Winstons faced a substantially revamped and reputedly strengthened Mill View side at Centurion Park in the first league game of the season. Winstons were perhaps somewhat weakened by the absences of Barkas and Hughes, but Liddle's return in central defence released Duncan Brown to play alongside Steven Taylor in central midfield and preserve some continuity to the shape of the team.

Mill View took the initiative from the off demonstrating speed of movement and acccuracy of passing but Winstons held firm and retained their foothold in the game. On 15 minutes Arnott fed Shilton on the left. He in turn beat two men before cutting the ball back to Duncan Brown whose low long range shot was deflected for a corner. From the corner Arnott's goal bound shot was cleared off the line by Mill View.. Brown got in another low long range shot shortly afterwards, but again.was foiled by a timely block. Mill View then struck the Winstons cross bar with a superb effort from distance, The ball rebounded to an onrushing Mill View player but Hall smothered the ball at his feet

An evenly contested first half saw the teams turn round at 0-0.

Shortly after resumption of play Arnott was forced to leave the pitch with tight hamstrings to be replaced by Chris "Glider" Richardson, who soon combined well with Charlton whose shot cleared the cross bar. Further changes saw Maddison come on at right back and Nylander at left back, replacing Nelson and Shaw respectively. The tempo of the game was high and perhaps not adjusting sufficiently quickly to this, Maddison was hesitant in dealing with a ball over the top when facing his own goal. Only Hall's speed out of his area and his crushing tackle on Clifton Thompson fprevented the latter from capitalising for Mill View. Further chances fell to Winstons in this absorbing game of cut and thrust, with first Charlton shooting wide and then Taylor (pictured) losing his composure in front of goal in blasting the ball over the crossbar when he had time and space to score. Cusack who had replaced Hall in goal was handling the ball confidently and he prevented Winstons from falling behind by coming out of goal to make a superb instinctive save to his right.

Both teams will have been disappointed not to have taken all three points but equally relieved not to have been beaten. Both teams will also be disappointed not to have scored, but it would be premature to express concern as they both created chances. It will be surprising if both teams are not challenging for the title towards the end of the season. Although it is a rarity for Winstons not to score, Winstons defence and their central defensive partnership of Liddle and Wrightson in particular will take great pride in the preservation of a rare clean sheet.

Full time score 0-0

Wallsend Winstons: Hall; Nelson, Wrightson, Liddle, Shaw; Pooley, Taylor, Brown(Duncan), Shilton; Charlton, Arnott
Winstons Substitutes: Cairns, Maddison, Nylander, Richardson
Winstons Man of the Match; Taylor
Mill View: Holiday; Scott(Steven), Hopkins, Naughton, Scott(Rob); Kirk, Hodgson(Gary), Hodgson(Ashley),Thompson; Hodgson; Duncan
Mill View Subs: Cairns, Hall,Snowdon
Mill View Man of the Match: Thompson

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