English Second Division on Saturday by helping their teams pick up good wins over Blackpool and Northampton.

Goater scored one of the fastest goals on opening day as Manchester City, playing their first ever match in the Second Division, beat Blackpool 3-0 in front of 32,000 home fans. The Bermudian opened the scoring in the third minute. The second half of the game was broadcast on BBC radio.

City, who dropped out of the top two divisions in England last season for the first time in their 111-year history -- despite a 5-2 away win over Stoke in their final game when Goater netted twice -- are seeking to bounce back at the first attempt. Already they are one of the promotion favourites.

Stoke City, too, are tipped to go straight back up and in Brian Little, Lightbourne says they have an outstanding manager.

Little, formerly with Aston Villa, watched the team beat Northampton Town 3-1 away from home. Lightbourne played the first 80 minutes before being replaced.

Stoke took the lead in the first five minutes from the penalty spot. The defender who handled the ball on the line was sent off, leaving Northampton to play the rest of the match with 10 men.

Lightbourne's strike partner Peter Thorne scored the second goal to restore their lead after Northampton equalised from a free kick, and Lightbourne's replacement, 19-year-old Dean Crowe netted the third in the closing minutes.

"I came off in the last 10 minutes but I played quite well,'' said Lightbourne who explained that Stoke had signed four new players, two full backs and two midfielders.

"Obviously I have more to go as far as fitness but it was very hot as it always is on the first game of the season.

"I like Brian Little's style of management. Training has been very, very good. We go in and do our work and finish quite early. We also come in on Sundays. Everything is done very professionally.'' Lightbourne, after the disappointment of last season when he was sold by Coventry City and then relegated with Stoke from the First Division, has set himself a target of 20 goals in the league this season.

`I probably went through every emotion in football last season,'' said Lightbourne.

"I'll just put that down to a bad season for me.'' Shawn Goater