First game of the season and everyone at the club wants a good start. The weather was perfect, the team was picked and the game began. Within a few minutes it was obvious that Horden was the more determined of the teams when Roy Allen shot over the bar. Horden were on fire and attacked the Sunderland RCA goal at every opportunity. Chekoni Egbe was next to try a shot in the 25th minute and six minutes later Darren Atkinson took a throw in. The ball was returned to him and he sent a perfect pass to Nicky Martin to head the ball goalwards. The keeper was alert enough to parry the ball only to see it land perfectly at the feet of Roy Allen who made no mistake in scoring Horden's first goal of the season on the half hour. A couple of minutes later Kevin Duggan had a long shot go wide followed later by a similar effort from Sean Joseph. Just before half time Alan Hoey, who had come on in place of Sean Joseph, shot straight to goal only to see his attempt blocked by Roy Allen.

The second half was more difficult for the home side and they seemed unable to cope with the constant efforts of Sunderland RCA to equalise. The 49th minute saw Nicki Martin's header rebound to poacher Roy Allen who slotted home. Both Craig Ellis and Chekoni Egbe had chances but the score remained at 2-0 until the visitors were fortunate to take advantage of an own goal.

Horden emerged the victors but for much of the second half they were defending and there was always the possibility of an equaliser. The whistle finally went and Horden claimed the three points but many would agree that they will have to tighten up at the back as there will be harder games than this before next May.