FOLLOWING the disappointment of relegation at the end of last season Cobham started life in division one with a 1-0 home win over Eversley.

The Hammers have strengthened their squad during the close season and the match saw four debutants, including new captain Mark Thomas playing at the heart of the defence.

A large crowd were treated to an entertaining game.

Mensah led the line well for the Hammers and could easily have opened the scoring early on when he stretched to reach a wonderful cross, but was just a fraction away from opening his account.

However, it was not long before the home side's continuing pressure eventually paid dividends. Eversley gave away too many free-kicks, and it was from one of these that Thomas delivered an inch perfect delivery which Dan Rousell headed back across the goal to Hegarty who gently cushioned his header past Giles in the visitor's goal to put Cobham ahead.

It seemed that Cobham would comfortably walk away with the game, but the match was turned on its head on the half hour mark. An Eversley forward knocked the ball past Thomas, who was last defender, and when the Cobham skipper pulled down the attacker it left the official with no choice but to produce the red card.

The start of the second half saw the unlucky Mensah sacrificed in a tactical decision by manager Ken Reed which saw the centre forward replaced with Leech, a centre half.

With no Cobham outlet upfront the Eversley back four were allowed to carry the ball forward to set up attack after attack.

Yet, the Hammers produced a highly disciplined second half performance and carried out the manager's instructions to the letter. Scott Day earned himself the man of the match award for his tireless running and determined effort.

Late on Cobham introduced Carl Burne's pace on the left wing and with minutes remaining he pushed the ball past the last defender and raced clear on the halfway line. When he was cynically tugged back by his shirt, the home supporters expected the numbers to be levelled up, but were surprised only to see a yellow awarded.

Despite this, the Hammers easily closed out the game to claim a winning start to the season.

Friday night sees Cobham travel to Littlehampton in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup.