North Notts warm up with six of the best

Notts exploded into action in the first minute when Matt Kanalas strolled through the South midfield and slipped the ball to forward Allen Butler, who slotted home.

Notts then continued to dominate the midfield and were rewarded on six minutes when Alex Greer slotted home with a powerful drag flick.

Allen Butler made the score 3-0 on the half hour mark in a frantic five minutes which saw South pull a goal back a minute later only to have the scoreline again increased to a three-goal deficit when debutant Charlie Shaw finished with a sublime deft defection.

With Notts going in 4-1 up at the break manager Faulkner was happy for the second half to be used as fitness and for Notts to further sharpen up their basics.

Although Notts did continue to dominate, it wasn’t until the last 10 minutes that they made inroads onto the scoresheet, Allen Butler completing his hat-trick and Alex Greer grabbing a second goal.

Faulkner said: It’s pleasing to start well, but we aren’t going to get carried away at this early stage, pleasing factors today were that new boys Charlie Shaw and Simon Atkin settled in remarkably well and looked that they can push for further chances in the squad.

“Alex Greer seems to be returning to form and the mercurial Allen Butler will always score goals and worry sides.

“Also we have two very good players to bring into the squad in William Butler, who today celebrated winning the Notts Premier Cricket League with Cuckney CC, and Josh Singleton, who is travelling abroad.”