PEWSEY Vale manager Alistair Tuttle says he was delighted to claim the club’s first Hellenic League victory as Headington Amateurs were dismissed 3-0 at the weekend.

James Blake settled the nerves with a goal in the seventh minute, before Tom Ritchie doubled their advantage just over 10 minutes later.

With a two-goal lead at the interval, substitute Harrison Lowe popped up with the all-important third to seal an opening-day success.

After finishing bottom of the pile in the Sydenhams Football League Division One last term, in which they conceded an average of almost four goals a game, Tuttle admits it was good to see his troops record a victory.

“It was a great weekend for the club, because after the season the club had last year it was absolutely amazing,” said Tuttle.

“All the effort has gone in over the closed season and realistically, with the squad we have managed to put together, we were hoping to start with a win.

“Headington finished quite high up in their league last year, but it became apparent that they had lost a few players over the summer.

“It was still a hard-fought game but we have concentrated very much on fitness in pre-season and that showed in the second half.”

Saturday sees Tuttle take to the sidelines at home for the first time this season, and he hopes to see a bumper crowd to cheer on his side.

“The morale after the weekend is really high at the moment and it is important we build on that,” he added.

“It’s our first home game of the season so I am looking forward to a good crowd up there and hopefully we can maintain the good start.

“Even at our pre-season friendlies this year we have seen an increase in the amount of people coming out to watch again.

“It always happens at the start of the season but hopefully we will be able to get good crowds for the season.”