Wearside League: Five-star Silksworth CW and Horden CW relish flying starts

Silksworth CW (red) pile the pressure on Hartlepool in the TWR Bifolds Wearside League. Picture by Kevin Brady

Following a goalless opening half at Silksworth Welfare Park, Stephen Moody fired the Wearsiders ahead on 52 minutes.

Although Ashley Turnbull quickly levelled for the visitors, Silksworth produced a scintillating late finish for boss Andrew Stobbart and four goals flowed from Moody, Michael McVay, Paul Muir and Carl Burns to give the home team a magnificent confidence boost.

They are back in action tonight, with a long trip to Windscale, before visiting Leam Rangers on Wednesday.

Horden CW overcame torrid off-the-field problems last season which fortunately didn’t affect their on-field performances.

Chairman Norman Stephens steered the club through rocky times and he was delighted with Saturday’s opening-day result against Ashbrooke Belford House.

The Colliers are having to play at Hartlepool’s Grayfields Enclosure and it took only 17 minutes for Peter Crawford to break the deadlock on Saturday.

Immediately on resuming, Keiran Voss doubled the lead and from then on it was a stroll in the park for the “home” side, who added further goals through Voss, Ash Griffiths and Sam White to complete a comprehensive 5-0 victory against their Sunderland opponents.

Belford will get the chance to make amends on Wednesday when they host Boldon CA, the same night Horden entertain Stokesley SC.

Seaham Red Star Reserves opened their campaign in impressive fashion, defeating Leam Rangers by the odd goal in five – despite being twice behind.

Johnny Hirst and James Wood struck for the Gateshead outfit, but, following goals from Mark Ruddock (pen) and Michael Cook, Red Star claimed a dramatic 92nd-minute winner when Michael Bulmer, making his Red Star debut, notched.

Wolviston, who struggled for most of last season, produced a stoic first-half performance at Jarrow, but their defence wilted after the break.

Captain Peter Kane’s stunning 25-yard drive opened the scoring on 56 minutes and Wolviston’s chances ended as they conceded twice in three minutes to Stephen Graham and Josh Allen. Right on the final whistle, David Smith completed a 4-0 victory.

Redcar Athletic could be the team to watch and they are confident of mounting a championship challenge.

If Saturday’s performance is anything to go by, that confidence is not misguided.

They enjoyed a five-goal romp against Prudhoe Town, thanks to Brian Stewart, Chris Bivens, Anthony Jones, Luke Johnston and Andy Jennings. Liam Henderson and Kosta Sada replied, but Prudhoe rarely troubled the Seasiders.

Annfield Plain left it late before edging past newcomers Windscale with an 80th minute goal. Kai Hewitson completed a good move, driving the ball past keeper James Dolan from 20 yards, giving Plain a big boost in morale.