Wade blast Whacks Wear to win

There were goals galore in the Third Division where Wear United started the campaign with a 7-3 win at Witherwack.

Sam Wade stole the show with four strikes for the visitors while Barnes, Croucher and Taylor also netted.

Millfied Oddies almost let a three-goal lead slip away, but fought back to claim a 4-2 victory over Penshaw CC. Mark Rutter’s brace helped the Oddies on their way, with Timm and Carney scoring to secure the win.

Lakeside SCC registered a comprehensive victory over Washington Blue Bell Inn.

The win was in part thanks to doubles from Murton and Harford, with Paul Rutter adding the fifth in a 5-2 win.

Free Gardeners also picked up a crucial early three points as they edged a seven-goal thriller. Ridley and Hutchinson netted before a brace from Dan Brown secured a 4-3 win.

There were also goals galore in the Fourth Division, where braces from Ball, Huggins and Stephenson helped Washington Duke to an 8-1 away win at Hall Farm Doxy Lad.

The Carpet Centres Elite also racked up a comprehensive win thanks to a 7-2 thrashing of Velocity FC. Having been tipped as potential title challengers prior to the season, Carpet Centres saw seven separate scorers help them to a comfortable win to kickoff the campaign.

Ashbrooke Rosedene also began the season in fine fashion courtesy of a 6-1 victory at Washington Cherry Tree.

Michael Brown stole the headlines with a hattrick as the Rosedene look to climb up the leagues having nabbed a few Premier Division players over the summer.

Washington United and AFC Houghton also picked up three points courtesy of 1-0 victories over Whitburn Panthers and Washington North Biddick Social respecitively.

Meanwhile, in the Total Sports Challenge Trophy, top tier side Stella Dons proved too powerful for Millview CIU as Liam Young’s four goal haul helped the Dons on their way to a 7-0 win.