THORNS DRAW TITLE FIRST BLOOD
Jackson Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League
LEAGUE champions Thorns drew first blood of the 2004-05 championship race with a 4-1 win over last year’s runners-up Loves.
Loves, who were beaten only once last season but lost the title by just two points, will be disappointed to have handed their rivals an early head-start in the new campaign.
Lee Atkinson, Andrew Richardson, Dave Owens and Ian Woodhall were on target for Thorns to record an important first victory.
“It’s a big result for us,” said manager Dave McWaters. “It was important to get off to a good start, especially with us facing Loves in the first game, but the lads played very well. I thought we did particularly well in the first half, but eased off in the second and didn’t play anywhere near as well. But we’re delighted to have won.”
Elsewhere, Salvins and Horndale claimed a share of the spoils in a ten-goal thriller.
Horndale were leading 4-1 at one stage – Dale Anderson (2), Kyle Allen, Stuart Fawcett and Wayne Pratt scored all their goals – but Salvins put up a spirited fightback to clinch a point. Mark Nicholson (2), Chris Wall, Paul Jones and Dean Routledge scored for them.
“It was a cracking game,” said Salvins Secretary Chris Lee. “The game seemed to be out of our reach at one stage, but we stuck at it and eventually drew level. Mark Nicholson’s goals were both crackers – both long-range free-kicks!”
Horndale Secretary Mickey Grimes said: “We were playing very well and cruising, but then we’ve gone to sleep and expected to win the game, which has cost us the two points. It was disappointing to lose the game after controlling most of the game.”
Meanwhile, newly-promoted Hunwick Joiners and Masons Arms both began life in Division One with wins.
Hunwick beat Browney 4-0 at home with a hat-trick by Paul Bailes and one from Ian Wise, while Masons Arms won 3-2 at home to Tudhoe United.
Postchaise drew 2-2 with Voltigeur, with Lee Taylor and Wayne King scoring for Postchaise. Gary Dixon and David Potts scored for the Volti.
Lakeside’s game with the Grand was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch!
In Division Two, Victoria kicked off their season emphatically with a 10-3 drubbing over league new-comers Gainford.
James Smith (4), Jason Greenland (3), Adam Cunningham (2) and Gary Scott did the damage.
Manager Ian Hubbard said: “Very pleased with a convincing win, although I still think there was room for improvement. But it’s a cracking start to the season for us.”
Eldon Arms narrowly edged a 3-2 win over Green Tree, with David Leary, Andrew Sams and Craig Clark scoring for the victors.
Winning Secretary David Sayers said: “We were winning 3-0 at half-time, but they came back at us after the break and caused some problems. We were hanging on and it was a case of backs to the walls! But luckily we managed to hold out and it was pleasing to start with a win.”
Meanwhile, Binchester Social Club recorded a 6-2 home win over North Briton thanks to four goals by Chris Pickles. John Wheatley and Anthony Binks also scored.
League new boys Ash Tree began their season on a positive note with a 4-0 win over Atlantic Bar. Glynn Porter (2), Chris Hardy and Steven Airey scored the goals.
Belvedere and Shildon Athletic played out a 2-2 draw. Adrian Brown and Tim Hutchinson were on target for the Bel, while Christopher Ross and an own goal were Shildon’s scorers.
Middlestone Moor won 6-3 at Cumby Arms with goals by Ryan Appleby (4), David Carr and Jordan Bulmer, despite Russell Cant netting a trick for Cumby.
• The next league meeting will take place at Croxdale WMC on Wednesday 1st September 2004.
• The league has now made some of its administration forms available on-line. Secretaries are able to download team sheets, registration forms and transfer forms from the league’s official website, www.spenny-league.co.uk
Printed copies of the forms will also be made available at the next league meeting (ten team sheets, five registration forms and five transfer forms will be available to each club), although clubs are asked to make additional copies themselves, as and when needed. | 
