Elland Road, Leeds. Att: 32,047.
Leeds Lightning got their campaign off to a glorious start with a 3-0 over the Merseyside Mighty Rats at Elland Road.
The Lightning's new American defender Jimmy-Jack Perry only took five minutes to mark his debut with a goal, heading in Diego van den Struijk's free-kick.
Italian whiz-kid Dani Rivera, who has been linked with a move away from West Yorkshire, scored an impressive goal from just outside the 18-yard box to put Leeds 2-0 up after 25 minutes.
And van den Struijk was a nuisance for the Merseyside defence, and one of his crosses led to Rats right-back Colin Price putting it into his own net.
It was miserable afternoon for the Rats, only creating one real chance when Zak McCracken missed a sitter from five yards out.
Goals
Lightning: Perry 5', Rivera 25', Price 76' (o.g.).
Mighty Rats: none.
