Northside have won the first battle between the two best teams in the West Cumberland Sunday League.
Last season Northside won the League ahead of Parkside and then in the Sunday County Cup final it was the Cleator Moor side who came on top.
They met again in the League on Sunday and it ended in an emphatic 5-2 win for Northside – on a day when four Premier Division games produced 31 goals.
For Northside there were goals from Evan Stephenson (2), Harry Watson, Steffan Scott and Kyle Davis while Parkside were on the sheet through Sam Stones and Alan Sim.
The only unbeaten side in the Premier Division are Dearham Commercial and they were given a thorough test at Pottery Park by Moresby Rangers before the home side edged it 3-2.
Danny Dryden, Lewis Manchester and Matty Bell netted for Dearham to give them their fifth win in as many matches. Aaron Hart and Conor Woodend kept Moresby in contention.
Deer Orchard have had a decent start, with their only defeat to Parkside, and they got the better of Bluebell in an 11-goal bonanza.
It finished 7-4 to the Cockermouth side with goals from Luke Graham (3). Sam Wright, Keith Skillen, Luke Ivison and Luke Harrison. Bluebell stayed in the hunt with goals by George Frampton (2) and Matthew Perry (2).
In the fourth top flight game Lowca Pirates were 7-1 winners at Butchers. Kian Goulding (2), Travis Fyfe (2), Callum Wilson (2) and Owen Todd scored for the Pirates. Dan Penman scored the Maryport side’s consolation.
In Division One the Zebras continued their fine start to the season with a 4-2 win against Salterbeck. Karl Fillingham (2), Matt Graham and David Conway supplied the goals with Leon Wharrier and Brad Newell responding for Salterbeck.
Sun Inn Athletic were 5-0 winners over Royal Oak as Mark Campbell (2), Ryan Thurlow, Matty Hornsby and Dale Walker found the net.
Thornhill were the Division’s top scorers with an 8-1 win against Swan. Nathan Dryden (3), Gareth Humphreys (2), Ryan Byrne (2) and Leis Coates supplied the goals with Shaun Pattinson scoring Swan’s consolation.
In the other game Sun beat Senhouse Street 4-2 with goals from Brandon O’Fee (2), Hayden Whittingham and Martyn Rossi. The Senhouse replies came from Nick Wood and Chris Williams.
The fixtures for Sunday include two belters in the Premier Division at Dearham and Aspatria.
Dearham Commercial put their 100% record on the line against a Parkside team smarting from a second League defeat of the season. Dearham are going great guns but this could be their stiffest test so far.
Meanwhile Sun Inn, who were the first team to beat Parkside this season, will enjoy the test at home again of lowering the colours of Northside. The reigning champions, however, have bounced back well since their defeat at Dearham.
As always a lot will depend on the strength of teams that clubs can put out after the night before!
Premier Division – Bluebell v Moresby Rangers; Dearham Commercial v Parkside; Deer Orchard v Butcher’s; Sun Inn v Northside.
First Division – Royal Oak v Swan; Salterbeck v The Sun; Whitehaven Development v Borough Miners; Zebras v Senhouse Street.
