REIGNING Bracknell Town & District Sunday League Premier Division champions FC Fernhill began the defence of their title with an emphatic 7-2 victory, writes Richard Ashton.

They are bidding for a remarkable seventh crown in eight seasons – and a third in a row – and look as though they will take some stopping judging from their opening-day display.

Last season's runners-up, Crowthorne Inn, also began with a win, overcoming newly-promoted Loveman United 2-1.

Bracknell Rangers cruised to a 5-1 home win against Panthers FC.

In Division One, a Josh Tighe brack and a goal from substitute George Rance proved insufficient for Winkfield as they lost a seven-goal thriller 4-3 at home to Sandhurst FFC.

Wokingham & Emmbrook TMW hammered Athletico Forest 7-3, Woodley Saints Kites walloped Bracknell Athletic 6-1, and Athletico Ascot edged past Crowthorne FC 2-1.

Bearwood Wanderers crushed Panthers FC Reserves 8-2 in Division Two, while Winnersh Rangers beat Ashridge Park Royals 2-1 and Newbold squeezed past Bracknell Cavaliers 1-0.

In Division Three, a Dan Sullivan double and a second-half Anton Hill strike fired Bracknell Saint-Germain to a 3-2 victory at FC Harmanswater.

Silver Birch won an entertaining clash 6-3 at home to Bracknell Spartan, Crowthorne FC A beat Hope & Anchor 3-0, Winnersh Town thrashed 3M 5-1 and AFC Dukes downed Running Horse 4-1.

Bracknell Royals were the biggest winners of the day, obliterating Bracknell Athletic U21 12-0 in Division Four.

Bracknell Spartan U21 hammered Bracknell Titans 8-3, and Harts of Bracknell smashed Silver Birch A 6-0.

AFC Dukes Reserves were thumped 5-0 at home by FC Showcase, while Bracknell Cavaliers Reserves dispatched Finchampstead Athletic A 8-1.

Neil Blewitt and Jake Tickner were both on the scoresheet for Braybrooke Athletic, but they went down to a 3-2 home defeat to Berks County A in the Dave Scovell Memorial Cup.