Peter Grimes reports on VICS' opening game of the season:

CAMBRIDGE 0 v  1 VICS  

A great start to the season for Vics and a thoroughly deserved 3 points.

The wind played a major part in the game being strong and blustery making control and judgement difficult and favouring Cambridge in the first half.

The game started well with open attacking play from both sides and 2 defences struggling to cope, the game looked full of goals and Vics went close after only 2 minutes when Williams was inches wide off a lovely Byrne cross. A hesitant Vics defence then eventually cleared a Cambridge corner and on 11 minutes an even better Byrne cross found Allan and his shot hit the underside of the bar and Williams headed the rebound wide.

The Cambridge reply was immediate and a Brady cross from the right saw Pitt unmarked 8 yards out but he volleyed over. Allan then shot inches over the bar and Carr saw his cross palmed out from under the angle by Crighton as play went from end to end.

There were strong appeals for a penalty from Cambridge when Charnock appeared to pull down a forward in the box and from the break Byrne shot over. After this frenetic first 20 minutes the game settled more but still promised goals that in the end didn't materialise. Pitt had 3 good shooting opportunities for Cambridge but his finishing was woeful and Vics survived. Battersby got a yellow for a seemingly minor foul and at half time Vics could feel pleased with themselves. Both defences looked a little slow and vulnerable but the attacking honours were clearly Vics' as the fast skilful passing and close control of Williams, Townson and Byrne looked a threat every time we went forward.

Vics reward came early, in the 47th minute. A lovely ball out wide to the right found Byrne in space and he used it well before sending in a fast low cross that Townson reached first and turned in at the near post. Cambridge then had their best spell. We were lucky on 49 minutes when Charnock, chesting the ball down for Senior, appeared to use his arm and even stronger claims for a penalty came from the home team.

Wolleaston produced a good diving save from Senior that Charnock finished clearing, Simpson headed a Brady cross over with senior struggling and Pitt shot into the side netting. With 25 minutes left, though, Cambridge faded and whilst one is never comfortable with a one-goal lead it always looked as if another goal would go to Vics. It nearly did on 75 minutes when Allan chased a 'lost' ball to the line, kept it in and pulled it back for Williams who headed, but with little power, at the near post and Crighton half saved it then turned and grabbed it on the line.

We should have sealed it with 5 minutes left  when a good passing move put Williams clear against Crighton but he held on too long and Crighton saved at his feet. It didn't matter in the end and Vics started their travels with a well-deserved win.

My man of the match - Keiron Charnock