A goal in each half from Mickleover FC's Marcus Barnes ensured that the impressive-looking visitors inflicted St Ives' first opening-day defeat in more than 10 years.

Mickleover ended last season by missing out on the play-off places by a single point and looked determined to make amend during the first Southern League Premier Division Central game of the 2023/24 campaign.

After a few chances for both sides, the opening goal for the visitors came out of nothing in the 38th minute when Barnes' low cross took a deflection which deceived Ives Oxford United loanee keeper Eddie Brearey and crept in at the far post.

Ives started the second half well and went in search of an equaliser, coming close when Tyrone Baker's 20-yard effort was pushed away by Micklover's goalkeeper Oliver Bosworth.

Play quickly swung straight to the other end, where the pace of Mickloever's attack undid the Ives backline on the counter with an unmarked Barnes side-footing a low cross home and doubling his tally for the day. 

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The hosts continued to battle but could not find a way through Mickleover's resolute backline, who held on well to keep the score at 2-0 and take the three points back to Derbyshire.

Manager Ricky Marheineke has a clear week to get his charges firing again ahead of Saturday's (August 12) trip to Nuneaton, followed by a Monday (August 14) evening visit for league newcomers AFC Sudbury.