PROMOTION favourites pre-season, Swinburne Arms Stamfordham now face a season of struggle after losing five key players to Lemington Social Club.

They only had eight men for their trip to Haydon Bridge Anchor and endured a torrid 90 minutes as they shipped in 21 unanswered goals in Division Two of the Hexham and District Sunday League.

While Alex Lawson was named man of the match for the second week running, they saw Darren Dobson help himself to six goals, man of the match Mark Elliott to five and Kieran Robley four.

Joining them on the scoresheet were teammates Andrew Colquhoun, Andrew Pape, Ryan Robley, Ricky Armstrong, Paul Makepeace and Phil McDonnell.

The victory moved Bridge joint top of Division Two with Ryton Social Club also on nine points from four games after their 5-2 win over Rose and Crown Bellingham .

Man of the match Jada Doris and Scott Bennett both scored two with Martin Smith getting the other, with Aidan Armstrong at the double for Bellingham who were best served by Andy Wright.

Hexham Hearts boast a 100 per cent record after three played as goals from Dan Toward and Paul Britten earned them a slender 2-1 win over Hexhamshire . Duncan Scott was star man, with Nick Coward on target for ’Shire and Phil Tipple man of the match.

A Craig Robson goal proved enough for Haltwhistle Railway as they edged out fellow newcomers Adam and Eve Prudhoe 1-0. Player/ manager Mark Storey was their key man, with Andy Knotts starring for Prudhoe.

Prudhoe Social Club continue to set the pace at the top of Division One as a 3-1 win over Phoenix Chopwell made it 12 points from a possible 12.

In-form James Curry, Shaun Stewart and Andrew Finnie got their goals, while goalkeeper Kiel Zurawlew was man of the match. Danny Spoors produced Phoenix’s consolation, with Andy Smith man of the match.

Hot on their heels is unbeaten champions Haltwhistle Jubilee who had Greg Irwin hitting a hat-trick in their 6-1 success over Halfway House Prudhoe .

Ryan Potts, Dan Kirkup and Thomas Wilkie were also on target while Mark Robson was man of the match, with Jamie Crichton replying and Danny Driver star man for Prudhoe.

Hexham Phoenix edged out Bardon Mill Bowes Lyon by the odd goal in nine with Lewis Loughhead at the double.

Man of the match Luke Parkinson, Patrick McAlindon and Andy Elliott got the others, with Mill man of the match Ciaran Fleming, Adam Dickson, Adam Walton and Rob Hayes netting for the hosts.

A brace from star man Will Forsyth saw Barrasford to their first win of the season. With Tony Jewitt also netting, they led Prudhoe Town 3-0 at the break which proved enough despite man of the match Anth Porter and Scott Turley making it a nervy finish for the home side.