Brackley lining up for the first time since their second-placed finish last term added six new faces to their squad Glenn Walker also making his 400th appearance for the Saints.

It was Brackley who started the stronger with debutante Callum Stead a constant threat throughout the half, and it was Stead who had the best two chances of the half, the first in the seventh minute robbing the Scarborough defender and losing out in a one-on-one with Cracknell in the Seadogs goal.

Stead then went close again in the 35th minute as his shot across goal was cleared off the line as Brackley pushed for the opener.
Scarborough, facing National League North opposition for the first time, certainly showed that they will hold their own in the higher step, and looked strong and with Captain Michael Coulson a constant threat in midfield and Daniel Bramall on the right keeping the Brackley defence on their toes constantly throughout the first forty-five minutes.

Scarborough started the second half the stronger with Coulson being denied by the feet of Danny Lewis a minute into the second half.

The Saints then took the lead in the 48th minute as Wes York went down the left before squaring the ball for Stead who with the ‘keeper bearing down on him lifted the ball into the roof of the net, his first for the club.

With Scarborough trying to recover from the goal Brackley hit them with a sucker punch. From a corner, the ball was recycled by Gaz Dean into the path of another player on his debut, George Carline. With a flick of his right boot, he found the bottom corner to double the lead.

Scarborough pressed and had a couple of long shots and two headers that didn’t threaten Danny Lewis in the Saints goal, before hitting the corner of the post and bar in the 92nd minute, but in the end, Brackley comfortably managed the game and start the season with another clean sheet, something that was the cornerstone of their game last season.

Scarborough manager Jonathan Greening was please with his side's performance whilst being disappointed with the result “ For 45-50 minutes we matched a good, well-organised side and at 0-0 had a great chance through Coulson to take the lead. We then make a couple of mistakes and find ourselves 2-0 down without playing badly. There are loads to work on in training this week”.

Brackley boss Kevin Wilkin was in an equally philosophical mood “The most important thing is the 3 points, so mission accomplished. The overall performance shows clearly we have work to do, a few better decisions and team cohesion and I would view the result in a better light”
“Callum and George grabbing their goals shows what great acquisitions they are, it's nice to open the season with a win, especially with tough games coming thick and fast"

TEAMS:
Brackley Town (formation 3-5-2):
Danny Lewis, George Carline, Ciaren Jones, Jordan Richards, Jordan Cullinane-Liburd, Gareth Dean, Glenn Walker, James Armson, Callum Stead, Wes York, Riccardo Calder.

Subs not used: Twariq Yusuf, Fabio Lopes, Reece Massey, Josh Flanagan, Jeff Putz.

Scarborough Athletic (formation 4-4-2):
Joseph Cracknell, Kieran Weledji, Ashley Jackson, Lewis Maloney, Will Thornton, Bailey Gooda, Michael Coulson (C), Ryan Watson, Keiran Glynn, Daniel Bramall, Darren Dom Tear.

Subs not used: James Cadman, Jake Charles, Keiran Burton, Dylan Cogill, Simon Heslop.

Man of the Match: George Carline (Brackley Town)

Attendance: 723

All photos courtesy of Peter Keen.