Hackney Downs are looking up after opening win in East London Sunday League

Hackney Downs made a winning start to the new East London Sunday League season in one of only two matches to take place during the opening weekend of the campaign.

Downs overcame borough rivals Homerton Rangers 2-0 in the lone Premier Division clash as the league celebrated the launch of its 80th anniversary year in low-key fashion.

In the weekend's other contest, Woodgrange Rangers defeated The 45s 2-0 in Division Two.

A fuller programme will take place this Sunday, with four matches due to take place on South Marsh, but the league does not begin in earnest until the end of the month, when all four divisions return to action.

Premier Division runners-up Inter Lucia are one of the team's scheduled to play this weekend.

The Hackney outfit are hoping to go one better than last year's second-place finish and will begin their title challenge at home to Homerton Rangers, who have joined from the Hackney & Leyton League.

AC Lucia, who were established as an off-shoot of runners-up Inter this summer, will also make their competitive debut on Sunday in a clash with last year's Division One champions East Moore, from Stepney.

In Division One, newcomers Railway Tavern meet Queensbridge Rangers, who spent last season in the division below, while EFY's B side face another new team, The 45s, in the lone Division Two fixture.

Premier Division champions Meath United warmed up for their return to competitive action on September 20 with an entertaining 3-3 draw against Railway Tavern at Victoria Park on Sunday.

Meath took an early lead when Dean Goggin Jr fired home from the edge of the box after eight minutes, but Tavern levelled before half-time following a defensive mix-up.

Luke Mason restored Meath's lead after the break and Matt Wheller slotted home a third midway through the second half.

But Tavern halved the deficit with 15 minutes remaining and were rewarded for their fighting spirit with a surprise equaliser five minutes from time.