The new Canada Life Premier League season burst into life on Saturday afternoon, with five games taking place across the island.

Those impressing in the 2018-19 campaign’s opening weekend make it into the first Team of the Week of the term.

Corinthians were the big winners on mathday one, beating St John’s 6-1 at Mullen-e-Cloie.

Dan Simpson netted a brace for the Whites to help earn his first TotW stripes of the season.

Simpson’s Ballafletcher club-mates Fraser Vaughan and Ryan Burns also slot into the line-up after impressing in the win over the Saints who finished with 10 men.

Vaughan shone in midfield in just his second competitive outing for Danny McMahon’s team since a summer switch from Laxey.

Burns underlined his versatility with a solid showing at centre back as Corinthians rocketed to the top of the fledgling standings.

Joining the fleet-footed Simpson in the attacking third is Peel stalwart Kerron Christian.

The utility man grabbed a hat-trick as the westerners opened their title bid with a 4-1 win over Douglas Royal at Douglas Road.

Vaughan occupies a five-man midfield alongside Rushen’s Matty Cain, St Mary’s summer signing Jack McVey, Douglas Athletic’s Ste Cowan and St George’s youngster Sid Batty.

Cain revelled in a central midfield role, bagging a goal and the Man of the Match honours as United beat southern rivals Castletown 3-0.

McVey also impressed in the middle of the park for new club Mary’s netting a fine free-kick to earn his side a point on his league debut against former club St George’s.

McVey arguably could have landed all three points for his side, but a second goal from another free-kick was harshly ruled out by referee David Murphy.

Also catching the eye in the 1-1 draw at the Bowl, was Geordies youngster Sid Batty who performed well in the new-look Glencrutchery Road side’s engine room, and St Mary’s keeper Kiril Velev - both make it into the side.

Douglas Athletic and Cowan got their season off to a fine start with a battling 3-2 win over DHSOB at Springfield Road.

Cowan’s team-mate Drew Ward also impressed in that match against his former club to complete a back three with Burns and Peel new boy Luke Doherty.

Ward also bagged a goal in the narrow victory, while limiting the Old Boys’ attack to two goals.

Doherty, who switched to the Peel from Old Boys in the transfer window, shone alongside fellow Peel deubutant Eric Kelly in the westerners’ defence as they beat Royal 4-1.

Claiming the first Referee of the Week honours of the season is John McCallum who had a good game with the whistle as St John’s faced Corinthians in the west.

Team of the Week (18/08/18)

Goalkeeper: Kirl Velev (St Mary’s)

Defence: Luke Doherty (Peel)

Ryan Burns (Corinthians)

Drew Ward (Douglas Athletic)

Midfield:

Ste Cowan (Douglas Athletic)

Jack McVey (St Mary’s)

Sid Batty (St George’s)

Fraser Vaughan (Corinthians)

Matty Cain (Rushen United)

Attack: Dan Simpson (Corinthians)

Kerron Christian (Peel)

Referee:

John McCallum (St John’s v Corinthians)