NEWLY-PROMOTED Spennymoor Thorns have taken to the First Division like a duck to water - having won three of their first four League games.

Thorns, Division Two champions last year, opened their Division One account with a 6-1 win over Eldon Lane.

And although they were beaten by champions New Masons last Tuesday, they quickly bounced back with a 7-2 win over the Grand last Sunday, followed by a 2-0 win over Lakeside on Tuesday this week.

"We're delighted with our start," said Thorns manager Dave McWaters. "We've improved our squad over the summer, bringing in a number of new players to bolster the squad. We knew that we had to do that when moving up to the First Division, and we feel we're a better team for it."

New signings Anthony Stewart and Mark Russell were both on the scoresheet to condemn Lakeside to a 2-0 defeat on Tuesday.

"I thought we played very well," said McWaters. "We knew Lakeside were a good side and we were really up for it - I thought we played some nice football and deserved the win."

Lakeside manager Stuart Hodgson said: "I was disappointed with our performance, but we had some chances in the first half which, if converted, could have had an impact on the final result. But taking nothing away from Thorns, who are a very good footballing side and I'm sure will be at the top, or thereabouts, at the end of the season."

Elsewhere in Division One, a topsy-turvy start to the season for most clubs has sliced through the title chase - creating an exciting, open race already.

New Masons, Newton Aycliffe, Old Shildon, Lakeside and Thorns - thought to be the title-chasers - have ALL dropped points already.

It leaves the championship race, which is albeit at a very early stage, in an interesting position, with unbeaten Brandon top after winning two and drawing one.

Meanwhile, Cumby Arms are enjoying a new lease of life in Division Two after putting together some fine results.

Cumby recorded a 7-6 derby win over Horndale in their first game of the season last Thursday, with Steve Fawcett (3), Russell Cant (2), Michael Hannon and Andrew Metcalf all getting on the scoresheet.

Cumby followed that up with a 2-1 home win over Eldon Arms last Sunday - John Fleming and Russell Cant scoring the goals.

Manager David Taylor is hopeful his side - boosted with a number of new signings in the summer - can improve on last season.

"The signs are very promising," he said. "The Horndale game was a very difficult encounter for us, especially as it was a derby, but I thought we stuck to our guns and played very well.

"It's been a disappointing few seasons for us but we're hoping to improve on that by achieving a top-half position at the least."

l The League is due to hold its September meeting on Wednesday 4. Usual time and place - Spennymoor United Clubhouse, Brewery Field, 8pm.

Results round-up - Tuesday, August 20: Division One: Beehive 4, Loves 4; Brandon 4, Eldon Lane 1; Tudhoe Utd 3, Grand 1; Binchester SC 2, Lakeside 4; Thorns 2, New Masons 4; Old Shildon 1, Newton Aycliffe 3.

Thursday, August 22: Division Two: Victoria 2, Binchester Hotel 0; Masons Utd 5, Boot & Shoe 1; North Briton 3, Eldon Arms 1; Shildon Athletic 2, Green Tree 0; Cumby Arms 7, Horndale 6.

Sunday, August 25: Division One: Brandon 3, Salvins 2; Tudhoe Utd 1, Loves 2; Binchester SC 2, Eldon Lane 1; Thorns 7, Grand 2; Old Shildon 3, Lakeisde 0.

Division Two: Masons Utd 0, Postchaise 0; Two Blues 3, Binchester Hotel 5; North Briton 6, Boot & Shoe 1; Shildon Athletic 1, Brawns Den 8; Cumby Arms 2, Eldon Arms 1; Horndale 3, Green Tree 3.