THIS week saw the start of the Bolton at Home Sunday League’s 51st season – and what a start it was.

The league had four teams in the first round of the Lancashire Sunday Trophy and the top honours went to newly-promoted side Newbury FC as they edged out much-fancied Littleborough from the Rochdale Sunday League 5-4 in a classic match at Harper Green.

Littleborough took the lead after 15 minutes through a penalty conceded by Thomas Cohen, but within two minutes Newbury equalised through Dominic Sharples as his deflected shot deceived the goalkeeper.

Littleborough scored twice more, aided by sloppy Newbury defending, to lead 3-1 at half time.

Newbury manager Graham Sharples made three substitutions at the break and they made a huge difference as they went out on the attack and drew level within five minutes of the restart, Sharples scoring his second and Craig Sloane hitting the equaliser.

With 15 minutes to go Sloane popped up with his second to put Newbury in the lead for the first time. But they could not hold out as Littleborough made it 4-4 with 10 minutes left.

But with the prospect of extra time looming, last year’s Division Two player-of-the-season, Brent Helliwell, had other ideas. He picked up the ball just inside the Littleborough half, went past two defenders and with only the keeper to beat he coolly slotted to ball in the corner of the net to seal a 5-4 win.

Top Club travelled to Leyland to play Wordon Rangers from the Preston League and they came away with an excellent 3-1 victory, Steve Binns the hero with a fine hat-trick.

The Little Hulton side took the lead with Binns’ free kick, but Wordon levelled midway through the first half and the teams turned around at 1-1.

Five minutes into the second half Binns found himself with a one-on-one with the goalkeeper and kept his cool to make it 2-1. As Wordon Rangers pushed for an equaliser they left gaps at the back and with 10 minutes left Binns completed his hat-trick after some excellent work by team-mate Josh Smith.

Newly-formed team Bolton Town entertained a strong AFC Ingol side and, although they lost 4-2, they can count themselves unlucky.

With goals from John Yates and Lee Max Compton they put in a performance that suggests they will enjoy an exciting first season.

The other Lancashire Trophy match, between Queen Anne and Intack FC from Blackburn, had a bizarre end to proceedings.

With Intack a goal to the good the referee, who had earlier dismissed Queens’ Gaz Cunliffe, called a premature halt to proceedings early in the second half, abandoning the tie after also sending off Queen Anne’s Chris Powers. The Lancashire FA have since decided the result is to stand and Intack will go into the round-two draw.

In the league, Division Two champions Manny Road had a baptism of fire in Division One when they travelled to Farnworth United, who coasted to an easy 6-0 victory with goals from John Stephenson (two), Shaun Dootson (two), Gaz French and Gaz Bentley.

Astley Bridge Elite were defeated in their first game, against Bridge Celtic, who won 3-1 thanks to goals from Kane Wilkinson, Jake Ross and Sean Jones. Josh McLaren got the consolation for Astley Bridge.

In Division Two there were also two games played. Newcomers to the league, Salford side Barr Hill, entertained Bolton Rangers and ran out comfortable 6-1 winners.

Rangers put on an excellent performance in the first half and only fell behind to an own goal in stoppage time.

But in the second half Barr Hill showed their class and scored another five through Matty Taylor (two), Luke Jones, Dave Vanden and Ruben Rose.

With two minutes to go Kyle Harrison hit a 35-yard screamer that went in the top corner to at least give Bolton Rangers a stunning consolation goal.

The other game in Division Two saw Wellington put seven past newly-formed Heaton Casuals without reply.

Three goals came from Ryan Fielding and there were two each for Shane Garside and Danny Fuller.