AFTER a glorious summer so far, Hurricane Bertha ensured the 2014/15 Redditch & South Warwickshire Combination season began in style with some good old fashioned Sunday morning football weather.
Connor Perry-Holmes and Robbie Bunn both scored twice for a new-look Church Hill side in a 6-0 triumph at Wychbold RBL in the Premier Division, whilst Translift Bendi signalled their arrival in the top division with a 5-3 victory over hosts South Redditch as Rikki Atkinson scored twice for the visitors.
Rubery Bridge also signalled their intent with a 3-1 win at home to Fairfield GLC.
In Division One, CBH Fasteners were left to rue missed chances as Rocklands’ superior finishing ensured the season opener ended in a 2-2 draw.
Aaron Brough’s 80th minute winner secured a 3-2 victory for SHTP at Lodge Park as the home side missed a late penalty.
Millfield Rovers won 4-2 at Alcester Town and Alvechurch Sunday eased to an 8-1 success at Beoley Village as Redhill bagged a hat-trick.
A Kyle Chambers hat-trick saw Queens Head start the Division Two season with the biggest win of the opening day as they won 10-0 at home to Redditch Cross and Jamie Wright also scored three as Winyates Wanderers saw off the strong challenge of visitors Sporting Club 4-3.
Dave Phelan opened the season with two goals in Abbeydale’s 4-2 home victory over Frankley Athletic.
Results: Premier Division – Rubery Bridge 3 (Birchill, Strevens, Duffy) Fairfield General La Coruna 1 (Swallow); South Redditch 3 (Parker, Smith, Surman) Translift Bendi 5 (Ashford, Atkinson 2, Hill, Butterly); Wychbold RBL 0 Church Hill 6 (N Broadhurst, L Broadhurst, Perry-Holmes 2, Bunn 2).
Division One – Alcester Town 2 (Layton, Vale) Millfield Rovers 4 (Hiles 2, Dews, Waldron); Beoley Village 1 (Kinley) Alvechurch Sunday 8 (Kelly, Boyce 2, Williams, Campbell, Redhill 3); CBH Fasteners 2 (Martin, Parrish) Rocklands 2 (Thornton, Atkinson); Lodge Park 2 (Ledgister, Maynard) SHTP 3 (Kendall, Brough 2).
Division Two – Abbeydale 4 (Phelan 2, Jones, Devante) Frankley Athletic 2 (Crawford, Neilson); Queens Head 10 (J Reeves 2, S Reeves, Kyle Chambers 3, Capewell 2, Blackford, Porter) Redditch Cross 0; Winyates Wanderers 4 (Jamie Wright 3, Cund) Sporting Club Redditch 3 (Sill 2, Higgins).