A clear August morning, a well maintained pitch and a team focused on making a good start to the new campaign was a recipe for success. Sacriston dominated new boys Bowburn Athletic from the off and ended the game eleven goals scored and with a huge confidence boost.
It took Sacriston ten minutes to break down Bowburn with a ball falling kindly to Luke Wilson who calmly slotted the ball home to settle any nerves and get his campaign started, this was closely followed by Luke swinging a left wing corner to the back stick where captain Summers was storming in to power a header home making the score two nil after sixteen minutes.
Better still was to follow when Sanderson released Wardle playing out of position and he lobbed the ball into an empty net vacated by the 'keeper trying to close the ball down. Finch then made it four with some clever footwork and lifting the ball left footed into the roof of the net. Tom Winter then scored from outside the area after a Sanderson cross was deflected behind the players rushing into the box - a good strike for a right back Tom!
Half time came at 5-0 and we should be greedy and disappointed that we concede twice in the second period. The first of these came just after the break when Adam Kitching released his brother with a long punt and Nick hit the ball low to Adam's right, he will be disappointed he didn't save this after getting a hand to the ball.
Sacriston clawed this goal back when Wilson's long range effort crashed the bar and fell kindly for Wardle to head home. This signalled changes with Andy White and Liam Burn entering the game and Aaron White following slightly later.
Two of the subs combined when Burn took the ball on his chest then volleyed to the back post for Andy White to head home, this was quickly followed with an own goal when David Winter played a good cross which the defender turned home.
A good piece of play then saw Burn release Tom Winter who squared for Luke Wilson to double his tally, and better followed when David Winter exchanged passes with Liam Burn reversing the ball into the box for Winter to join the scoring party.
Tom Winter then turned provider again, crossing for Wilson to complete his maiden hattrick from close range, a satisfying reward for a player who has worked his socks off preseason without much personal reward.
Bowburn then arguably scored goal of the game with Nick Kitching doubling his tally with a great free kick - the centre forward tapped home to make sure but I'm convinced the ball had crossed the line after first hitting the bar.
A satisfying start with seven different scorers and others having a big hand in creating goals - the defenders looked solid with Dawson picking up man of the match from their lads - I'd have give it to Luke but the official award stays with Dawson
Thanks to Bowburn for never giving the game up and for hospitality back at their pub - we hope your season goes well
