NELSON got off to a great start in the First North Western Trains League Second Division with a well-earned win at Victoria Park.

Although visitors Oldham Town battled hard throughout the game, they were frequently exposed by the strength of the Blues attack.

Mark Robinson, back after a spell with Great Harwood Town, supplied the cross for the first goal after 22 minutes and Nigel Coates finished with a looping header which the goalkeeper and a defender between them failed to keep out of the net.

But, surprisingly, that was all Nelson had to show for the efforts at half time, and they had to wait until the 67th minute before Robinson bagged the second when he outpaced the Oldham defence before chipping the keeper from a narrow angle.

Five minutes later it was 3-0 as Shaun Lister went clear on the right wing and his pinpoint cross was met by a bullet header from Coates at the far post which gave the keeper no chance.

New signing Les Thompson from Accrington Stanley slotted in well at full back, and a good all-round team performance, suggests there may be a successful season ahead for John Bailey's team.

Nelson's next game is on Saturday, away to Daisy Hill, kick off 3pm.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.