a corner and Olly Goymour took it. The corner was cleared but Goymour was first to the ball and he beat a player and smashed an unstoppable shot from 25 yards which flew in off the inside of the post. The first goal of the season and you'll probably not see a better effort for the next 9 months.

Cardea held the lead until half time with captain Yaxley and centre back partner Walker performing at the top of their game in the Cardea back line repelling every ball sent forward.

HT: Cardea Reserves 1-0 Casterton FC

After half time Cardea hit Casterton with a double sucker punch. Two minutes into the half Dom Goymour played to Redhead in the area who smashed the ball into the top corner and then five minutes later Olly Goymour doubled his tally after slaloming through the Casterton defence and confidently finishing.

With 10 minutes of the half played Casterton got a foothold back in the game thanks to some questionable refereeing. Cardea had possession but the ref saw a block which no other player saw and a free kick was awarded on the edge of the area which was converted.

Midway through the half another controversial goal. Yaxley pulled his groin and had to be replaced as Cardea faced a corner. Andrew 'Frags' James came on for his 200th Cardea appearance, a record high for the club.

The Casterton corner was half cleared to the edge of the area and the shot back in went into the goal off the hand of a Casterton player to reduce the deficit to one goal.

Whereas last season reserve team would have folded under this pressure this new team thrived and went on the attack again.

Just four minutes later Franklin played the ball into Roberts who controlled it, cut back and passed to Dom Goymour who unleashed a great shot into the top corner. The forward didn't know how to celebrate his strike and ended up just running in circles!!

With the game heading into the last 5 minutes Cardea finished off the game once and for all when Smith found Dom Goymour in acres of space, the older Goymour ran half the pitch, into the area and finished coolly under the keeper to draw level on goals with his younger brother and wrap up the three points for Cardea.

FT: Cardea Reserves 5-2 Casterton FC

After the game manager Dan Chamberlain said: "What a great way to start the season against the team that won the league quite comfortably last season. We started very fast and looked to be the better side by a considerable margin. But struggled somewhat to deal with their shape. The lads came in at half time in the lead and listened well.

"Went back out and did exactly what was asked and what was required. We got set back after some questionable refereeing. But reacted very well to it and got our self a comfortable lead again.

"Really great performance and win, that sends a message to the rest of the league that we are here to compete! Congrats all, enjoy the rest of the weekend."

Assistant Louie Cooper added: "The boys worked hard, could have lost their head over a few bad decisions from the ref but stuck to the game plan and it paid off."

Next up for the reserves is a trip down the A1 to play Huntingdon Rovers.