TURNING up for their county cup tie with just 10 men, a valiant Hexham Phoenix team took last season’s losing finalists to penalties.

Drawn against Hexham and District Sunday League rivals Haltwhistle Jubilee in the opening round of the Northumberland FA Sunday Cup, they took the tie to pens after holding their guests to a thrilling 5-5 draw.

However, Haltwhistle, who harbour hopes of going all the way in the competition after missing out in the final last term, progressed by winning 4-3 in the shoot-out.

Matthew MacLoughlin starred for the under-strength Phoenix and he found the back of the net alongside double scoring Tony Lancaster, Luke Parkinson and Kurtis Harvey.

For Haltwhistle, both Dan Parker and Dan Kirkup scored two and Norman Calvert netted the other, while Dion Parker was man of the match.

Prudhoe Social Club claimed the scalp of North East Sunday League champions Wallsend Rising Sun, again on penalties, after a brilliant team performance over 120 minutes, encapsulated by that of man of the match Craig Moffat.

Michael Gilroy netted twice and James Curry and Darren Curry one apiece to take the game to penalties, with goalkeeper Kiel Zurawlew keeping out two spot kicks to earn the 4-3 win.

Maintaining their unbeaten start, Barrasford are the new leaders of Division One as four goals from Marc Nixon helped them to a 9-3 victory at Halfway House Prudhoe .

Andy Richardson bagged a brace, and man of the match Unpha Koroma, Owen Murtogh and Gareth Rhodes got one apiece, with Sam Moore, Jack Stoddart and Jack L’Argent replying for Halfway, who had Steven Grey named man of the match.

Dan Walker hit a hat-trick as Heddon St Andrew’s defeated Prudhoe Town 5-3, with man of the match Sean Hownam and Ross Bailey getting the others. Town’s star player Luke Banks scored twice and Luke Robson got the other.

Haydon Bridge Anchor are yet to drop a point in Division Two as they made it 12 points from 12 with a 6-3 triumph over Hexhamshire .

Phil McDonnell scored two and man of the match Dan Alexander, Kieran Robley, Nathan Riley and Jason White one each to cancel out two goals from Shire star man Glen Tweddle and one from Lee Riley.

Strikes from man of the match Billy Rogan, Jack Barker and Michael Eals kept Haltwhistle Railway hot on their heels as they were 3-2 victors over Adam and Eve Prudhoe who had Sam Calkin and Shaun Lyall on target, and goalkeeper Ryan Chambers impressing.

They are one of a host of teams on nine points, with Ponteland Village joining them after edging out Rose and Crown Bellingham 3-2 courtesy of goals from James Pattison, David Bambrough and Rohit Thamman, and a man of the match display from Nick Mingoia.

Man of the match Myles Croxford, Rikki Kent, Alex Skelton and Robert Morris all struck as Ryton Hotel returned from Prudhoe Town East End with a 4-1 success.

Bardon Mill Bowes Lyons put three goals without reply past Division One rivals Hexham Hearts to progress in the League Cup, Rob Hayes scoing two and Sam Austin one. Jason Elliott was again named man of the match.