The start of the women's football season brought three victories for St Albans City, Harpenden Town and Colney Heath.

Saints recorded a 6-0 win away to Needham Market in the Eastern Region Premier Division.

The Norfolk side had finished one place and four points ahead of Saints last season but they had no answer to the City ladies.

Olivia Syson got a hat-trick while there was a brace for Alicia Povey and one from Hollie Thornton.

Harpenden Town had missed out on promotion on the final day last time out but started this First Division North campaign by coming from behind at home against Thetford Town to win 2-1.

They did that despite missing six regulars including prolific goalscorer Sophie Amanor.

There weren't many chances in the first half but Thetford converted the one big one they did have, Amber May latching onto a poor back pass and beating Sophie Harris.

Harpenden though were much better in the second half.

Erin Shacklock had a shot saved while Rebecca McShane also had an effort blocked on the line before they found an equaliser.

McShane played a beautiful through ball which split the Thetford defence and allowed Jessica Curtis to curl the ball past the advancing keeper.

A McShane corner almost brought a second but the effort from Curtis cleared the crossbar.

It wasn't all Harpenden, Harris needed to pull off two good saves, but it was Harpenden who got the winner from another McShane corner.

The ball was spilled by the keeper and Iva Hrisimova was on hand to poke home from two yards.

And Colney Heath made it a hat-trick of victories in the First Division South, beating Stanway Pegasus 4-3.

The Magpies were promoted last season and Sheree Oliver, Amy Phillips, Melissa Gordino and an own goal made it a winning start at the higher level.