The anticipation was there before kick-off, fans streamed into The Skye Direct Stadium, the floodlights turned on and fans welcomed the returning George Doyle.

By the time the game started 509 supporters had made their way into the ground, setting the stage for a stellar Golcar showing.

And they wouldn't have to wait long for it to begin...

In the 7th minute, a free-kick was wonderfully curled into the area by Ryan Wadsworth for last season's Players' and Manager's Player Of The Year Alfie Wilkinson to power onto, scoring with his head at the near post in nearly identical fashion to his goal against Rossington Main on Tuesday night.

Securing the dream start for a raucous home crowd and Skarz and his players who need to start getting points on the board.

This goal only powered The Village on, dominating the ball and winning nearly every duel we were involved in.

Waddy's delivery was pinpoint all game and he swung another delicious ball in not long after, this time from a corner, but Jackson Durham's close-range effort was well over the bar before Wilko looked for a second coming up to the half hour mark, spinning in the area but firing at Horbury keeper Paul Hagreen.

A beautifully crafted second before half-time scored by Jerome Bedeau, would put The Weavers in an exceptional position, as he received Wilko's pass on his head before driving past his man and dinking the ball, off balance, just over Hagreen to bag his first of the season.

Unfortunately the visitors landed a sickener before the break as James Travis nodded a corner past Harry Stead.

Bringing an end to a frantic first half, the emotion of which seemed to get the better of Hagreen who received a sin-bin from the referee as the players went back into the changing rooms.

This meant Horbury captain Joe Angell would have to step-in between the sticks as his team were down to ten.

Thankfully for him he wouldn't get the chance to show his unfamiliarity in the position as the frantic start to the first half was juxtaposed by a reluctant, sluggish second half start from both sides.

It was as soon as Hagreen stepped back into the Horbury goal that we had our first effort when he dropped a floated cross but heroic defending stopped Masai Arbouin from stroking home.

Arbouin was again involved when he spun Joel Fiern on the halfway line who brought down our number ten for the night and received a second yellow meaning Horbury were now permanently down to ten for the last twenty minutes.

It was a nervous last twenty, especially with the thoughts of what happened on Tuesday night still fresh and probably visible in the back of the mind, but a terrific defensive display and some poor Horbury finishing meant we took all three points for the first time this season.

No surprise that it came in front of that famous Golcar crowd who sang and powered the lads on for the whole ninety but especially the second half.

So a first win this season to take us out of the drop zone and hopefully a turning point for us to go and pick up many more with back-to-back terrific performances giving us a good platform.

You can see The Village back in action at The Skye Direct Stadium on Tuesday the 16th against Knaresborough Town after two away games against Eccleshill United and Frickley Athletic.

We look forward to seeing you there, Up The Village!

GOLCAR UNITED: Stead, Reid, Morrissey, Wadsworth, Lawrence, Durham, Bedeau, Naidole (C), Wilkinson, Arbouin, Kilbourn.
SUBS: Hunt, Doyle (54), Leonard (80'), Joof (88'), Dunkley