Cardea FC (3-5-2): Gavin Sampson; Anthony Kiernan, Stuart Yaxley, Michael Williams; Marius Balosu, Shane Cooke, Kieran Hart, Aaron Yeoman, Adam Simons; Rob Ames, David Grimwood. Subs: Kynan Bereznyckyj, Charlie Bosett.

Limetree started the better of the two teams and dictated the pace throughout the first half. Cardea keeper Sampson showed he was in top form inside the first twenty minutes with a string of good saves to keep out a free kick and headers from corners.

The Cardea defence looked a lot more solid in the 3-5-2 formation with Yaxley, Williams and Kiernan playing well together and reading the game well to keep the UCL standard attack of Limetree quiet.

It was Cardea who went in ahead at half time against the run of play. Wingback Balosu produced an outstanding piece of skill on the half way line to get past a Limetree midfielder, he passed to Yeoman and ran into space. Yeoman lifted the ball over the top and found the run of Balosu who produced a fantastic volley from 25 yards out into the top corner. The goal of the season contest looks to be over inside the first half of the first game.

After half time Cardea doubled their lead. After breaking up a Limetree attack Williams spotted Hart on the move and produced a pin point pass over the top of the Limetree defence for Hart to run onto. The attacker kept his feet and his composure to slot passed the keeper to make it 2-0.

The hard working Cardea midfield trio made the transition from defence to attack quickly throughout the game and worked some great balls to the strikers as well as helping the defence when needed, Cooke didn't lose a header all game.

Cardea scored their third midway through the second half. A free kick was sent into the area and fell to Ames whose shot deflected in off a Limetree defending to put Cardea in a commanding position.

However, just minutes later Limetree were on the scoresheet. A free kick from just on the edge of the area was powered into the top corner to reduce the deficit to 3-1.

The final 25 minutes was a show of strength from the Cardea defence who refused to be breached again. The one time the ball did finish in the net the goal was ruled out for offside.

Cardea had opportunities to add a fourth with Bosett and Ames both having chances. Bosett also produced one of the most blatant dives ever seen to win a free kick on the edge of the area. Cooke took the kick but the keeper produced a flying save to keep it out.

The referee called an end to the game and it was a great start to the season for Cardea.

After the game manager Craig Robinson said: "Very impressed with everyone today. Knew it would be hard as Limetree are a very strong side. Everyone rolled their sleeves and up and worked their bollocks off, back 3 have done superbly well to keep their 2 UCL standard strikers quiet.

"The midfield pressed and were strong in tackles, wide men were up and down all game and front 2 closed and pressed the ball well. Superb start to the season.

"MOTM could be any of the players but Gav Sampson wins it today, faultless in goal, handling superb and kicking perfect. On to Allbright next week! Well done!"

Next up for Cardea is a trip to PSL to take on AFC Allbright next Sunday.