by JOHN CAMPANY

THE early pacesetters in the Essex and Suffolk Border League premier division are White Notley.

They followed up their 6-0 trouncing of Flitch United in midweek to overcome last season’s runners-up, Tiptree Heath, 3-1 on Saturday.

Twelve goals from their opening three games suggest manager Dean Grace is committed to attacking football and he was rewarded with goals from Robbie Bennett, Sean Radley and Ryan Schofield.

Cameron Ward got the visitors' reply.

Second-place Alresford Colne Rangers have also made a good start in gaining a comfortable 3-0 win over promoted Tiptree Heath, at Ford Lane.

Brett Bellamy scored a brace and Shane Goodyear added a third, ensuring seven points from three matches.

Earls Colne followed up their midweek defeat at Barnston with a comfortable 3-0 victory over last season’s first division champions, Flitch United.

Flitch have made an ominous start to senior football and, after two matches, they find themselves propping up the remaining premier division clubs.

However, they have only played twice.

Colne’s marksmen were Keiran Adams, Jeffrey Ashbong and Cameron Easter.

Hatfield Peverel caused a major surprise in the midweek clash at Bromley Road, beating champions Gas Recreation 5-1.

It was a result that perhaps suggests the premier division is going to be an open affair this campaign.

Then, hosting Brantham Athletic Reserves on Saturday, they overwhelmed the visitors 8-2 at the Keith Bigden Memorial Ground.

They have therefore netted 13 times in their last two games, having lost their opener comprehensively 4-0 to Little Oakley Reserves.

Lawrence Hale found the net four times while Cosmin Rotaru got a brace and James Irvine and Ryan Whiteman completed the rout.

New-boys Stanway Pegasus had a narrow 2-1 win at Stanway School.

Josh Dillon was both hero and villain on a day when he scored both home goals and then picked up two yellow cards.

Harry Windred replied for visitors Little Oakley Reserves.

It looks like troubled times for the once mighty West Bergholt, who succumbed to their third successive defeat.

Having shipped eight goals in their opening two matches, their fragile defence were again in trouble with visiting Dedham Old Boys putting five past the home side.

Bergholt’s scorers were Mark Gaisford, Luke Turner and substitute Jack Kiley.

Elsewhere in the premier division, Barnston have reached the dizzy heights of sixth position following successive wins.

On Saturday they enjoyed a great success, beating Great Bentley 3-1.

Bentley's consolation goal was netted by Keiron Baker.

In division one, Cressing United are leading the way following two 4-1 victories.

On Saturday it was West Bergholt Reserves who were the visitors to The Pavilion and they had no answer to the home side.

Daniel Miller hit two while Daniel Hume and Wesley Assan completed the scoring, with Scott Cannon replying.

Promoted Gosfield United had a very comfortable 6-1 at home to Alresford Colne Rangers Reserves with Jake Gilder getting two and one each for Dean Gilder, Andrew Turner, Steven Hill and Edward Foy.

Newcomers to division one, Sudbury Sports were held at home by Bures United. The visitors had won their previous match 7-1 but, on this occasion, did well to gain a point at Sudbury, who will likely contest for one of the promotion places in April.

Joshua Hughes and Shane Temple were on the scoresheet for Craig Power’s side and Addy Roy and Tom Wingfield responded for the visitors.

Tiptree Jobserve opened their season account with a crushing 7-0 defeat of Little Oakley A.

It was 2-0 at the break but the home side piled on the agony with a second-half blitz.

Tommy Gregory struck a hat-trick and Ben Williamson, from the bench, got a brace, with Toby Booty and Lee Monk completing the rout.

Results: Premier division: Alresford Colne Rangers 3 Tiptree Engaine 0, Barnston AFC 3 Great Bentley 1, Flitch United 0 Earls Colne 3, Hatfield Peverel 8 Brantham Athletic Res 2, Stanway Pegasus 2 Little Oakley Res 1, West Bergholt 3 Dedham Old Boys 5, White Notley 3 Tiptree Heath 1.

First division: Cressing United 4 West Bergholt Res 1, FC Clacton Res 3 Colne Athletic 2, Gosfield United 3 Alresford Colne Rangers Res 0, Sudbury Sports 2 Bures United 2, Tiptree Jobserve 7 Little Oakley A 0, Wormingford Wanderers 1 Stanway Pegasus Res 2.

Second division: Brantham Athletic A 2 Cavendish 3, Dedham Old Boys Res 0 Hatfield Peverel Res 6, Gas Recreation Res 2 Tiptree Jobserve Res 3, Great Bentley Res 1 Tavern 4, Shrub End United 3 Harwich Rangers 1, Tiptree Engaine Res 1 Hedinghams United 3.

Third division: Hedinghams United Res 2 Oyster 4, Kelvedon Social 0 Flitch United Res 2, Lawford Lads Res 8 Harwich & Parkeston Res 4, St Osyth 5 Cavendish Res 2, Tiptree Heath Res 2 Stanway Athletic 4.