Violet Kickers and Norwood Strikers, both relegated from the Senior League last season, scored their first wins, in the St James Football Association/Sandals International Division One on Thursday, snapping long, winless runs dating back to last season.

Violet Kickers, two-time Premier League champions in the mid-1990s, outscored Paradise FC 3-2 at the UDC field in a Zone One game, while Norwood Strikers edged Copperwood 1-0 at Bickersteth in a Zone Two game.

Violet Kickers improved to four points after the win and matched their points output from last season when they ended the 2015-16 campaign with a five-game losing skid. Their only win last year was against Norwood in a cross-zone game.

On Thursday, they gave up an early lead and came back from a 1-2 deficit at half-time with two second-half goals to win the game. The contest got off to a fast start with three goals in the first 11 minutes.

Ricardo Harriot gave Violet Kickers the lead in the fourth minute, but Chevaughn Duncan equalised in the seventh minute and Tyrone McLairey gave them the lead in the 11th minute.

Andrew Walker, however brought Violet Kickers back level in the 55th minute before Nicoy Comrie scored the winner in the 77th minute.

At Bickersteth, Fernando Hayles scored the only goal of the game in the eighth minute as Norwood Strikers, who won just one game last season, snapped a two-game losing streak to start this season.

—Paul Reid