Although leagues above and below them started their 2019-20 season a week or two earlier, the BetVictor Isthmian League started on Saturday.

VCD Athletic started their campaign on Saturday with a visit to Whitehawk and now start their home games playing against another team from Sussex, Three Bridges.

Last season, the Vickers came very close to reaching the play-offs, missing out by one point,after winning six of their final league games. This time around they will be looking to go one better.

On Saturday they visited relegated Whitehawk and were beaten by the odd goal in five. The hosts went ahead in the sixteenth minute through Kacper Lopata’s header from a corner before David Martin missed a penalty.

Henry Muggeridge made it two from the edge of the area on the half hour mark however veteran Vickers hitman Charlie MacDonald pulled one back two minutes later with a fine solo goal before they were awarded a penalty. Although MacDonald’s spot kick was saved by James Broadbent, it came back out to him and he made no mistake with the rebound.

Both teams created chances in the second half but it was the Hawks who won it when former Dover Athletic and Dartford striker Duane Ofori-Acheampong stole in at the far post to slot home from close range.

Three Bridges also started with a defeat, one-nil at home to Sevenoaks Town with Dan Parkinson scoring the only goal midway through the second half.

When the two teams met in Crayford last September, the Vickers won by the odd goal in three and they repeated the scoreline in the reverse fixture in January.