SW Steelers show their mettle in opening Sunday League top-flight clash

SW STEELERS recorded a creditable 4-4 draw with DMS FC in their first ever game in the top division of the Grimsby, Cleethorpes & District Sunday League.

The Cheapside pitch was in perfect condition and that suited the visitors down to the ground, as DMS played some excellent passing football to storm into a two-goal lead inside 15 minutes.

The first came after a through-ball sent a DMS player free down the right wing. He whipped the ball into the net and watched as it was swept home.

Worse was to follow for the hosts, as an attack down the opposite wing saw another cross into the box converted easily.

At this stage, the Steelers management were fearing a heavy beating but their players soon settled and began to play their way into the game.

But they suffered a blow minutes later when forward Rik Gaunt was forced off with an injury with George Eyole coming on in his place.

Steelers then pulled a goal back five minutes from the break when Kyle Bensley played the ball into the area and 17-year-old debutant Tom Petterson hooked a great effort over the DMS keeper and into the top corner.

Steelers continued to press at the start of the second half and soon grabbed the equaliser when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box.

Bensley stepped up to curl a great ball around the wall and into the net, although the DMS keeper will be disappointed that he did not save it.

Ten minutes later Steelers surged ahead when a great ball found Luke Borrill bearing down on goal and, with the DMS keeper rushing out of his area, he unselfishly squared to sub Eyole to knock it into the empty net to give his side the lead for the first time in the game.

This rejuvenated DMS and they soon pulled themselves back into the game when they grabbed an equaliser.

But back at the other end, the ball was played to the impressive Borrill who found himself in on goal.

He kept his nerve to curl the ball around the keeper and give Steelers a 4-3 lead.

With the game entering the closing stages, DMS put the Steelers goal under sustained pressure, but the defence of Nath Thompson, Gaz Deakins, Nick Rook and Bensley stood firm.

It looked liked Steelers were going to hold out for a famous win, but with time running out, a long throw into the area was headed into the net with the Steelers players appealing desperately for a foul as DMS snatched a draw.

Elsewhere in division one, Cromwell beat AFC Bradley 4-1.

HUMBERSTON got their 2012/13 campaign off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over GTF Seas in a new look division one.

The side were made to work hard for their opening three points in what was a tough game made more difficult by the stifling heat.

They got off to a perfect start when captain Tom Summers found himself unmarked at the far post to head home firmly and give his side the lead.

Their lead was short lived however, as, when a ball over the top caught Humberston napping, keeper James Swann rushed off his line and upended the oncoming Seas striker and conceded the penalty, which Gavin Schofield duly converted.

As the game became scrappy, Summers missed an identical chance to the one which he scored from when he failed to convert with a point-blank effort.

Having only been able to field a bare eleven, Seas showed a determination they may need to call upon again this season as they hung on till half time.

It was much of the same in the second half until Humberston changed their formation in a bid to break down a resolute Seas.

The introduction of Jim Mumby-Croft soon brought dividends as good work from Freddy Cass and Louis Grant set up Liam Davis who smashed the ball home.

Humberston worked hard in the closing stages, but could not put the game to bed and were glad to hear the final whistle and claim their first three points of the season.

CROWS Nest got their Division Two season off to a flying start with a 9-1 victory over Caistor Rovers.

Inkworks sit just below them in the table after they recorded won 2-0 away to Tap & Spile.

Imperial Red Star also won 4-3 away to Immingham Town, with Lee Chisnall grabbing all four goals.

Goals from Jason Chisnall, Ashley Kiss and an own goal helped BBS Couriers to a narrow away victory to Police – Adam Aisthorpe, Sam Stenton getting on the scoresheet for the home side.

In Division Three, Millfields won 4-2 away to AFC Nitro, with all their goals coming from Aaron Love.

Goals from Mark Barber, Daniel Carter, Kye Peterson and Jack Wilson helped East Trans Pelham to a 4-1 win over The Cricketers.

Cleethorpes Town also ran in four, without reply from Bridge while Deportivo Empire won 8-0 away to Humberston Grosvenor with a hat-trick from Stephen Robinson, added to by a Lee Potter brace and strikes from Terence Ballard, Anthony Jagger and Callum Wood.

Meanwhile, in Division Four, Crows Nest 2nds won 7-0 away to Blossom Way County with Marc Musgrove grabbing a hat-trick.

Jon Dunks bagged a triple in Clee Community ESL's 5-0 victory over FC United of Grimsby, while there was also another hat-trick for Neil Kirwin as Wheatsheaf won 5-3 away to Great Coates.

Tap & Spile 2nds narrowly edged out Cromwell Rovers with a 3-2 victory.

RER Haulage shot to the top of the early Division Five table with a 5-2 win over Healing 2nds – Simon Peck bagging three for the home side.

Meanwhile, Old Lloyds won 4-1 against AA Property New Waltham.

A brace from Chris Duffield helped EAG FC beat Seachill Athletico 2-1 while Olivers Wine Bar won 5-1 away to Grimsby Rovers with Ashley Collins scoring four.

West Marsh Old Boys strolled to a 6-0 win away to Kings Head Waltham while Spiders Web beat Winns FC 4-1.

Honest Lawyer and The County played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in the division's remaining tie.

The other game in this division between Honest Lawyer and The County resulted in a 2-2 draw.

In Division Seven, The Oak Tree (Jamie-Mark Dixon 3, Gary Kirwin 3, Chris Mogg 2, Robert Morrison, Brendon Smyth) won 10-0 away to FC Ntex.

New side Pelham 1878 (Ewan Brand, Joel Bryson, Aaron Gorman 2) beat Clee Community ESL 2nds (Brad Wright) 4-1 while Laceby Acres Utd (Matthew Hardy, Conner Watson, Ashley Stephen) won 3-0 away to Abatis Athletic.

In the Senior Challenge Cup, Tower Bucharest drew 2-2 with AFC Wybers (Michael Thornley 2) but Tower took the tie 3-1 on penalties.

In the Junior Challenge Cup, Laceby Arms (Gavin Legg 5, Frank Clark, Paul Hamilton, Thomas Leonard) beat IFK Knottkoping 8-3.