Report submitted by Beacon League

FC Premier 2014 bounced back from their recent cup final disappointment to lead the goal charge as a new Beacon Sunday league campaign got underway this week.

Beaten finalists in this month's held over (from 2019/20 season) Clinton Cup, FC Premier soon put the heartache behind them wth an opening day 6-0 success over newcomers Sporting Black Country.

And it was a day that saw the scoring limelight shared by Dan Westley, Ugo Iroegbunam, Jermelle Banner, Alex Spencer, Mason Heard and Jack Allen in the newly named Concentric Sales & Lettings Western Division.

But it was not a similar story for newly crowned Clinton cup winners Sedgley Rangers who went down 5-2 away to neighbouring AFC Sporting Gornal, who had Jordan Robinson (two), Luke Chapman, Grant Davies and Cory Massey on target. Joe Waterfield and Connor Hoban replied for Rangers.

Matching 5-1 victories were secured by Wrens Nest Rangers and Sedgley Sporting over Coseley FC and Blades FC respectively. The former had Jae Fitzpatrick (two), Jacob Alexander, Tahi Markland and Ethan Shelley on the mark, the sole consolation from Kane Lewis.

There were maximum points for Sedgley Sporting as Brad Lewis stole the show with a well taken treble, supported by Greg Poole and Tom Timmins. Opening the account for new boys Blades was Harry Woodbine.

Woodside Inn got off to a winning start, running out 3-0 victors at Netherton Tigers, as the trio of Joe Colley, Aaron Lloyd and Kyle Carter found the net.

In the Paycare Eastern Division, Trysull Athletic (formerly Tigers) were well pleased with their opening day efforts as they saw off the challenge of Bushbury Hill 4-0, goals from Will Spruce, Callum Kearney, Aaron Bolton and Jack Pitchford.

AFC Bloxwich made it a winning return to the Beacon ranks, coming from behind to defeat visiting Black Country Fusion Development 3-1, goals from Reece Perry, Liam Parton and Tom Wright. The BCFD reply was taken by Luke Jogoo.

Essington AFC edged a closely fought encounter against FC Premier under-21s, running out odd goal in three winners thanks to Alec Knowles and Kieran Jones. Premier he kept things tight through Jianni Singh.

With a big increase in teams for the league's popular over-30s section, two Eastern section fixtures produced six goals apiece and honours shared.

Joey Norton, with a hat trick, was star of the show as Casuals Veterans drew with AFC Broadlands, whose replies came from Jack Perry, Scott Sandland and Scott Sjoerdsma.

The fixture between between Boca Seniors and Black Country Old Boys saw the former well served by Mike Smart, Michael McFarlane and James Adams, while the Old Boys earned a point thanks to a Mike Parker double and an own goal.

In the league's flagship knockout competition, the NDT Midlands Lester Charity Cup, CTS (Coseley, Tipton, Sedgley) United slipped to a 5-2 defeat in Sunday's delayed final.

CTS, like their opponents, were chasing a league and cup double from last season, but they were always trailing against the top tier champions.

Jay Crumpton netted both CTS goals, his second a spectacular overhead effort, but the second tier league winners had to settle for second best on this occasion with four goal Connor Forrester inflicting the damage for Claregate.