Saturday's set of Blue Square Premier fixtures saw a flurry of goals as the new season sprung into life for several teams who had disappointed in their opening two matches.

Oxford United recovered from consecutive defeats by seeing off Eastbourne Borough in a nine goal thriller at The Kassam Stadium. Despite throwing away 2-0 and 3-2 leads, The U's struck late in the second half to see off their battling opponents 6-3.

James Constable struck his first two goals back in non-league after returning from Shrewsbury, and former Cambridge United trialist Ed Hutchison struck his team's fourth goal.

Eastbourne were matched in defeat by the side that beat them to last season's Blue Square South title, Lewes. After a 3-0 loss against Crawley Town on Tuesday, The Rooks fell to another heavy home loss on Saturday. Salisbury City romped to a 4-1 win to better their success at Forest Green earlier in the week.

Andrew Sandell and Charlie Griffin struck twice each as The Citadels marched to victory, while Lewes are stuck on only one point so far, despite Chamal Fenelon's equaliser.

Lewes' solitary point came against Kidderminster Harriers on the opening day, and it was Mark Yates' side who fell to the other large defeat of Saturday afternoon. Mansfield Town remain unbeaten as they begin life in nonleague, following up a point at Ebbsfleet and a defeat of Histon by seeing off The Harriers 4-2.

Mark Stallard netted twice in the first half alongside Michael Blackwood's strike, before Kidderminster pulled two goals back in the second period before former Grays striker Aaron O'Connor sealed the points in stoppage time.

With twenty goals being scored in those three matches, the remaining seven fixtures of the afternoon produced only eighteen goals between them. Cambridge United reached the summit of the division after winning their opening three matches of the season for the second year in a row. Wayne Hatswell's goal proved decisive in a 2-1 win against Barrow, who dropped their first points of the campaign.

With Cambridge United being the only side with nine points out of nine, Woking became the only team yet to register a point so far after capitulating against Nigel Clough's Burton Albion.

Matt Pattison and Guiseppe Sole looked to have put The Cards in control at The Pirelli Stadium, before The Brewers fought back to win 3-2 and remain unbeaten this season. Marc Goodfellow struck the winner six minutes from time with his second of the match.

Woking remain behind Stevenage Borough, after Graham Westley's side recorded a point at the third time of asking. Michael Malcolm's goal denied Borough a win, as Weymouth left Broadhall Way with a 1-1 draw that leaves them unbeaten.

The result cost The Terras their 100% record, which was the same fate of York City as they also drew 1-1 in their fixture. Despite having beaten Wrexham only 42 hours previously, The Minstermen were back in action against Histon on Saturday afternoon. Daniel McBreen's second half strike earned the hosts a point that leaves them on seven points and ensures Histon will have to wait for their first win of the season.

The match was the first for Steve Fallon's men since the retirement of Craig Pope, who was unsurprisingly not acquitted of his racism charge by the Football Association earlier this week and given a four match ban.

Grays Athletic faced Northwich Victoria in a match between two sides who were still seeking their first victory, and it was the hosts who came out on top 2-1 courtesy of a goal on debut from Sam Sloma. Former Cambridge United loanee Chris Flynn scored a late consolation for The Vics.

Forest Green Rovers recovered from their home loss against Salisbury on Tuesday by earning their first win of the season, seeing off Crawley Town by a solitary Andrew Mangan goal eight minutes from time. The same player had missed a penalty only a minute before, but made amends by netting the winner.

The final match of the afternoon saw Kettering Town draw 1-1 for the third time in three matches. Gareth Seddon's early penalty looked to have earned The Poppies the points, until Altrincham's Mark McGregor fired home seven minutes from time to earn his side a point.

Sunday's match saw Rushden drop their first points of the season in a 1-1 home draw with Wrexham. Shaun Whalley's equaliser for the Welsh side was the first that Garry Hill's side had conceded all season, making them the last side to concede a goal after over 250 minutes of play. Wrexham picked up their first away points of the season.

Torquay host Ebbsfleet in Monday's televised fixture, before Blue Square Premier action returns with a double-header over the Bank Holiday weekend with all sides being in action on Saturday and Monday, as the early stages of the new campaign continues.

Matt Ramsay