Team Redstar entertained a youthful looking Number 1 Pub FC in their opening Grimsby Sunday League Division 3 encounter of the 2007 - 2008 season at Lucarlys and began their season with a 4 - 2 victory. Despite having Lee Ford, Rocky Ware, Craig Nuttall, Darren Todd, Marco Sotgiu, Dave Maggs and Luke O Hare missing, the home side staged a battling comeback to continue where they had left off last term. Number 1 looked the more eager team as the game began as their young guns pressed the ball high up the park. It was no surprise when they took the lead albeit rather lucky. A long ball was played over the top of the Redstar defence which was controlled by a Pub forward on the arm. With the referee waving away the Redstar protests, the striker took his shot early which took stand in goalkeeper Chapple by surprise. He got down early and parried the strike but as the ball ballooned up in the air with the Pub forward steaming in for a tap in, Chapple's attempted punch to safety whilst grounded saw the ball spin off his fist and wind up in the net anyway. The lead was short lived though when Danny Mccann levelled matters when he held of his marker with his back to goal before spinning on a sixpence to smack home into the bottom corner. Both teams played some good stuff during the 1st half with Redstar passing most balls to feet and Pub using the more direct route. Halftime came and went but this time Redstar were in no mood to give up the ghost and took over almost complete control of the match. After good work by that man Mccann, Matty Conroy rammed home to give his side the lead. On the hour, his brother John held off his man, ran into the penalty area and battered his shot past the helpless Pub keeper for 3 - 1. Number 1 Pub then began to let their tempers get the better of them and were late with a few challenges which resulted in a couple of yellow cards. They did pull a goal back though when a winger rounded Chapple and shot goalwards. Despite Gav Johnstone and Dave Duff on the line, the ball still managed to deflect just inside the far post for 2 - 3. Gary Cox wrapped up all 3 points for the Smarts News men when some intricate 1 touch pass and movement between several Redstar players saw him 1st time sweep the ball past the Pub keeper and into the onion bag via the upright. Team Redstar had to stand up and be counted as the Pub side tried to get away with some ridiculous challenges but Nick Woods was having none of it and gave as good as he got time and time again. Ian Blackmore was, as usual, the engine for Redstar but surprisingly Luke Borrill had a quiet contest. Ross Atmore and Gav Johnstone were immense at the back and jointly shared the man of the match award.