Lion show quality to kick start their cup campaign

GOLDEN Lion were in a rich vein of form to make a fine start to their Sentinel Sunday Cup campaign.

Lion were paired with Potteries and District League outfit Red Lion Hartshill - and swept to an 8-0 win.

Golden Lion would have been confident of progressing because their rivals have endured a tough start to the league season.

And they took a firm grip on the tie wuen Craig Hayes’ 10th-minute goal was added to by Jermaine Leveridge to give Lion a 2-0 half-time lead.

The home side turned on the style in the second half as Red Lion started to tire.

Hayes netted in the 50th and 65th minutes to complete his hat-trick, and there were furhter strikes from Aaron Walker (52), Sean Buck (57) and Scott Dixon’s double (68 & 85) to put the seal on a comprehensive success.

Buxton Stags marched in to the third round of the Derbyshire Sunday Cup with an easy 7-1 home win against Chesterfield outfit Hasland Community A.

However, they had to come from behind as Hasland broke the deadlock from the penalty spot.

But that was as good as it got for them as Buxton Stags roared back in to the tie.

They recovered with a brace from Joe Burgess, and one a piece from Pete Richardson and Jack Gregory, the latter from the spot.

After the break, Colin Moss hit a brace and Connor Johnson rounded off a fine morning.

In the Macclesfield and District Cup, Waterhouses’ long trip to Wilmslow side Westlands didn’t pay off as they lost out 4-2.

Waterhouses opened through Adam Taylor in the 12th minute, but Westlands levelled 12 minutes later and sneaked the lead just before the break.

Westlands went further ahead 10 minutes after the restart only for Taylor to make his brace on the hour.

Waterhouses battled to the end but the game was put out of reach as they shipped an own goal with five minutes remaining.

Dyers Arms move up to second place in the league to match Golden Lion and Waterhouses on 15 points after beating Vale Hoppers 4-2 in a thrilling game at Birchall.

Hoppers reached the break with a comfortable two-goal lead courtesy of a Ben Ambage brace (25 & 40).

Football

But Dyers kept their heads and Declan Heath started a remarkable recovery by pulling one back in the 65th with Elliott Heath levelling 10 minutes later. Adam Stubbs was the hero for Dyers as he nosed them in front in the 88th minute, before adding his second in the final minute of the contest.

Bulls Head achieved their second win of the season in a tight encounter away to AFC Wellington.

Lee Tawn scored for Bulls Head virtually on the halftime whistle.

Benji Rooke (56) levelled for Wellington only for Nathan Smith (65) to edge Bulls Head in front.

Rob Cimino (70) levelled for a tense finish, but Tawn came up with the winner with five minutes left.

Breaks Athletic earned their first win of the season to lift them up a place at the expense of club-mates Breaks United.

Dave Tatton gave Athletic a lightning start in the first minute, only for Steve Ecclestone to level in the 10th.

Steve Wood regained the lead for Athletic in the 23rd but Ecclestone levelled again two minutes later.

Adrian Findlow (38) edged Athletic into the lead for the interval.

Athletic commanded the second half with goals from Jack Davis (55), a brace from Miles Chadwick (64 & 84) and Findlow scored his second with two minutes to go.

There will be some top action on the agenda in the Leek and District Sunday League this weekend.

Leaders Golden Lion, who have won five of their six outings, have home advantage against AFC Wellington, who are struggling in the lower reaches of the table.

Bottom-of-the-table Breaks United, with seven successive defeats on their tally, make the trip to mid-table Vale Hoppers.

And Breaks FC are also on the road as they make the journey to take on Prince of Wales.

Dyers Arms, second in the table, are in Sam Kimberley Trophy action as they entertain Seighford B.

Two Leek sides start their bid for Sentinel Sunday Cup glory.

Breaks Athletic have home advantage against FC Trent Tavern and there is also a clash between Windmill Werrington and AFC Dolphin as the sides attempt to book their place in the second round.