Northside, the reigning West Cumberland Sunday League champions suffered their first defeat of the season on Thursday night.
They went down 4-0 at Dearham who have now won all three of their opening games of the new Premier Division season.
Lewis Manchester (2), Taylor Manchester and Matty Bell scored the goals which gave Dearham their win.
At the end of last season Dearham caused a bit of a surprise when they beat Northside 3-0 in the final of the Albert Murphy Trophy but there was no shock about this one.
Assistant manager Jason Ackerley was on charge for the night and was absolutely delighted with the side’s performance.
Jason said: “I thought there was a touch of nerves about us in the warm-up and for the first 10 minutes or so Northside were really strong and unlucky not to lead.
“We found some form after about 25 minutes and Danny Manchester split the defence to put his brother Lewis in for the opener.
“It was hard work keeping Northside quiet and then just before half-time there was a half chance for Lewis Manchester which he took.
“I told the lads that if they want to win this League these were the kind of games they needed to win and they had 45 minutes to do that.
“Northside are a strong side and they can score at any time but our defence was rock solid. Then half-way through the half, Matty Bell who was with Carlisle United and now plays for Penrith, had an opportunity and curled a great left footed shot into the net for 3-0.
“Again Dearham had to withstand strong pressure from Northside but there was no way through for them and a great night was capped by a fourth goal – one of the best scored on Pottery Park.
“The Northside defence cleared and Taylor Manchester hit it on the half volley from 35 yards to beat their keeper and send the crowd wild.”
The Butchers had not been able to raise a team on Sunday for their game with Northside but they were back in action on Thursday and drew 2-2 with Sun Inn.
Lewis Mattinson and Cameron Carter scored for the Maryport side with Mally Graham and Dan Pearson responding for Sun Inn.
There should have been a third Premier Division game but Bluebell were unable to raise a team to travel to Parkside.
The Sunday County champions Parkside had opened their account on Sunday with a 4-2 win at previously 100% Deer Orchard.
Jay Weatherill (2), Ben McCarron and Darren Little scored for Parkside with Luke Graham netting both for Orchard.
Lowca Pirates scored their first win when they put five goals on Bluebell without reply. Owen Woodburn (2), Harley Cueto, Oliver Todd and McKenzie Webster provided the goals.
Moresby Rangers had a good 6-3 home win over Sun Inn as goals from Brett Smith (2), Rhys Singleton, Ellis Trotter, Dan Hill and Keelan Leslie saw them over the line. Kieran McCluskey (2) and Dom Harrison netted for the Aspatria side.
Reece Bewley was the day’s individual top scorer as he bagged four in Thornhill’s 7-2 win over Whitehaven Development in Division One. Aiden Kegg (2) and Nathan Dryden supplied the others. Keenan Mackay got both for Whitehaven.
Salterbeck are going well and they were 5-3 winners at The Sun as Niall Melton (2), Liam Currier (2) and Leon Wharrier scored the goals, The Sun stayed in touch with goals from Dylan Hudson (2) and Tom Currie.
Senhouse Street are also going well and were 3-0 winners against Borough Miners with goals from Nathan Novak, Ollie Harkness and Gary O’Driscoll.
It was all square in the other Division One game on Sunday as Sun Inn Athletic drew 2-2 with King’s Arms. The Athletic were grateful for an own goal and a strike by Dawson Webster with King’s Arms earning their point with goals from Karl Blackburn and Matty Hornsby.
In midweek Salterbeck’s good run ended when they were well beaten by Senhouse Street by 8-1.
Gary O’Driscoll (3), Charlie Shaw (2), Nick Wood, Brian Straughton and Chris Williams were on target for Senhouse Street with Leon Wharrier scoring the consolation goal for Salterbeck.
Thursday night also witnessed one of those rarities in Sunday League football – a 0-0 draw – but an entertaining contest nevertheless between Swan and Zebras.
No such goal-less stalemates in the other two mid-week games. King’s Arms won 6-1 at The Sun while Sun Inn Athletic squeezed out a 4-3 win at Borough Miners.
Lewis Park (2), Kieran Fisher, Bobby Fitzpatrick, Kyle Newberry and Luke Elliot supplied the goals for King’s Arms. Jamie Pattinson netted for the Sun.
Matty Hornsby was the hero for the Athletic at Borough as he grabbed a hat-trick and also on target was Michael Prescott. Borough responded through Spencer Glaister, Jonny Walton and Brad Smith.
Thornhill won 4-2 at Royal Oak with goals from Nathan Dryden, Aiden Kegg, Gareth Humphreys and Daniel Wilkins. Connor Buck and Scott Dryden scored for the Oak.
Sunday’s games are:- Bluebell v Dearham; Lowca Pirates v Deer Orchard; Northside v Moresby Rangers; Sun Inn v Parkside.
Division One – Borough Miners v King’s Arms; Senhouse Street v Thornhill; Swan v Whitehaven Development; Royal Oak v Zebras; The Sun v Sun Inn Athletic.
