Exclusive coverage of PDSL begins
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The eagerly anticipated Peterlee and District Sunday League season began with a bang on Sunday, August 12, with no less than 96 goals.
And The Star will be following the teams throughout the season, giving exclusive updates on the goings on around the leagues in the paper when it hits the streets every Wednesday.
Sport this summer has been coming thick and fast with the European Championships and London 2012, but the main interest from around the Peterlee area has been the arrival of the new campaign.
Players from Peterlee Town to Hetton Social have all looked forward to the new season and the opening weekend did not disappoint with one hat-trick in all of the three leagues from David Hockaday, Martin Peace and Jackie Benton.
League secretary Bob Anderson said: “It is great when the new season comes around.
“It is great to see everyone keen to get down to Low Hills Road or wherever the games may be and pull the shirts on.
“I know we will have a good season this year and I have a feeling it could be one of the best.
“Judging by some of the results we are in for a few surprises but every team has a chance of being one of those surprises.
“We have some really talented players across the board and I know that it is the same this year.
“The main thing is representing your club the best you can and enjoying playing a part in the Peterlee and District Sunday League.”
Defending champions Peterlee Helford United were looking to get off to the best possible start and did just that while visiting Easington Welfare.
The star of the show was David Hockaday who scored a sublime hat-trick and claimed the man of the match award while the returning David Paul was on top form grabbing a delightful double.
Michael Cain bagged the other DLI goal as Joe Taboon scored for the Welfare who were unable to handle the reigning champions.
Welfare secretary Stephen Fergus said: “We face a difficult challenge again this season as a result of losing key players to other clubs and retirement.
“But this has opened up opportunities for young lads to stake a claim and develop themselves which is something we have done for a long time.
“I am really looking forward to the season and no doubt we are one of the favourites to go down but never underestimate an underdog.
“I think we can cause a few upsets.”
Horden CW Supporters began life in the top division as they travelled to highly tipped Dawdon Colliery and were heavily defeated 9-1.
Newly promoted Easington CIU left it late to take victory over Shotton Comrades as they were 2-1 down with not long to go grabbing two late goals to win the game 3-2.
They got off to a better start than their also promoted Horden rivals thanks to goals from Adrian Sanders, James and Rob Huntley, who claimed the man of the match award.
The CIU were relegated and almost folded three seasons ago as they lost a lot of players to Durham City contracts but bounced back at the first attempt.
Despite missing out on signings such as Anthony Dobell from the defunked Easington HMS Victory, they are tipped to challenge for honours against Helford and Dawdon.
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Weather for Peterlee
Monday 20 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North
