PREMIERSHIP new boys SAS pulled off a stunning opening-day shock by defeating reigning champions Rendezvous 3-0 on the new 3G pitch at Redlands.
A tight offside call and a penalty save denied Danny Sanders’ men an early lead but it failed to dampen their spirits with skipper Marco Nott eventually turning in a corner from Josh Houghton at the near post.
After the break, the Vous upped their game but SAS continued to stand strong and grabbed a second with Nott returning the favour with a pin-point cross that Houghton gladly nodded home.
That breakthrough completely rocked the title holders and just moments later their opponents secured a killer third when Charlie May set up Houghton for his second, which he coolly slotted past the advancing keeper.
Sanders said: “We could not have asked for a tougher start and a better result, and in my eyes it was what everybody deserved for the work-rate they put in.
“We will enjoy this win but it is a long season and this league has some great sides in it, so we must keep our feet firmly on the ground and now focus on our next match.”
Fellow promoted outfit Quayside also got off to a winning start by producing a stunning performance in a 4-3 victory over Tuatara Bar.
With player-manager Bobby Darch absent, Steve Bennett took the reins and from the outset the new 4-4-2 system provided some free-flowing football, which resulted in goals from Marc Dalley (2), Paul Cole and Shane Sheridan with the latter’s strike proving the winner with just four minutes to go.
Weyline and last season’s runners-up Duke of Albany played out a highly competitive 1-1 draw.
Lee Thompson headed Weyline in front in the opening minute but they were unable to add a second with Ben Porteous seeing a 25-yard strike parried away by Neil Innes.
Porteous then produced a lunging block to deny Dean Williams at the other end but after Sam Nichols had gone close to adding a second, the Duke finally levelled on 49 minutes when Norton Rodgers beat James Parkes with a low drive.
The Weyline stopper then pulled off a spectacular one-handed save to deny Kenan Yildram before Nichols found the side netting from six yards as the game ended all square.
In the other game to take place in the top flight, Britannia edged an eight-goal thriller against Alexandra 5-3.
Stuart Burley and Kieren Cairnduff both grabbed braces for the Portlanders, whose other goal came from Elliott Gould.
Meanwhile, down in the Championship, the newly-named Sailors Return, formerly Bar 314, got their campaign off to a great start with a 5-0 win over Belvedere.
Jimmy Douglas starred with a hat-trick with the other goals coming from James Vincent and Felipe Medeiros.
Wellworthy also racked up five but conceded two against Medics Away.
Joe Djeebet, Dan Cooke, Mickey Joliffe, Chris Heward and Mark Stamp did the damage for the winners.
It was a disappointing start to the Championship campaign for the Galaxy Lions as they went down 2-1 at home to Broadmayne.
The Lions had more than their fair share of the play but failed to capitalise on a dominant first half display. After the break Galaxy fell behind to a fluke goal only to restore parity with a screamer from left-back Nathan Steele. The spoils looked likely to be shared before a goalkeeping error gifted Broadmayne all three points.
Lions’ manager Dave Price said: “Unfortunately, for one reason or another, we were without our usual front two and paid the price.
“The effort was there but we just needed a bit more commitment and a bit of luck in front of goal.”
Elsewhere, Rock beat Clipper 4-1, Dolphin won 8-3 at Old Castle and Moby Dick’s slumped to a 6-1 loss against Market House.
RESULTS
Weymouth Sunday League Premiership: SAS FC 3 Rendezvous 0, Tuatara Bar 3 Quayside 4, Alexandra 3 Britannia 5, Weyline 1 Duke of Albany 1.
Championship: Sailors Return 5 Belvedere 0, Wellworthy 5 Medics Away 2, The Rock 4 Clipper 1, Galaxy Lions 1 Broadmayne 2, Old Castle 3 Dolphin 8, Market House 6 Moby Dick’s 1.
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