Laura Vokes scored a consolation goal as Winchester City Flyers fell to a 3-1 defeat at home to AFC Portchester in the Southern Region Premier Division.

The visitors scored three inside half an hour to storm to a 3-0 lead.

Vokes struck back but it wasn’t enough for the Flyers to come away with anything on the first day of the season.

A glorious day awaited the two sides who finished in the top three of the division last season, and Emma Pearmine was looking for a first win on the opening day since her tenure began.

The manager handed starting debuts to Cesca Thornton and Chloe Tucker while Izzy Crooks, Freya Twigg and Abbie Green were on the bench.

Portchester flew out of the traps, and it was the young Layla Morgan who got the first shot before Sarah Butterworth saw Ellie Parker push an effort round the post.

The experienced forward Becki Bath was finding plenty of space to shoot from range.

With just over eight minutes played, Butterworth was played into acres of space to smash home the opener.

Vokes flew into action straight after to deny Butterworth the chance for a quick second.

After 14 minutes the visitors had their second.

Winchester failed to clear their lines and Molly Barron-Clark nodded the ball into the path of Fuller to neatly slot home.

A dangerous M Barron-Clark freekick almost found the back of the net but Winchester survive the threat.

Bath looked destined to add to the scoreline as she gambled on a long ball that bounced over the defence; however, Vokes recovered well to put in a strong block and denied the shot.

Da Silva saw an effort deflected wide from just yards out after a brilliant Wernham run and cross before the winger was denied minutes later by the Portchester keeper.

With less than half an hour played, Portchester added a third as summer signing M Barron-Clark sent a looping effort over Parker and into the net.

A minute later and Vokes reduced the deficit with a long-range effort just beating Burchett.

Portchester continued to dominate much of the ball and constantly tried to use their pace to get in behind.

The visitors continued in the same vein after the break as Winchester struggled to get on the ball and get out of their own half.

Portchester captain, Gemma Hillier, had a shot from range deflected behind for a corner.

Attacking chances were few and far between for the Flyers.

Both teams created some half chances as the clock ticked down, and eventually the final whistle came, and Portchester took home the first three points of the season.

Full-time: Flyers 1 AFC Portchester 3

Starting XI: Ellie Parker, Sharna Capel-Watson, Sian Wylie, Chloe Tucker, Laura Vokes, Charlie Snelling, Emma Whitlock (C), Cesca Thornton, Emily Wernham, Laura da Silva, Chelsie Hay.

Bench: Charlotte Warhurst, Freya Twigg, Annie Northwood, Izzy Crooks, Abbie Green.