Saturday's Ryman North action review

Three of the newly-promoted clubs to the Ryman North Division enjoyed successful starts on the opening day of the 2013-14 campaign, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

Burnham Ramblers won 3-0 at Waltham Abbey with goals from Neil Richmond, Luca Franks and Brad Nobbs while Barkingside beat Cheshunt 2-1 at Oakside. The Essex side's winner came courtesy of goal from Aaron Scott in 90th minute after Matt Gulfer had cancelled out Miles Mitchell-Coop's 28th minute opener for the Ambers.

Erith & Belvedere won 3-1 at home to Oakside-based team Redbridge, courtesy of goals from Marvin Alebiosu after nine minutes, Mo Conteh on 35 and Richard Morgan five minutes after half-time – all after Danny Charge had given the Motormen a third minute lead.

Of the division's newcomers, only Dereham Town suffered opening day blues after they went down by the same score at home to Heybridge Swifts. Luke Callander had given the visitors a 41st minute lead before Town's Danny Beaumond equalised on 57 minutes. But Callander again five minutes later, and Aaron Greene in stoppage time, turned the game in Swifts' favour.

Aveley made the most of their home advantage by overwhelming Wroxham 6-1 at Millfield. The Norfolk side have lost several of last season's team after their manager moved to AFC Sudbury and fears that a reliance on youth may be their undoing may have been borne out by this result.

After Joe Marsden had given the Yachtsmen the lead just before the break, Ross Wall helped himself to a second half hat-trick, with Sosthene Yao, Anton Stephenson and a Shane Oakley penalty completing a remarkable turnaround for Justin Gardner's side.

But mostly it was a day for the visiting teams with six of the twelve North Division games ending in away wins.

In the circumstances Ware's 0-1 reverse at Wodson Park against Chatham Town, whose Kalvin Morath-Gibbs was on target nine minutes from time, doesn't seem so bad, the other five home defeats being by bigger margins.

Worst affected were Waltham Forest who 'celebrated' their return to Wadham Lodge after a five-year wait by losing 5-0 to VCD Athletic. But it was a good return for the visitors after they were forcibly relegated to Step 5 on ground grading issues in 2010.

Sherwin Stanley was the Kent side's hero, netting a hat-trick with goals in the 20th, 25th and 62nd minutes. Ian Duckworth and Vences Bola added the others.

After Thurrock's failed appeal against relegation they have more wounds to lick thanks to another 3-1 scoreline - a home defeat to AFC Sudbury, who confirmed their status as one of the favourites for promotion.

Ben Thompson gave the Suffolk side a 17th minute lead that Joe Nouble levelled right on half-time. But Jamie Forshaw and Scott Mitchell added further goals for Sudbury in the final 18 minutes to win it.

Favourites status is shared with Witham Town amongst others who won 3-0 at Tilbury. Tom Devaux on 13 minutes, Jamar Dobson on 29 and Tom Wraight two minutes later were the scorers for Garry Kimble`s side.

Needham Market, under Mark Morsley, won by the same scoreline at home against Romford, with ex-Ipswich defender Ian Westlake opening the scoring as early as the second minute. But Market didn't seal victory until the final five minutes when Lee Townrow and Sam Newson made it 3-0.

Maldon & Tiptree, who looked certain for promotion last season until a late dip in form, have started the new campaign well after seeing off neighbours Brentwood Town 3-1 at home with goals from Ollie Berquez, Leon McKenzie and Joe Gardner – all after Ben Bradbury had given the visitors a 15th minute lead.

The only draw of the day came at Soham Town Rangers, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Harlow Town, whose Alex Read cancelled out Luke Stanley's opener right on half-time for Rangers just past the hour-mark.