ANCHOR Falcons' season got off to a poor start with a heavy defeat at Diglis Lane against Sporting Worcester, both sides making their debut in the re-organised Worcester League division two.

SPORTING WORCESTER 3, ANCHOR FALCONS 0

The Falcons, sponsored by M J Henney Construction, were in truth not as bad as the scoreline suggests, but individual errors gifted the home side the points.

After an encouraging pre-season build-up, manager Andy Fletcher handed debuts to Steve Edkins and Mike Griffin, whilst the returning Rich Lambert partnered Paul Park in attack.

After a fiercely contested opening Sporting Worcester drew first blood with a disputed goal. As the Falcons defence retreated to cover a through-ball skipper Carl Wilkins appeared to be wrestled to the ground and with him out of the way the centre forward easily rolled the ball into the net. Despite the visitors' protests the goal stood.

This appeared to rock the Falcons who had begun to accumulate a head of steam with the ever-willing Park and Rich Bryan probing the home defence. But they found breaking down the home midfield difficult, especially given that the Anchor seemed to lose their shape all too easily and their play became scrappy.

At the interval, however, Anchor would have fully expected to get back in the game. What they hadn't budgeted for was two calamitous mistakes in the second half.

Despite opening brightly and finally bridging the gap between midfield and attack, the Falcons succumbed again just when they appeared to be taking control.

A punt into the visitors' box appeared to be heading for the hands of keeper Marcus Henney, only for John Goode to head the ball over Henney into his own net.

The final nail was hammered home when a low shot was spilled by Henney and the ball was duly fired home from the edge of the box with the keeper stranded.

Man of the match was debutant Mike Griffin.

This Sunday the Falcons entertain Northwick Vale at Dysons, players meet 9.45am prompt.