Five-star Pennywell move into Premier pole position
Pennywell Comrades are top of the Sunderland Sunday League Premier Division, sponsored by SM91, after their 5-1 demolition of Hylton Castle.
Dagg, with two goals from Bussey and Herring, claimed a massive three points for the Pennywell while sub Middleton hit Hylton’s goal.
Stella Dons started the season where they left off with a comfortable win over the Lansdowne. Sweeney bagged three followed by a late Osman goal. Lynch replied for the hosts. Super Callum Hope shone for Southwick and his only goal ensured their first win of the season. The Florists’ standout was Dan Thompson but Hope was the hero.
Thorney Close churned out an excellent performance in the first shot at the Premier League as they beat Washington Sky Lounge in style. Three goals from Burlace, Norton and King gave Thorney a valuable win.
In the First Division, sponsoredbyDSTShutters,Queen Vic’s excellent win over Herrington was marred as twogoal hero Paul Muir was given his marching orders late in the game. The hosts weren’t fazed as they had Carr score twice, as well as Clifton. Herron rallied back to put pressure on the Vic and Morrison hit two. Then Herron and Shanks added but the Vic held on.
Last season’s division winners found it hard in the first game in Division One. Townend came up against an organised Ryhope CW team and were well beaten. Stokoe and Fisk did find the net but plaudits went to Ryhope, who had their star men run Townend’s defence ragged. Spence hit three and Davies got the winner.
The Carpetmen earned their first three points with a tight victory over Wearmouth. Murton and Brooke fired home for the Carpets.
A Dillion Ashworth hattrick wasn’t enough for the Avenue to take anything from their match. Washington New Tavern took the game to them and found the net six times to get their first
points on the board. Hinde, McIntyre,Wilson,Thompson and a usual brace from Chris Robinson elevated the Tavern to the top of the league.
Newly-promoted Hendon were well beaten by an organised Jolly Potter team. Owen Imeson fired home from the spot but it wasn’t enough as Old, Markham, Whelan and Benson scored with ease.
In Division Two, sponsored by Ringtone Mobile Phones & Tablets, Marley Pots made a statement of intent by delivering a crushing blow to Oddies’ good preseason displays. The home side found the net with ease a total of 10 times to fly to the top of the league. Bulmer (4), Holmes and Charlton (two apiece), then Sweeney and Roper both scored one each before Oddies could respond.
Last season’s league championsStellaUnitedcontinued their excellent pre-season form with a confident 6-2 win over Washington North End. Doubles from Williamson and Arthurs had Stella in pole position before Rhys
Jukes notched two for North End. However, Stella kept knocking at the door and further goals from Richardson and Oliver sealed the win.
Belmont United got off to a flying start to life in Division Two as they upended Ryhope FC with a 4-2 win. Belmont took all three points, thanks to braces from Johnstone and Laing, with Ryhope adding goals from Ellis and Burns.
It looks like it’s going to be another long season for The Board Inn after their thumping 8-0 defeat at the hands of the Stella. Stalwart Gav Teasdale hit three clinical goals followed by Ashmead, Monaghan, Platten and a couple from Priestman.
Hall Farm, touted as title contenders, lost out on three points in a nine-goal thriller. New boys Washington NE38 had Stephenson hit three, then Young scored twice to capitalise on Halls Farm’s defensive issues. But they hit back through Hodgson, Callaghan and a Dean Smith double.
Albion FC had to overcome
a man down to beat Birtley Town 4-1. Orrell (2), Cushlow and Redman all hit the important goals, while Birtley’s Ryan Arnott provided their single effort.
Division Three, sponsored by P&D Windows, saw John Jones steal the show, with his four-goal haul putting Herrington Stackyard on course for a 9-0 win over Velocity Times Inn. Stanness added two and a Kieran Smith hattrick finished the rout.
Doxford Athletic swept aside Wear United with ease as they hit them for six in the opening-day fixture. Dan Dobson scored a hat-trick then, soon after, Jackson and White found the net. Foley pulled one back after coming off the bench for Wear United but a final goal from Gudgeon sealed the deal.
A classy double from Lewis Murton wasn’t enough for the Lakeside to take anything as Velocity United were too clinical in front of goal. Scott Armstrong hit one in each half, then it was left to Rose, Carr, Redpath and Barton to finish the scoring. Wallace Macleod’s late equaliser secured a point for The Victory Club after an early Adam Smith penalty had the Downhill side in front.
Super Jamie Dodds hit four goals for Witherwack to see his team take all three points over the River Bar. The away side hit back with doubles from Mackay and Smith but Cowley was on hand to hit the winner for the Wackers.
The Broadway were too good for the Grange, who will want to put this game out of their heads as they were hammered 10-2. Dan Brown earned star man for his fivegoal display. Robinson scored a brace and Howell, Mitchell and Jefferson made it double figures. Scott and Evans slightly reduced the deficit with their strikes.
The Lions roared to victory over last season’s struggling AFC Houghton. They scored five thanks to Cox (2), Goodwin, Reay and Doyle. Houghton kept themselves interested after Armstrong and Robson scored.