Oakham United have started their new Peterborough and District Football League season

Oakham United have made an encouraging start to the season despite two defeats in their first matches of the Peterborough League season.

The Rutland side went down to a 1-0 away reversal from a tough trip to Leverington in their Premier Division opener on Saturday.

They then lost 3-1 at Uppingham Town on Tuesday night in a Rutland derby but, with a young squad at their disposal this term, club stalwart Stewart Lamble feels there are plenty of reasons for optimism after their opening displays.

He said: "I think we have done really well.

"We played well at Leverington on Saturday. I would say that we dominated the game and played the better football but we were just lacking that final ball in the final third.

"It was a game that we didn't deserve to lose. We didn't create enough clear-cut chances to have won it but we took the game to them which was encouraging considering some of the players are stepping up two levels."

It was a stunning strike from Aaron Hurrell that settled the contest as he smashed home a cracking effort from 40 yards after Oakham goalkeeper John Swales had initially punched clear a free-kick.

Oakham then fell behind on Tuesday night to a header from Uppingham's Martin Turiccki but levelled when Ben Weston arrowed home a fine finish into the top corner of the Town net from 30 yards.

Josh Sennett put Uppingham back in front when he cut inside and curled home his shot into the bottom corner of the Oakham net.

Sam Blackwell then sealed the win for Uppingham when he reacted first to force the ball home after Oakham had initially defended a free-kick.

Lambie added: "We were just lacking that bit of experience for that sort of game.

"We probably tried to play too much football in a derby game which was played at 100mph.

"You don't get time to play in those sorts of games and they took their chances in front of goal but we competed well for a young side in a derby game.

"There have been plenty of positives to take from the first two games."

Youngster Hayden Theodore - who has come through the youth ranks at Stamford AFC - had an outstanding debut for Oakham in their midweek match.

Uppingham had shared the spoils in a 3-3 draw with FC Peterborough on Saturday with Sennett scoring twice and Ollie Lewin also on target.

Wittering Premiair lost 3-2 at home to Warboys Town on Saturday with Grant Tippett and Douglas Zimbango scoring their goals.

They then bounced back with a 3-0 away win at newly-promoted Deeping United on Tuesday night with Zimbango bagging a brace and Ben Roberts also on target.