A HEADED goal from Scott Palmer proved the difference as Prudhoe Town secured an opening day victory over their town rivals.

One of six changes at the break, the striker needed just nine minutes to produce the decisive goal against Prudhoe YC Seniors which puts the Wearside League in the driving seat at this early stage of the competition.

In a tight game which the Youth Club team perhaps shaded in terms of possession and chances, Palmer was afforded the time to pick his spot as the Seniors fell asleep at a corner. From close range, he was never going to miss after a perfectly lofted cross from Adam Knowles.

The Seniors had plenty of chances to level things at the death but were guilty of wastefulness.

A midfield battle ensued in the opening half with scoring opportunities few and far between. In fact, the best chance of the half wasn't even a chance at all as a deep cross from Seniors wing back Andrew Below hurtled dangerously towards goal, only for Town's talented custodian to get behind the ball.

Last year's leading scorer Adam Greenwood was typically full of running and looked to have broken the deadlock on 35 minutes as his shot from the edge of the area looked destined for the bottom corner. Again, though, teenage goalkeeper Green showed his talent to make a superb low save.

Town had their chances too with Derek Waters' in-swinging corner requiring Matty Robinson to head off his own post, while Waters was denied as Seniors defender John Hudson threw his head in the way of an effort.

The best move of the half came with time running down, Ste Forster flicking the ball into the path of Knowles whose shot was well controlled but just off target.

Town manager Mattie Thompson rang the changes at the break to fully utilise his entire squad, and the new-look team came out for the second half full of positivity.

It was Palmer who looked the most likely to change the game, a purposeful run seeing him take on his men and then force Seniors keeper Mark Clark to palm away a ferocious effort at his near post.

It was from the resulting corner that the substitute found the back of the net, unchallenged to send a good header nestling into the net.

Town remained on the front foot and Knowles cut inside and fired a shot on goal which Clark did well to keep out, while David Burns missed a golden opportunity at the back post when he headed wide Palmer's cross.

By this point, the Youth Club were on top as they poured forward in search of the elusive equaliser.

A flowing move saw Robinson play in Scott Douglas who fired an effort from outside the area just over, while impressive centre half Sam Brown saw a point blank diving header stopped by Town's shot stopper Shaun Banks.

Douglas again cleared the crossbar after good work from Graham Bell, while captain Phil Murray could only find the side netting.

Having already had a pre-season game under their belt, the Seniors still had bag fulls of energy with Greenwood prominent throughout but he passed up three opportunities with his header from Bell's great delivery the easiest chance of the game.

The Youth Club did have the last say as they claimed the bonus point for winning the shoot-out, Murray, Robinson, Ben Dobson and Douglas all converting after Jonny Barrett missed their opening kick.

Prudhoe Town scored their opening two courtesy of Liam Henderson and Marc Sagar, but Burns screwed his attempt wide and Luke Banks blazed over to see Seniors to the 4-2 success.