Avro and Chadderton opened the new North West Counties League season with victories.

In the Premier Division there was a 3-0 Vestacare Stadium win for Avro against Padiham, Kane Wallwork scoring just after the half hour with a Louis Potts double making sure of the victory in the second half.

After a slow start to proceedings, the first real chance came from a free-kick which was won by home debutant Jake Cottrell. Jack Tuohy whipped in a good ball but Lewis Lacy just couldn’t get his head on the end of it.

The game heated up from there and Avro went in front on 32 minutes.

Wallwork intercepted a sloppy Padiham pass and went for goal with his left foot, the ‘keeper trying to save it with his legs but only able to deflect it straight to the bottom corner.

Padiham sent a header over the bar early in the second half before Avro doubled their advantage with 56 minutes on the watch.

Tuohy made the break down the right and sent the ball into the six-yard box with Potts only needing to get a touch on it to make it 2-0.

Avro were now dominant, Danny Byrnes going past two men before shooting over the bar from a tight angle.

Ryan Pickford then tried to recreate his curling goal in the pre-season friendly against Radcliffe but was thwarted by the visiting goal.

Potts’ second and Avro’s third eventually came 12 minutes from time.

Jack Poxon found himself inside the box down the right-hand side and gave it to Potts who slotted the ball home.

In the First Division North, Chadderton were 1-0 winners at Daisy Hill.

The only goal of the game at New Sirs came 12 minutes from time, Adam Dale Chaddy’s match-winner.

Arron Scholes, the son of former Manchester United star Paul Scholes who was watching on from the sidelines, went close with a free-kick for the visitors in the first half as they looked to make a strong start to the campaign.

At the other end, skipper Jordan Schofield was then on hand to deny Daisy’s Adam Farrell with a fine challenge.

Chadderton finished the opening half strongly, Dale coming close with a header, with play continuing to swing from end to end after the break, Connor Hughes seeing a shot well saved for the hosts.

The decisive goal came on 78 minutes, Dale curling a shot beyond Connor Stone from the edge of the area.

Stone’s afternoon was to get worse when he left the field with a mild concussion late in the piece, midfielder Hensley Mills going in goal as Daisy completed the game with 10 men.

The North West Counties action continues tomorrow night.

In the Premier Divison, Avro head to Northwich Victoria while in the First Division North, Chadderton are on the road at AFC Darwen.