League appeals for referees
The new season got under way last Sunday - but the league is desperate for new referees as three opening-day matches had to be postponed due to the lack of match officials. In the games that went ahead, Premier Division champions Peterlee Catholic Club started on a disappointing note going down 2-0 to Murton Colliery and also ended the match with 10 men after Reece Brymer was shown a straight red card.
Dawdon Welfare Park, who finished last season strongly, started their campaign with a comfortable 5-1 win against Peterlee Helford United thanks to two goals apiece from Robbie Bird and Kieran Mitchell, with Callum Munro completing the scoring. Rhys Turnbull notched a consolation goal.
Newly-promoted first division champions Easington CIU got off to a great start when they picked up three points after a 5-1 win against Horden DLI, who had six players booked. Liam Adamson and Josh Home-Jackson both scored twice, with Simon Todd also on target. James Conner netted in reply.
The other club promoted to the top flight, Seaham Marlborough, lost their opening encounter against Easington Lane WMC 2-0 with goals from Young and Jones.
In the First Division, only two matches went ahead, with promoted Peterlee Hearts reaching double figures when they hammered relegated Easington Welfare 11-0 with six goals from Carl Winstanley, two from Dave Kember and one each from Steven Freeman, Paul Griffith and Michael Coates.
Shotton Comrades will be hoping to climb back into the Premier Division at the first attempt - and started with a bang after defeating Hetton Lyons 5-2 thanks to goals from Shaun Jackson, Liam Cockerill, Tony Hewitt, Michael Boardman and sub Jack Hart, with Jonathan Glenwright and Dean Muster netting for the Lyons outfit.
In the Third Division, Thornley Harry’s Bar were top scorers when they hammered league newcomers East Durham 8-0 thanks to a Lee Westgarth hat-trick plus further goals from Rob Hutchinson, Ryan Lamb, Tyler Curry and subs Luke and Ethan Maddison.
Goals from Andrew Daley and Arthur Dolan saw Haswell Oddfellows Arms beat Easington Victory 2-1.
Two goals from John Brown along with efforts from Scott Jackson, Chris Collings and Greg O’Brien enabled Peterlee Acre Rigg Celtic start win a 5-1 win against league newcomers Sunderland Deaf FC, Robert Lee Keegan netting the reply before being sent off.
New Seaham Westlea won their derby with Seaham Parkside 6-0 thanks to goals from Simon Jacobs (2), Jordan Machin, Josh Elliott, Martin Rodgerson and sub Aidan Lowther.