HARROGATE Town enjoyed a wonderful debut in the premier division of the UniBond League as they hammered former Conference outfit Altrincham 4-0 away from home.

Robbie Whellans netted a brace for John Reed's men while Dave Donaldson and Dave Merris got the others in the romp at Moss Road.

The victory was even achieved without the boss in attendance, as manager Reed was away on holiday, leaving player-coach Neil Aspin, the former Leeds United defender, in charge. Reed picks up the reins again this week, starting with the home match against Stalybridge tomorrow.

Town's neighbours, Harrogate Railway, also enjoyed victory as they beat Arnold Town 2-0 in the first match of the Northern Counties East League premier division season.

It was the first time for several years that Rail had taken all three points on the opening day.

However, they left it late to make their mark and were also thankful for a penalty miss by Arnold at a crucial stage.

Railway played well enough but lacked a cutting edge up front before manager Paul Marshall replaced strikers Steve Davey and Kevin Smith with Andy Sunley and Ian Hart with 20 minutes left.

Within minutes of the change, 17-year-old Sunley opened the scoring and with five minutes left, Hart made it 2-0, after being set up by Sunley, who also missed another good chance.

However, that second goal came straight after former Conference player Tony Simpson had missed from the spot for Arnold, firing over the bar.

Marshall said: "The performance was not the best but the result was the main thing."

Selby Town went down 2-0 at Ossett Albion, while Pickering Town had to settle for a point in their match against Eccleshill United.

Adam West had put the Pikes ahead in the first half but Mark Senior levelled on 70 minutes.

Goole, who host Railway tomorrow (7.45pm), enjoyed a 4-0 win at Brodsworth, Curtis Barnard giving them the lead just before the interval while late goals by Steve Price and Steve Ward made the victory more comfortable.

Tadcaster Albion got off to a losing start in NCEL division one as they crashed 3-1 at home to Maltby Main.

Promoted Tadcaster Magnet Sports were involved in a seven-goal encounter away to Beeston but came away with nothing as they lost 4-3 in their first game in the West Yorkshire League premier division.

Knaresborough Town were beaten 4-0 at Pontefract Sports.

Updated: 11:25 Monday, August 19, 2002