NEWCOMERS FLEX THEIR MUSCLES

By Bill Gardner
Both Killingworth Sporting and Stocksfield, newly promoted to the Premier Division, settled in quickly and Killy celebrated their top flight debut with a 1-0 home win against Ponteland United.
For the second season running United found themselves playing a promoted club on the opening day of the season and Killingworth were understandably fired up for the confrontation. They started brightly with Kevin Grahamslaw pulling the strings in midfield and the experienced Michael Bell as committed as ever at the back.

Killingworth took the lead on the half hour mark when Grahamslaw played in a quick ball to Jorge Bollado and with the Pont defence static he turned to fire crisply past United’s keeper Green-Harris who was standing in for the absent Michael Havelock.

Pont should have equalised shortly afterwards when Liam McIvor met Fenwick's corner kick but headed over the bar and then he had a shot saved comfortably by Ames after good work by Paul Hodgson. Right at the death Pont had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down when Fenwick was impeded in the box and they deserved at least a share of the spoils.

Stocksfield travelled north for their first taste of Alliance Premier Division football against Alnwick Town and came away with a creditable 1-1 draw. They forced Alnwick to defend for long periods and took the lead ten minutes before half time. An excellent flowing move was rounded off when ex-Blyth Town striker Mark Waugh headed home from Paddy Finnerty’s perfect cross to the back post.

Alnwick came back strongly after the break but had to wait until the 80th minute for their equaliser. Stocksfield keeper Berry was forced into racing off his line and in the process sent an Alnwick forward sprawling. James Lang slotted home the resulting penalty and a draw was probably the fairest outcome.

Ashington Colliers made the long trip over to Cumbria for their curtain-raiser against Carlisle City and were narrowly beaten 3-2 at Sheepmount. Two early strikes by Carl Armstrong gave the home side a great start. Replies from Gareth Rees and Joe Moscrop encouraged the Colliers but with nine minutes to go Simon Hill snatched City’s winner.
Murton only just avoided relegation last term but made a promising start this time around and beat visitors Shankhouse 2-0. Their goals in each half were scored by Karl Garside and Mark Smith and they saw off all of Shankhouse’s attempts to save the game.

After a top four finish last time, Seaton Delaval are hoping for another impressive campaign but they were also restricted to a 1-1 draw by Heddon at Wheatridge Park. Paul Jones gave Heddon the lead early in the second half but Steve Anderson got Delaval back on terms and in the closing stages they were twice denied by the woodwork.

Walker Central, aiming for a a hat-trick of Premier Division titles in successive seasons, got off to a shaky start under new manager Michael Jeffels. The Central were rather fortunate to salvage a point from their 1-1 draw with visitors Wark who had Marc Nixon opening the scoring in the 80th minute. Walker survived another scare before David Dormand levelled with five minutes to go.

Last season Harraby Catholic Club finished third behind Walker Central and Gillford Park but they too had to be content with a share of the spoils on the opening day. They drew 2-2 with hosts Cramlington Town and went ahead on the quarter hour when Steve Archibald’s cross was headed home at the second attempt by Marc Shiel. Cramlington hit back through Stu Hepple as he punished a defensive error and then Cameron Patrick who fired home from Kevin Long. It took a late goal by Archibald to rescue the visitors who also had a Rob Bainbridge goal disallowed for offside.

Heaton Stannington recorded the first day’s most convincing victory by winning 4-2 away to Blyth Town and three goals put away by Eddie Murau (2) and Lawrence McKenna had them well clear after 65 minutes. A brace for Joe Race got Blyth back in with a chance, his first goal set up by Tom Haigh’s diagonal pass and his second was also the product of Haigh’s vision. But Kevin Carr completed Heaton’s tally to make sure of victory.

DIVISION ONE – PROMOTED SIDES SETTLE IN QUICKLY
Newly-promoted Amble United and South Shields United both started life in the First Division with identical 5-1 victories. Amble United won their opening home game against Chopwell Officials. Chopwell’s Chris Gill managed to cancel out Darren Riddell’s opener for Amble but the Seasiders then took over. Riddell bagged his second and further goals were added by Martin Humble, Ron Warwick and Ross Gair.

South Shields United’s first day victims were Seaton Burn and the Shieldsmen look set to relish the new challenge they’re facing. Their scorers in a rather one-sided encounter were Tijan Kah (2), Aaron Kah, John Gate and Jack Lawton.

Wallington won 3-1 away to Northbank and dominated the first half with home keeper Mark Lightfoot having to produce several fine saves. But against the run of play Northbank took the lead when John Slaven's shot was handled by a Wallington defender and Louis Gallacher netted from the spot.

