WARRINGTON-BORN footballer David Brooks is celebrating scoring his first ever Premier League goal.

The 21-year-old struck AFC Bournemouth’s opener in last night’s 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at the Vitality Stadium.

Brooks gave the Cherries the perfect start as he curled a left-footed effort in off the crossbar in the fifth minute.

It caps an excellent start to life in the top flight for Brooks, who has been a key player in Eddie Howe’s side since his £11.5million move from Sheffield United in the summer.

He has also made two appearances for Wales in their UEFA Nations League games against Ireland and Denmark this campaign.

Warrington Guardian:

David Brooks celebrates his goal against Crystal Palace with Bournemouth teammates Josh King and Simon Francis. Picture by Nigel French/PA Wire

Elsewhere, there have been mixed starts to the season for Warrington’s other professional footballers.

It’s fair to say that Longford-born Jesse Lingard has not hit the heights of previous seasons yet as he attempts to build up form following a pre-season injury.

The attacking midfielder missed Manchester United’s season opener against Leicester and has been used sparingly by Jose Mourinho this term, appearing off the bench against Brighton and being substituted at Burnley, Watford and most recently in a disappointing penalties defeat at home to Derby in the Carabao Cup.

Huddersfield Town captain Tommy Smith has found game time limited this campaign, with the defender only making two appearances away at Manchester City and at Stoke.

After not making an appearance for Everton so far this season, ex-Matthiola and Warrington Schoolboys defender Matt Pennington has been loaned out to Ipswich Town, where he has made five starts.

Great Sankey’s Pennington had a distinctly mixed afternoon on Saturday as he scored the Tractor Boys’ second goal but was later sent off in their 2-2 draw at Birmingham City.

After firmly establishing himself in the Bristol City team last season, former Birchwood High student Josh Brownhill has begun the new season in the same fashion, playing 90 minutes in all 10 of the Robins’ Championship matches and scoring in Friday’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.

On the other side that night was another former Birchwood pupil in James Chester, who has played every minute of the Birmingham club’s 10 Championship games this season as well as appearing for Wales in their 2-0 UEFA Nations League defeat to Denmark.

And another ex-Birchwood student, Jordan Thorniley, son of former Warrington Wolves centre Tony, made his eighth appearance of the season for Sheffield Wednesday in what was his first Yorkshire derby versus Leeds United on Friday. He started his football at Rope & Anchor JFC.

Former St Gregory’s pupil Adam Davies – an old teammate of Brownhill’s at Barnsley – has been in fine form in goal for the Tykes so far this season, contributing five clean sheets in this year’s League One campaign.

Two more Warrington-born players are also operating in League One – Peterborough United’s George Cooper and Rochdale’s Jordan Williams – but both have only appeared sporadically.

By Nathan Okell