Alsager Town bounced back from their opening day defeat to West Didsbury & Chorlton with a fine 2-0 win on the road at Stafford Town.

It was a dominant display from the Bullets, and the hosts could've had no complaints had the win been a heavier one.

The Bullets went at their hosts from the off, forcing a corner inside the first minute. The ball was whipped into the box from the right, falling for debutant Craig Sigley who somehow fired over the bar.

But then it became the Ben Darby and Hunaish Essa show, both Bullets debutants, who quickly became thorns in Stafford's side.

With a bit more composure, Darby could've notched a hat-trick inside the first twenty minutes, firing one chance wide when he should've hit the target, having another hacked off the line, while hitting the bar after being put in by Dabo.

You got the feeling that it might be one of those nights, but the Bullets eventually broke the deadlock after 23 minutes when Essa cut in from the left onto his right foot and curled a great effort beyond the Stafford keeper and into the top left corner. It was a lovely piece of magic from Essa, giving the Bullets a much-deserved lead.

The Bullets kept coming, and on the half-hour, another big chance fell to Ben Darby after Dabo put him clear, but he fired high and wide. Two minutes later, Darby headed straight at the keeper from a Ryan Malone cross.

The hosts came back into the game during the last five minutes of the first half, but they will have been glad to get back into the dressing room at half-time.

Half-time: Stafford Town 0 Alsager Town 1

The hosts came out in the second half looking more purposeful, but the Bullets still looked a threat, and the first chance of the second period again fell to Ben Darby, though his shot lacked power.

Only a minute later, Ryan Malone delivered the ball of the night across the Stafford six-yard line, but frustratingly there was no one there to put the ball away.

Stafford's first real chance of the night came in the 56th minute when Joey Oldham was forced into a smart save down to his left.

But on 65 minutes, the Bullets killed the game off from the penalty spot. Essa again tormented Stafford on the left, and once again cut inside onto his right foot, only to be bundled over by a Stafford defender.

Skipper Jordan Stafford coolly dispatched the spot-kick to make it 2-0.

The hosts huffed and puffed without hurting the Bullets, while the visitors could have extended their lead late on when substitute Jack Berman headed a lovely Essa cross wide, and fellow sub Matthew France blazed over from 12 yards.

All-in-all, an excellent team performance, and a richly deserved three points.

Starting XI: Joey Oldham, James Forrest, Stefan Sorenson, Luke Vayro, Craig Sigley, Jordan Stafford (C), Hunaish Essa, Sam Latham, Mamudo Dabo, Ben Darby, Ryan Malone

Substitutes: Finlay Phillips, Nathan Barry, Jack Berman, Matthew France, Will Aldred

Man of the Match: Hunaish Essa—scored the opening goal, won the penalty, and caused problems all night

Attendance: 112