Old Merchant Taylors' began their preparations for the new season with a 4-1 victory over rivals West Hampstead Thirds

The first half saw little in the way of chances and ended goalless, before a more open second period ensued, leading to the game’s opening goal.

From a well-worked penalty corner, Oli Wilkins struck a low effort into the bottom left-hand corner to open the scoring.

West Hampstead responded almost immediately though, pulling level from a short corner.

Another short corner produced a second for OMTs, with Wilkins crashing home via the outstretched foot of the West Hampstead keeper.

Further goals in the final 15 minutes rounded off an encouraging result for OMTs.

Newly-promoted Old Merchant Taylor Duchesses are top of the league following a 7-0 trouncing of Old Uxonians.

The scores remained level until the 20th minute, when Nina Haydon-Guppy slotted in the opener. A second followed soon after when Michelle Coupar fired home, before Haydon-Guppy got her second and the Duchesses’ third.

In the second half, Coupar scored her second to further extend the Duchesses’ lead. A fifth looked to have followed when player-coach Dawn Whitmore hit the back of the net, only to see her effort ruled out as her shot had been struck from outside the D without touching another player.

Whitmore did get her name on the scoresheet a few minutes later though, and two further efforts from Coupar rounded off a dominant display from the Duchesses.