DERWENT first XI got their new season in the East Midlands Premier League underway with a well earned three points at home to a young and energetic Northampton Lions team.

It was the visitors who started the stronger, though, with some useful attacking play down the left hand flank that caused the Derwent defence some problems.

But eventually, Derwent, depleted by injuries and work commitments started to find their game and moved the ball around well, getting its reward after 15 minutes when James Stedman worked his way into the area and fired a stinging shot into the bottom right hand corner, leaving the Lions keeper with no chance.

Ash Wheldon could have doubled Derwent's lead but his deflected shot just went wide of the post and it was soon after that that Northampton equalised.

Captain Adam Orduna just let the ball slip under his stick in front of a Northampton striker who calmly made it 1-1.

But Derwent were not down for long and following good work down the right from Matt Bacon and James Stedman it was James Bolus who made it 2-1 with a shot which just bobbled into the left hand corner of the goal with the visiting keeper stretching.

The second half saw Northampton pile on the pressure, but Derwent stood strong at Fortress Wirksworth and some great defending from Steve Langrick and Adam Orduna kept Derwent in the lead.

Keeper Jamie Carlin also pulling off some fine saves in the Derwent goal, while at the other end Stedman and Wheldon would have extended their lead but for some equally good stops from the Northampton keeper.