Southern Counties East Premier Division round-up as Corinthian, Snodland Town, Tunbridge Wells, Faversham Town and Whitstable Town get off to winning starts; Glebe win Charity Shield

There was a surprise opening-day Southern Counties East Premier Division defeat for one of the promotion favourites on Saturday.

Deal, third last season, went down 3-1 at Fisher in front of 211 supporters, despite striker Aaron Millbank’s first-half effort.

Ambitious outfit Faversham started their league campaign with a 3-0 away triumph over fellow relegated side VCD Athletic.

Striker Gary Lockyer and captain Connor Essam helped them establish a two-goal advantage by half-time and, despite the hosts getting a penalty, VCD failed to convert it and the Lilywhites got the only goal after the restart.

Player-boss Sammy Moore set up loanee Sheppey forward Jefferson Aibangbee late on.

The other team relegated from Isthmian South East to Step 5 this term, Corinthian, earned a 5-1 home win over Kennington in front of a 124-strong crowd.

Two-goal Amin Gorgol, Jack Billings, Sam Bewick and Harry Lashley did the damage, an early goal by Fin Dent proving in vain.

Player-of-the-match Josh Oliver was at the double as striker Steadman Callender got off to a winning start with Whitstable against former club Erith Town.

Oliver converted a first-half penalty in front of a crowd of 417 at The Belmont after Tyler Anderson was brought down, and the midfielder doubled his tally at the death.

Lydd, under new joint-managers James Rogers and Tom Wynter, were beaten 3-0 at home by Holmesdale.

But fellow newly-promoted side Snodland Town won 2-0 at home against Stansfeld in front of a 239-strong crowd.

Ben Davisson broke the deadlock from the penalty spot and their second came shortly after the half-hour mark courtesy of an own goal.

Punjab United and Bearsted shared four goals in front of 154 fans.

Alfie Bloomfield, and Chris Edwards with a