STOW celebrated the return to their home ground with a 3-0 win over Langholm Legion on the first day of the new Border Amateur League season.

A double from ex-Gala Fairydean midfielder Grant Gass and a strike from Bruce Runciman gave the Villagers a Division A victory in their first match at Stow Park after a year of drainage works.

Stow secretary Tommy McCall said: “It is great to back at our home ground after a season playing at the Public Park, where Gala Hotspur were great hosts.

“The new pitch is back to full size and is bowling green material. The team played well on it considering we were missing six or seven players, and once we went in front we were in control.” Another title hopeful in a wide open Division A this season is Gordon, who saw off Hawick Waverley 3-1 with goals from Kevin Utterson and brothers, Gavin and Euan Brown.

Gordon boss Craig Livingstone said: “I think with Gala Fairydean Rovers Amateurs pulling out of the league, and Leithen losing manager Gary Hastie and a few players, every team will believe they have a chance of winning the league, including ourselves.” New Jed Legion signing Sean Clarke bagged two goals as his side drew 3-3 with West Barns Star.

Clarke scored 28 goals with Hawick Legion Rovers in Division C last season but showed no signs of the step up to Division A causing him problems following his opening day brace. Nathan Gillie grabbed Legion’s other goal.

In the Border Cup, newly promoted Hawick Legion shocked Chirnside United with a 5-2 win. A Liam Lavery double, and goals from Simon Philbin, Scott Duncan and Callum Hope gave the Teries a comfortable win.

Dillon Rice bagged two goals as Leithen Rovers began life under new manager Chris Wilson with a 3-2 Border Cup win over Greenlaw.

In Division B, Ancrum drew 2-2 with much fancied Tweedmouth Amateurs, while Earlston Rhymers keeper Lee Manderson was sent off as Tweeddale Rovers won 4-1 which included a David Lindsay double.

One side to benefit from Gala Fairydean Rovers Amateurs taking a season out of the league is Gala Hotspur, who defeated Hawick United 3-0 in the Wright Cup thanks to goals from Scott Nightingale, Shaun Hardie and Michael Blackwood, who all played for the Amateurs last season.

Coldstream’s top scorer last season Steven Waugh bagged two goals in a 4-1 win over Eyemouth Amateurs in the other Wright Cup tie.

Peebles Amateurs won 4-2 over St Boswells in Division C, with Finlay Muir scoring two, but Andrew McFarlane’s hat-trick was not enough to win the game for his Hawick Legion Rovers side who drew 3-3 with Melrose.

In the Collie Cup, Biggar United smashed Selkirk Victoria 6-1, and Kelso Thistle edged out Lauder 2-1.