TREBLE-WINNING The Wanderers inflicted an opening day 4-3 defeat over tenman South Newton, but it came at the expense of losing influential skipper Andrew Duffy to a dislocated elbow.

Duffy was rushed to hospital in the second half following a badly timed challenge, which resulted in Newton player Dan Winters, on his debut, being flashed a red card.

The numerical advantage had no influence in the way the first half shaped up, as The Wanderers’ rip-roaring display saw them sail into a three-nil ascendancy.

Duffy got the defending champions up-and-running after converting a fizzing cross, and their lead was doubled moments later when Ben Coveney was first to react to a corner scramble.

And then Nick Newman, who has been nursing an injury since March and has been on the sidelines, made it 3-0 11 minutes before the interval.

The hosts came out refreshed in the second half and pulled one back from Charlie Blake. But the threegoal cushion was regained when Duffy landed in a heap after being impeded by Winters, and Tim Fewins made it goal number four.

At that scoreline, the game started to peter out but two goals from Newton’s newboys Charlie Lee and Billy Poole created a dramatic ending.

The Wanderers manager Liam McConnell said: “It was about getting the three points.”

“I said to the lads I didn't care how we get them, this is a new young South Newton side who will do some damage, especially at home.

“We were brilliant in that first half and showed what we are all about. The new boys settled in well and it was pleasing to see Newman returning.”

“Andrew has been superb for us and I feel for him as he'll be out for some weeks now.

“It was a real blow but these lads will keep moving forward together.”