Hebburn Town made the perfect start to life in Step 3 of the Pitching In NPL, as Olly Martin’s first half strike was enough to see off Warrington Rylands on Saturday afternoon.

Daniel Moore made five changes from the final pre-season victory against Blyth Spartans. Kieran Hunter, Aidan Heywood, Jack Donaghy, Arron Thompson and Olly Martin all returned to a strong Hornets side.

Hebburn started much better than their opponents, as the players were feeding off the buzz from playing at this level for the first time in their history, and their first chance of the game came in the third minute. Liam Noble whipped in a set-piece, but Rylands goalkeeper Luke Pilling plucked the ball out of the air under no pressure. Noble then struck an effort wide just two minutes later, a first proper sighting on the visitors’ goal.

The Hornets continued their early dominance as Robbie Spence floated a ball over to Martin on the right-hand side, he then drove towards goal and unleashed a rasping shot that was destined for the top corner, but Pilling made a great fingertip save.

The Blues' first opportunity came in the eleventh minute. Sam Burns found space on the edge of the box and advanced into the penalty area, but his shot was collected by Hunter. There was then a stoppage to the game as Rylands’ Clive Smith pulled up in his own half with a knock.

The Hornets continued to knock on the door for an opening goal. Joe Posthill drove down the wing, he played a pass to Heywood, the defender then attempted to cut inside and shoot but his effort was blocked.

Hebburn finally found their opener in the nineteenth minute and yet again, Posthill was at the forefront of it. The winger delivered a first-class pass into Martin and the forward was able to poke home into the bottom corner to give his side a deserved lead.

The Hornets first ever goal at Step 3, a historic moment.

Michael Turner picked up the first booking of the game in the twenty-fifth minute for a foul. Burns stepped up for the free-kick, but he fired straight into the wall and the ball was cleared by Donaghy.

Liam Noble was then on the end of a stamp by Rylands midfielder Liam Morris, and the latter was shown his marching orders by the referee. The straight red card forced the visitors into a first change, Dana Amaral replaced Jake Burton.

In the thirty-first minute, Hebburn were then awarded a free kick after the defender was cautioned for handball. Noble stepped up from twenty-five yards and whipped the ball towards the far bottom-right corner, but Pilling made no mistake in getting down to palm away for a corner. The following corner from Noble came to no avail.

Ntumba Massanka then thought to have beat the offside trap but the referee brought the game to a halt and the offside flag was raised, much to the Rylands’ despair.

Another strong challenge arrived from the Blues and Dean Furman was the next player to be issued a booking.

Just before the break, Spence was inches away from doubling the Hornets advantage. Heads were flying in and the ball was in the air for quite some time before Spence adjusted his body to let off an overhead kick that sailed just wide of the post. The referee then called for half-time after an action-packed first half of the new season.

Rylands opted for a half-time change as Dylan Dwyer entered the pitch in place of Ben Hardcastle. A chance for the visitors to equalise came in the fifty-third minute as Burns fired well wide of Hunter’s far post.

Heywood then had the opportunity to drive forward from deep and found Posthill, but the attempted cross was swept up by the goalkeeper.

A first booking for the Hornets was shown to Joe Walton on the hour mark following a late tackle, offering a good free-kick opportunity for Rylands on the edge of the box. Dwyer took the free-kick and fired under the wall, but his shot rolled straight into Hunter’s gloves.

In the sixty-sixth minute, Amar Purewal chased down a long ball from Noble and lobbed Pilling, but the defender raced back to clear off the line for a corner. The Hornets were inches away from extending their nervy lead against ten-men.

Both managers then decided it was the right time for fresh legs. First, Moore opted for Liam Murray to replace Spence and as for Mark Duffy, he decided to replace Ben Hough with James Baillie.

Murray made an instant impact from the bench as his shot deflected wide to win a corner. From the resulting corner, the hosts nearly found a second goal. Noble delivered towards the head of Purewal but his attempt was cleared off the line.

In the seventy-sixth minute, another booking came as Martin was penalised for stopping
a counter attack, pulling back the attacker in the process. Taking one for the team, some would say.

Another set of changes then arrived shortly after. Firstly, for the Hornets, new signing Bailey Adamson replaced Purewal and for Rylands, Cameron Rooney replaced Massanka. Adamson arrived onto the pitch eager to make a difference and struck low from twenty yards but dragged his shot wide.

Hebburn were pushing for the much- needed second goal to ease the nerves when Posthill drove forward from deep inside his own half, he whipped in a dangerous cross that looked to have been looping into the far-right corner,
but Pilling was there again to poke the ball away for a corner. If it wasn’t for the Rylands goalkeeper, Hebburn would’ve been out of sight.

The visitors' final change arrived in the eighty-eighth minute as Burns was replaced by Luke Porter. Noble made way for Leo Robinson for the Hornets.

After a lengthy six minutes of stoppage time, the referee blew his whistle to signal an end to the game. A historic afternoon for Hebburn who claimed an impressive victory over last season's play-off finishers. Hopefully, a sign of things to come.

Next up, it’s a quick turnaround for the Hornets as they travel to Croft Park to face neighbours Blyth Spartans on Tuesday night.

By Dan Carlton