The 2026/27 season started with the visit of Wheldrake Juniors to the Jubilee Fields. The Vikings started well and put Wheldrake under pressure straight from the kick-off. Wheldrake then had a good period and after 4 minutes forced the first save of the match which was taken well by Daniel. The Vikings then sprung an attack which was halted when Peter was fouled just outside the Wheldrake penalty area. The freekick from Mia was pushed away by the Wheldrake keeper. It was turning into an end-to-end game as the two teams tried to get on top. Just after the 8-minute mark the Wheldrake goalkeeper made a good save from a shot from Peter. The Vikings then forced a corner that led to a shot from Frankie that was headed clear. Riccall were starting to push and a cross from Reuben was close to being finished off. The Vikings were having some success down their right side and were looking the more threatening of the two teams.

On 15 minutes a good ball from Reuben found Jacob whose shot went just wide. The Vikings kept up the pressure and a shot from Reuben was well held by the Wheldrake keeper. The pressure eventually got its reward on 20 minutes when a cross from Peter was finished in the centre by Cameron. After a scrappy couple of minutes, a free kick from Hannah found Peter in the penalty area but his effort was cleared by a defender. The pressure continued without resulting in many clear chances. Wheldrake then had a good spell, but it was still the Vikings who were creating the better chances when on 32 a good effort from Tommy went just over the crossbar. After 34 minutes Peter had another effort saved by the keeper.

The second half started with Riccall on the front foot and getting forward and shots from Peter and Mia going just wide. The game started to turn into a basketball game as the half continued as both sides looked to get forward when they got the ball. A midfield battle ensued but Riccall were having the better of it and forced a save from the Wheldrake keeper on 46 minutes. Reuben won a corner for the Vikings and after the first attempt was put behind by the Wheldrake goalkeeper, Mia’s corner was fired home by Tommy. The Vikings kept applying the pressure but couldn’t add to their goal tally. On 51 minutes Wheldrake were unlucky when an overhead kick from a corner hit the post. A few minutes later Daniel was called into action to make a save from a Wheldrake shot.

In the 55th minute, Wheldrake hit the woodwork again from a speculative effort which rebounded to safety. The Vikings then had another period of pressure but couldn’t find the killer goal and then against the run of play Wheldrake pulled a goal back on 60 minutes when the Vikings were caught at the back and the shot looped in. A long ball over the top almost saw the Vikings extend their lead but the shot from Cameron went just wide. On 65 minutes a Riccall break led to a shot from Peter, but it went just over the bar and after a period of Riccall pressure another shot from Peter went close as the game was drawing to a close. The final whistle blew to seal the opening day victory for the Vikings which was well deserved after a good opening performance.