NEWLY-PROMOTED Premier Division side New Hartley started their campaign with a baptism of fire. They found it tough going against North Shields Billy Mill, who ran out 5-2 winners with Ritchie Craven hitting a hat-trick and further strikes from Carl Moir and Jason Thomas. Steve Hurst and Terry Clough replied for a depleted Hartley. Seghill Social went down 4-2 at home to Blagdon Arms with Tim Wilson grabbing a brace and a goal apiece for John Leonard and Chris Wall. Jimmy Cummings and Chris Bond were on target for the Seghill lads. Blyth CR made a great start on their return to the Premier Division, taking Benedictine apart in a 6-2 victory. Dave Heatley hit a hat-trick and there were further goals from Carl Harvey, Neil Wilfrod and new signing Andrew Miller. Tony Stewart and James Binney hit back for Bene. North Shields Formica were held to a 2-2 stalemate with Burradon FC. Steve Hart and Rob Watson were the Formica marksmen, with the Burradon response coming from Lee Isbister and Carl Haddock. In Division One, West Moor SC were in devastating form, hitting seven without reply against Blyth Spartan Hotel. The Moors attack enjoyed a field day with Dean McAllister bagging a hat-trick, followed by further finishes from Joe Kennedy (2), Mike Parr (2) and Steve Mann. Cramlington Village were the day’s top scorers, rattling in 10 goals against Wallsend Community who only managed a single strike from Dean Blakelaw. Shaun Nicholson led the scoring with a hat-trick and there were further goals from Dave Fox, Bradley Graham, Andy Wilson, Andy Carr and Dave Dormand. Dudley and Weetslade beat Dinnington Village 7-5, with the highlight of the game a Martin Roper treble. Chris Bell (2), Gavin Wood and Sam Knowles completed the tally. The Dinnington goals scored by Andy Hully (2), Mark Dummett (2) and Joe Scott. Ship Inn Benton and West Allotment Northumberland Arms fought out a 2-2 draw with Kev Grahamslaw and Tom Carver netting for the Ship, and Andy Hall and Liam Said for West Allotment. Seaton Sluice got off the mark in Division Two with a superb 6-2 verdict over Procter and Gamble. Mark Fenwick and Dave Henderson grabbed a brace apiece, with Alan Rivett and Scott Dodds also on target. Dan Barton got both Procter goals, Dudley and District were also in good form and were too strong for Cramlington Phoenix. Chris Barker (2) Stu Taylor and John Alderson were their scorers in a 3-1 victory, the Phoenix countered with an own goal. Seaton Burn New Drift Inn and North Shields Garricks Head ended all square at 2-2. | 
