BILLY Garvey’s decisive double ensured Redditch Borough hit the ground running in Midland League Division Two.

Garvey bagged the brace at either end of Borough’s win 3-1 at Pelsall Villa, a team that plied its trade in Division One last season, in Saturday’s curtain raiser played at Walsall Wood.

Mat Fearon doubled the advantage before half-time and although Villa got one back in the second half, feisty frontrunner Garvey thwarted any hope of a fightback.

“It is great to be back and of course, great to start from where we left off last season,” said manager Julian Workman.

“On and off the pitch, we have had a lot of building to do with settling in at Mettis and making sure we found the right replacements for some top players.

“A lot was made of that but it should not be forgotten that many very good players stayed put and throughout pre-season and this first game, we have showed that.

“There will be bigger mountains to climb as we go along, there’s no doubt about that, but this represents a very strong start and most importantly, adds to the feel-good factor around the whole club at the moment.”

Workman's charges were set to contest a derby at Fairfield Villa last night (Tuesday) before Saturday's historic first home game at the Mettis Sports & Social Club against Moors Academy (3pm).

Meanwhile, three of Borough’s junior teams are actively recruiting players for the new campaign.

The under-14 boys managed by Dean Roach, the under-14 girls coached by Sarah Finch and the under-7s ran by Richard Stock are open to newcomers.

Contact Roach on 07503 975643, Finch via email: rbfc.sf@gmail.com and Stock on 07875 638042.