BURNLEY Belvedere may have stepped up to the Lancashire Amateur League but it appears to be business as usual after winning their opening two games of the season.

Belvedere, champions of the East Lancashire League for the last two years and also reached the LFA Amateur Cup final last term, went in search of a new challenge - and it appears to be a challenge they are rising to.

Belvedere kicked off a new chapter in the club’s history with a narrow 1-0 win over East Lancs rivals Old Blackburnians at Holden Road.

After a goalless first half, it was experienced player/manager Kieron Carroll who broke the deadlock after the break with a goal that proved to be the winner.

Belvedere then followed up with an impressive 2-1 win at Failsworth Dynamos who finished in fifth place in the Premier Division last season.

An own goal and a Danny Green strike sealed another three points.

Belvedere are back in action tonight when they host Little Lever Sports Club (6.30pm).

Old Blacks recovered from the derby defeat with an impressive 5-0 win over Blackrod Town on Saturday.

But Rossendale FC, who finished in third place last season, have lost their opening two games - losing 7-4 to Failsworth Dynamos before going down 2-0 at Whitworth Valley.

There was another East Lancs derby in Division One where Accrington Amateurs came out on top against AFC Darwen JFC Reserves, winning 4-2.

Rossendale side, Valley United, are top of the table with two wins out of two - an opening day 4-1 win at Rochdale St Clements followed by a 3-0 win against Wardle.

Valley travel to Radcliffe Town, who have also won their first two games, tonight with Accrington Amateurs hosting Rochdale St Clements.

In Division Two, Old Blacks Reserves lost 6-2 at Tottington on Saturday while Todmorden Borough lost 3-1 at home to Little Lever Reserves.