The lead only lasted for ten minutes and the visitors were gifted their opener when home defender Stuart Windsor turned the ball into his own net. Wallington then went ahead in the 82nd minute when Michael Freathy just managed to beat Lightfoot and as Northbank pushed forward they were caught on the break. Freathy raced through to claim his second goal for the Northumbrians.

Newcastle East End made a winning start in claiming an emphatic 4-0 verdict at home to Morpeth Sporting Club who operated as Red Row Welfare last term. The East Enders were always in command and underlined their superiority with goals shared by Dean Holmes, Sean Graham, Anthony Johnson and Paul Bright.
Berwick United had Michael Robinson on target in their opener at home to Gosforth Bohemians but were eventually beaten 2-1. The Bohs just edged it in the end thanks to strikes by Ben Guy and Danny Sherwood.

Cullercoats and Whitley Bay A both narrowly missed out on promotion from the First Division last season and came face to face on the opening day of the new campaign. Rob Watson and Danny Nelson found the net for Cullercoats but their goals counted for nothing and the Bay picked up the points from a 3-2 victory.

Percy Main were 2-0 victors at Purvis Park to see off Hebburn Reyrolle. The Villagers hadn’t won an opening game since 2004 so they were delighted with the outcome in this one. Ex-Whitley Bay A stalwart Callum Colback opened the Main’s account midway through the first half when his chance was set up by Jonathan McEnaney. After 55 minutes the home side’s lead was doubled and this time McEnaney was on target himself after getting on the end of Dean Morgan’s flag kick and scoring from close range.

Peterlee Town, relegated from the Premier Division at the end of last season, were beaten 4-2 at home by Gateshead Rutherford after having David Steel and Nathan Liddell on target. Their visitors always looked stronger however and wrapped up the points with goals supplied by Robbie Frame, Kevin Irwin, Andrew Reay and Ross Greenhill.

DIVISION TWO – ALL’S WELL AT THE WELFARE
Stobswood Welfare made a winning start to the new Second Division campaign and beat hosts Newcastle BT 3-1. With Lee Coulter replacing long-serving manager John Weatherstone, BT made a disappointing start and goals for Josh Hay (2) and Michael Hogg gave the Welfare a clear lead at half time. Greg Palmer’s single reply wasn’t enough to promise a revival for the home side.

Amble’s first visitors were Forest Hall and the Seasiders were a trifle lucky to clinch a single goal victory. In an evenly-contested game a penalty decided the outcome in Amble’s favour and it was put away by much-travelled striker Wyn Fremlin in the 23rd minute.

League newcomers Cullercoats Custom Planet, Cramlington Blue Star and Swalwell had differing fortunes in their respective Second Division debuts. Only Cullercoats made a winning start with a narrow 1-0 victory away to last season’s strugglers Tynemouth United. The Planet were sent into orbit by Edward Garrett’s vital goal midway through the opening half.
The two other newcomers suffered first day defeats although Cramlington Blue Star were only narrowly beaten 2-1 at home by Wideopen & District. Close range goals for Martin Roper and Gary Lamb gave Wideopen a clear lead and the Star’s reply came via Jamie Hutchinson’s header from a free kick in the 80th minute.

Swalwell got off on the wrong foot, finding first day visitors Wallsend Boys Club hard to handle and the Tynesiders ran out comfortable 5-1 winners. Their goals were equally shared between Alau Harib, Stephen Thompson, Evan Graham, Mike Starkey and Johnny Towns with Swalwell’s single reply coming from Chris Smith.

Like the Boys Club, Wallsend Town and Newcastle Chemfica also won by the same 5-1 margin to get their seasons off to a promising start. Wallsend Town won at home to Willington Quay Saints thanks to Stephen Dodd’s hat-trick and goals for Paul McCutcheon and Pat Masuku. Wes Fidler was a lone marksman for the Saints.

Newcastle Chemfica saw off visitors Whitley Bay Town 5-1 after Chris Lockerbie fired them in front. Although Liam Lockhart levelled for the Town, Dean Calvert restored Chemfica’s lead and more goals flowed from Phil Bone, Anthony Bruce and Liam Naulls (penalty) to wrap up the points.

North Shields Athletic earned themselves a first day point at Hexham despite conceding a goal to the home side’s Gavin Cox only four minutes into the game. Injuries reduced Hexham to ten men after they’d used their substitutes and Craig Boyle was able to get North Shields back on terms.