Redmonds FC 3

Bridge Timber FC 7

BRIDGE Timber got off to a flying start with an emphatic 7-3 victory against a spirited Redmonds team who for the first 10 minutes were by far the better side.

In the 18th minute Karl Thomas was put through by Gary Vaughan and was tripped up in the box to give Timber a penalty.

Thomas brushed himself down and coolly slotted home sending the keeper the wrong way for 1-0.

Redmonds bounced straight back with a Robbie Cosgrove penalty when he was brought down just inside the box and even with Stu Kirby's full length dive, the power carried it home for 1-1.

Robbie Cosgrove gave Redmonds the lead with an angled drive and in the 28th minute Richie Jones's fine run ended with Karl Thomas smashing home for 2-2.

Bridge Timber then got a half time roasting from manager Alan Cunningham and it certainly did the trick when Neil Larkin's fine one-two with Karl Thomas split open the Redmonds' defence and Liam Sweeney looked up and fired a 25 yard screamer to give Timber the lead.

Ronnie McGowan's accurate corner brought the fourth when Karl Thomas tapped home for his hat trick and a two-goal cushion.

Redmonds were awarded another penalty and Cosgrove found the same corner with Kirby just unable to keep it out.

Good movement and teamwork between Jacques, Larkin and McGowan was rewarded when Karl Thomas headed down for Dave Tierney to thunder a left foot volley to keep Timber ahead.

And Ged Wells' neat one-two with Thomas set up Liam Sweeney to skip round three defenders and strike home before the rout ended with Sweeney getting his hat trick in the closing stages with a well taken goal to make the final score 7-3.

Timber's man of the match was Neil Larkin who had a fine league debut in centre midfield.