PONTELAND United endured a torrid return to the Premier Division of the Northern Alliance.

Missing key players and reduced to 10 men, they opened their account with a 3-0 loss to last season’s runners-up Whitley Bay A.

They started the campaign without prolific striker Alex Benjamin, who has signed for Cullercoats, and Greg McDermott due to work commitments, and were further rocked to injuries to Gary Cook and Paul Jones.

But this didn’t look to impede Pont as they started well with Glenn Ford seeing a headed attempt deflected behind, with Ethan Bewley and Alex Nisbet both denied by a great double save from Michael Hammond.

But it was Bay who broke the deadlock on 15 minutes as they broke from the back, Sean Jobson delivering a fine cross for Dillon Blake to head past Darren Bowey-Tyler.

The goal didn’t disrupt United’s rhythm and Nisbet was again kept out by Hammond, before sending a powerful shot just over after a great move involving fellow debutants David Short and Shaun Johnstone.

Whitley Bay re-emerged from the break more attacking and doubled their lead five minutes in, Chris Bell wriggled through a congested penalty area to fire past Bowey-Tyler.

They had a great chance to make it three on the hour when Ethan Bewley was penalised for bringing down his man in the area, only for Bowey-Tyler to save both of Logan Powell’s spot kicks after he was asked to take the original again due to encroachment from Ford.

Pont manager Liam McIvor introduced himself along with the other substitutions into play but didn’t do himself of his team any favours when he was sent off for an alleged use of the elbow.

A third goal for the visitors flattered them, but Jack Cooper took his chance and let fly from 25 yards to compound United’s misery.

United bounced back to put six without reply past Newbiggin in midweek, racing into a four goal lead before half time.

Glenn Ford got the ball rolling, with Ethan Bewley scoring twice either side of a goal from Nisbet.

The midfielder completed his double with 10 minutes to go, with Jack L’Argent making it six five minutes later as United got up-and-running.