Sutton Bridge United manager Liam Burton has set his side the task of securing a hat-trick of promotions in the ChromaSport Peterborough & District Football League (PDFL).

Burton's men started their Division Five season with a 4-1 win over Oundle Town Reserves at Memorial Park last Saturday, an ideal way for Bridge to christen their new shirt sponsorship deal with Norfolk firm MK Andrews Concrete Pumping.

Joseph Sutton, known to his team-mates as "Bib", grabbed a hat-trick for Bridge whose other goal came through Kurt Scott.

Burton said: "I was really pleased with the team's performance and they showed that we can perform at a higher level.

"Joseph's great player and he scored his hat-trick, but the man of the match was young defender Aiden Knight who dealt with Oundle quite well.

"Attacking-wise, we certainly meant business, scoring four goals and we were unlucky not to have a few more.

"We got stronger as the game went on and only conceding once."

Burton, who started playing for Bridge when he was only 15, is determined to lead his side back to where they were three seasons ago when they finished inside the top ten of the Premier Division.

"We're a new team, building back up from when we were in the top league," Burton said.

"Most of the team then went away and we struggled last year after going back into the league at Division 5 level.

"We now have a team of players, most of whom have PDFL experience, with a few who have never played adult football before.

"But I've told the team that I want to win every game this season and prove to the PDFL that we're not a Division 5 side.

"I believe we're a Division 2 side and we mean to win every game we play."

Also in Division 5, NECI Reserves ran at 6-3 winners at FC Hampton A.

Six different scorers were on target for the Whaplode Drove-based side, Tatenda Chipunza, Liam Gallagher, Connor Howe, Hugo Lima, Corey Rose and substitute Michael Norris.

In stark contrast, Holbeach Bank were beaten 6-1 at home by Rippingale & Folkingham Reserves, Daniel Lowe grabbing a 70th minute consolation goal at Roman Bank.

There was better news for Long Sutton Athletic A in Division Four after a 3-0 win at Netherton United A.

Kian Penn, Kye Bunce and Vinny Mackie were the scorers for the double As at The Grange.

In Division 3, Tydd Reserves were on the wrong end of a 9-2 pasting by Wittering Premiair A.

Meanwhile, Holbeach United Sports were 3-0 winners over Parkside in their Division 2 clash at the Tigers' Community Sports Academy.

James Clark scored twice, two days ahead of a hat-trick for the under-18s in the FA Youth Cup, and substitute Luke Scampion was also on the mark for Sports.

But Long Sutton Athletic Reserves were less successful, going down 5-0 to Deeping Rangers Reserves at London Road where two of the goals came when Athletic players put through their own net.

A strong contender for PDFL game of the day last Saturday took place at Whaplode Drove's Elizabethan Centre where NECI let a 4-1 lead in the second half slip, drawing 4-4- with Stamford Belvedere in Division One.

Andy Cook, Daniel Ginty, Alex Pearson and Jon Kerrison scored for NECI who conceded an 87th minute equaliser.

NECI manager Antonio De Paolo said: "We were 1-1 at half-time, but probably deserved to be behind.

"Then we went 4-1 up before it got a bit crazy, with a goalkeeping error and a goalmouth scramble helping to make it 4-4.

"A lot of the goals were quite sloppy because both sides were lacking match fitness, so we're trying to build it up as we go along.

"The season has come round so quickly and with a bit of hindsight, we might have started pre-season a bit earlier.

"But having lost one of two players from last season, we've added three or four higher quality players, including an extra central midfielder who is a good addition to our squad."

Elsewhere, Crowland Town Reserves lost 1-0 at Oundle Town and Tydd lost 5-1 at Wittering Premiair, Chris Yaxley on the scoresheet for Tydd.

But Moulton Harrox Reserves beat Thorpe Wood Rangers 5-1, with goals from Jonny Clay, Andy Law, substitute Jamie Cartlidge and two for Josh McGuire.

There was also success for Pinchbeck United Reserves who beat Kings Cliffe 4-3 at Knight Street.

Two goals for Lee Jackson, plus one each for Miguel Abreu and Mario Vaz, gave the Knights' second string the win, despite conceding three goals in the first half.

Finally, in the Premier Division, newly-promoted Crowland Town opened their account with an impressive 3-0 win over Oakham United at Snowden Field.

Martin Sandall, Chris Winstanley and Jake Woodward were on target for Neil Colley's side.

"We had a lot of injuries to key players, yet we still managed to get a result," Colley said.

"The players did well in what was a close game, with not too much between the two sides to start with.

"But as the game went on, we dominated and should have scored more goals.

"We've brought players into the squad for both our first team and reserves, including Martin Sandall and Matt Cox from Peterborough Northern Star, who didn't play on Saturday.

"Martin's debut goal was a neat finish after an excellent through-ball from Stephen Wells who's been with us for a few seasons."

Holbeach United Reserves drew 1-1 with Peterborough North End Sports at Carter's Park where Joe Millinson scored for the home side.

However, Long Sutton Athletic were beaten 1-0 at Stilton United.

---

---