The Huntsman continued their 100% start to the season with a hard fought 2-1 victory over Tompkins of Darlington. Huntsman are now 5 points clear at the top of the Darlington Sunday Invitation League 2 having played a game more than close rivals Newton Aycliffe Sports Club.
The Huntsman travelled to unbeaten Tompkins expecting a tough game and tough game was exactly what they got. Manager Neil Dodds made a couple of changes from the side which beat Green Dragon 4-1 the week previous with Shaun Mackintosh, Carl Bates, Callum Musgrave and Anthony Brockley all coming into the side. Calum Farley and Ryan Durr dropped to the bench while Steven Williams, and David Neale were unavailable.
Tompkins started the game brightly and took a 1-0 lead on 5 minutes after a mistake from Callum Musgrave in the centre of defence, it took the Huntsman about 15 minutes before they came to terms with the swirling wind and horrendous pitch.
Ollie Gell played a delightful cross field ball into the path of Michael Sproates who controlled in an instant and slammed the ball in to the net to bring the league leaders level.
The half ebbed and flowed without any decent football being played although the Huntsman edged the possession without making any headway.
Half time saw the teams go in level. The second half started as the first half ended. The referee stopping and starting the game for niggly fouls but the Huntsman goal was never threatened.
On 60 minutes Huntsman were awarded a penalty when Jamie Herd raced clear but was brought down by the Tompkins defender who was red carded. Herd dusted himself down and slotted home the penalty for his 11 goal of the season. The game petered out with Huntsman defence holding firm while chances came and went at the other end.  Captain Lee Redpath was awarded man of the match.
Team: N. Dodds; C. Bates, M. Percival, C. Musgrave, S. Mackintosh; M. Sproates, L. Redpath, A. Brockley, O. Gell; J. Herd, S. Sproates. Subs C. Farley, R. Durr, A. Richardson, B. Richardson, K. Dodds.
Huntsman play their home games at Simpasture Park games kicking off 10.30 am on a Sunday morning. Their next game is away to Tompkins in the League Cup on September 28th.
The next home game is October 6th against Haughton Grey Horse in the Heart Foundation Cup.