Tantertons first season in the premier division got off to a faultering start, after Walton Athletic ran out 6-3 winners at Village Green Lane on Sunday morning.

New Tanny boss Benn Stillwell was left with a bit of a selection headache in his first competitive game in charge. Jamie Bryson was unable to shake off a foot injury, while Matt Billington, Garry Longshaw, Alan Kelly, Mark Coggins and Dave Woodruff were all away on holiday. Jamie Quan Soon was also unavailable. Stilwell opted for a makeshift back four, which included himself and Ryan Cairns at centre half, Jayme Chippendale at Left Back, with Gavin Keighley at left back. A midfield central pairing of Marvin Topping and George Smith, while Ezphia Rennock and Ricky Smith would provide the width on the flanks. New signing Jeff Dalmeida started up front alongside Mututu Chilufya. On the bench was Mick Parry, Warren Beattie and Alan Cookson.

Walton kicked off and it took both sides a good 10 mins to settle. Walton took the lead on 12 minutes when the ball fell to the feet of Anthony Ashton, the striker launched a lovely chip which sailed over the head of Tanny keeper Ellison. 1-0 to the visitors. Walton then got a stroke of luck to increase the lead to 2-0. Ellison raced out to clear the ball, which fell to the feet of John Skinner on the half way line, who unleashed what looked like a wayward effort, until it stuck the outstretched foot of Benn Stilwell, which sent the ball looping over a stranded Ellisons head to give the visitors a 2 goal lead. Tanny then stepped their game up, Walton keeper Brett Shuttleworth saving spectacularly to his right, to deny Mututu Chilufya from a direct free kick. Tanny then clawed one back, when strike partnership Jeff Dalmeida and Mututu Chilufya linked up for the first time. Dalmeida holding the ball up, before laying the ball off to Chilufya who thundered the ball home, 1-2. It wasn't long before Walton restored their 2 goal cushion. A cross from the right was bundled home by Daniel Schuyler. There were strong appeals from the Tanny defence for a foul on keeper Ellison in the build up, but the appeals were waved away by officials and the goal stood, 1-3. Tanny then had a goal disallowed for offside, Mututu Chilufya was adjudged to be beyond the last man when he slotted home what looked a legitimate goal. After discussions between the referee and his linesman, the goal was scrubbed off, still 1-3. Chilufya then went close again before half time, his shot rattled the post before being cleared, which proved to be the last action of the half. Tanny would have a lot of work to do if they were to comeback from this.

Tanny boss Benn Stilwell brought Warren Beattie on at half time for Jayme Chippendale, and switched formations to 3-5-2 in the hope of improvement. But the visitors further extended their lead, once again with a touch of fortune. Another deflected pass fell to the feet of Anthony Ashton, who made no mistake to claim his second goal of the game, 1-4. Tanny were then gifted a route back in to the game, when the referee awarded a penalty in the box for a foul, but Mututu Chilufya dragged the penalty wide of the keepers right post. Tanny then gifted the visitors a 5th goal. A long ball over the top created confusion in the Tanny defence, Stillwell left the ball for keeper Ellison to claim, but the Tanny stopper was deep in his goalmouth, while Anthony Ashton raced through and latch on to the ball to square for Mark Jemmet to easily side foot home, 1-5. Tanny were unlucky once again when a rasping free kick from Ezzy Rennock rattled the crossbar, it was going to be one of them days. The visitors then made it 6, when Rob Hand controlled the ball on his left knee, to send a looping half volley over a helpless Ellison, a superb strike to make it 1-6. That was pretty much game set and match as the Tanny lads heads dropped. Sub Mick Parry got his name on the score sheet with a neat finish, while Mutu Chilufya rounded 2 Walton defenders to grab his second of the game. That was the last of the action, as Walton ran out 6-3 winners.

It was a good competitive game, played in good spirit by both teams. Walton pressed the ball well and were good value for their 3 points. However I'm sure Tanny boss Benn Stilwell will be expecting more from his boys next time out.

Tannys next game is this Thursday at Preston Sports Arena, where we travel to take on rivals Ingol Rangers, kick off is 6:45pm. It is sure to be a fiercely contested match up, as both teams go in search of their first victory of the season.