BILLINGE claimed the bragging rights in their first derby game of the season when they beat Wigan-based Winstanley Warriors 5-1 on Saturday.

While the scoreline may have flattered The Storks somewhat it shows that if you defend well all over the pitch and take your chances then you will have a good chance of winning football matches.

The result made it three wins out of three for the Billingers and puts them on top of the Cheshire Football League Premier Division.

However it could have been so different as The Storks' keeper Kai McAlister pulled off a wonder save to deny Jamie Roberts in the first minute.

Billinge composed themselves and four minutes later were ahead.

Tom Douglas did well out wide on the left and put a cross into the box that fell at the feet of Marios Avraam who drilled the ball home from eight yards.

The Storks were now dominating play and on 20 minutes doubled their lead as Rob Lamont played in Richie Allen whose effort was pushed around for a corner by Warriors custodian Ben Rosser.

Douglas took the corner, Lamont hooked it on and Allen got in front of his man to head home a brilliant goal.

To the watching crowd it appeared that The Storks would push on but the young Winstanley team settled down, played some lovely football, dominated the remainder of the half and were rewarded with a goal on the half-hour mark when Brendan Booth rounded McAlister to finish off an excellent move.

It looked to all the world that Warriors would press on for the equaliser but The Storks defended well and by half-time had edged back into the game with Ben Jacobson going close from a corner, Jason McShane firing just over from distance before Zak Riley headed wide.

The second period was much better from Billinge and they should have restored their two-goal advantage on 53 minutes when Douglas skinned his full-back and crossed to Avraam who, with the net wide open, somehow fired wide.

The Storks were almost paid to pay for this error as Nial Dawson had to twice clear the ball off the line following a Winstanley corner.

On the hour mark Lamont had a huge claim for a penalty when he appeared to be upended in the area, only for the referee, Tom O'Brien, to wave play on.

Billinge were now dominating possession and, on 72 minutes, when Rosser was unable to deal with a wicked in-swinging corner from Douglas, Jacobson pounced and stabbed the ball home from a foot to score his first goal - and make it 3-1 - for The Storks.

Three minutes later Billinge full-back Joe Andrews drove forward and as he was given plenty of room was able t unleash a shot from just outside the box.

Unfortunately for the Warriors keeper Rosser the ball took a wicked deflection and nestled in the bottom of the net.

It was now one-way traffic as the visitors heads dropped, and it was no surprise when The Storks made it five to wrap up the match with five minutes remaining.

Substitute Harvey Lambert - who moments earlier had an excellent long-range shot saved - found himself in acres of space on the left and whipped in a perfect cross for fellow sub Lewis Jones to get across his man and superbly head home.

It was a convincing victory but Billinge manager Wayne Wardle wasn't entirely happy with his charges after the match saying: "I thought we were terrible for 25 minutes or so in the first-half and I had a right go at them in the break.

"Their response was excellent, we were happy with how the subs influenced the game and we'll enjoy the win.

"It's nice to get off to such a good start but we've still lots in the tank and plenty to work on and I'm looking forward to working with the lads in training."

Visiting manager Jez Neild was less happy saying: "For the second week on the run I feel like the scoreline didn't reflect the game.

"But Billinge have a good set of lads and the pitch was perfect, so we can take heart that we've played well away from home against two of the strongest teams in the division."

Next week Billinge travel to Congleton to take on Congleton Town Reserves in a 2pm kick-off.

Meanwhile Billinge Reserves fell to their second narrow defeat losing 3-2 at Vulcan in a spicy encounter.

Jordan Alty and Liam Fitzgerald - with a "worldie" were the goalscorers for The Storks but manager David Lawrenson was not pleased with the final result and performance.

"I'm unhappy that the lads got drawn in by Vulcan's long ball and basic tactics.

"We just need to play football the way it should be played, and our skill and tactics will beat most sides.

"That said it's easy for me to say that as I'm on the touchline and not the ones being kicked all game."