Walshaw SC 4, Tintwistle 0 Manchester League Division One.

WALSHAW kicked off their season at Sycamore Road with a fine victory over Tintwistle.

The league leaders made one change from the previous week when they welcomed back influential defender Mark Stewart after his cricket duties at Greenmount.

The game was a one-sided affair with the home side's bossing proceeding from start to finish with keeper Simon Marsh a virtual spectator for much of the game.

Walshaw took the lead after ten minutes when Ellis got free from his marker and set up Davies, who scored with a cross shot that went in off the far post.

After 20 minutes, Walshaw doubled their lead when a bad mistake by the visitors' goalkeeper allowed Ellis a simple tap-in.

For the rest of the first half, Walshaw pummelled the visitors without getting any further goals. After the break, it was business as usual and, within five minutes, the game was wrapped up as a contest when Sharples wriggled free of his marker and slid a shot under the keeper to make it 3-0.

After 60 minutes, Walshaw scored again when an excellent move led to Davies squaring the ball for Mike Wilkinson to side foot a volley into the roof of the net.

Chances came and went for the remaining half hour and another penalty miss from Wilkinson was the closest the home side came to increasing their advantage.

This week Walshaw travel to second placed Manchester Juniors, kick off 2.30pm.

l The club received the sad news this week that groundsman and founder member Alan Haworth has passed away. Alan will be sorely missed by all at Walshaw Sports Club.