All Saints Kings Academy kicked off their North East Christian Football League campaign in the Andy Walker trophy against Bethany Houghton from Division Two. The game started at a frantic pace, with both teams obviously wanting to make a good start to the season, and against the run of play Bethany scored the opening goal. Their celebrations were short lived as All Saints hit back immediately when the instrumental Richie Robinson had a shot saved by the Bethany keeper only for Chris Trotter to smash the rebound into the back of the net. Some sloppy defending and some great counter attacking play gave Bethany Houghton two goals in quick succession just before the break, as the All Saints midfield and defence were stretched. Half-Time: All Saints 1 v 3 Bethany

The second half kicked off again at a rapid pace with All Saints having it all to do. After some harsh words from the manager at half time, the majority of the football was played in the Bethany half though Kings failed to capitalise on numerous chances early on. A combination of some tactical substitutions and some great passing work across the pitch culminated in All Saints second goal. The ball started in defence before making its way wide to Jamie Dunn who beat one man before laying the ball off to Richard Robinson, who hit it first time into the bottom corner. 3-2. The third seemed inevitable but the woodwork and some great goalkeeping kept Bethany ahead as Aaron Bennett hit the post, and more attacks seemed to go begging. With 10 minutes to go All Saints received a free-kick wide on the left which was whipped in by Richard Robinson and powered home with a header by Stephen Farish. The last moments of the match were nervous for both teams to say the least but All Saints completed their remarkable comeback after Jamie Dunn won a header from a Bethany goal kick for super-sub Michael Farish to sprint through and (after a mistake by the goalkeeper) tap the ball into an empty net with only 2 minutes remaining, to give All Saints a vital win.