The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League

Result of the day came with Goodfellas from the third division taking on first division Brinkburn Wanderers and progressing to the second round with a fantastic performance against their rivals, improving on their record of almost five months since they have been defeated and has seen them grow in confidence and stature from the start of the season.

The home side went 1-0 down after a free kick from Steve Charlton found the Goodfellas net after only five minutes, the response was quick with Emrys Sheldon firing a shot home from close range to level the scores after 15 minutes. Marc Addy the put the home side 2-1 up with an excellent drive into the bottom corner of the visitors' net just past the half hour mark, better was to come for the home side as Mark Corry made it 3-1 when he struck a shot from the edge of the box just before the break. The second 45 minutes saw Goodfellas keep the pressure on and it was Karl Christie who slotted home the fourth from close range ten minutes into the second half before Sheldon netted his second to make the score 5-1. Brinkburn pulled a goal back when Charlton claimed his second goal of the game with a shot from the edge of the box to make the score 5-2. There was only going to be one winner and Christie rounded off a man of the match performance with his second and Goodfellas sixth with the goal of the game a stunning shot from a tight angle with 78 minutes. Goodfellas saw out the remaining minutes of the game to record a 6-2 victory.

A clash of two first division sides saw Killinghall Arms play hosts to Nestfield. In difficult conditions both teams played entertaining football from the first whistle and with chances going begging at each end of the pitch it was Sean Rochford who broke the deadlock with a goal for the home side. The game was end to end with both defences holding the upper hand, Killie than had to re-arrange their defence after an injury to Mark Churchman, they stood firm until Kevin Baines found the back of the net for Nestfield, to take the teams into the break level at 1-1. The second half was much the same, but with Nestfield showing more determination they were rewarded with a goal from Kevin Weir. Once again injury struck the Killie defence when key man Simon Rodgers was forced to leave the field. The home side put up a brave fight but were out gunned by Nestfield who went on to net a further three goals through Gary Mitchell, Martin Smith and a second for Weir, which was a little harsh on the home side, who played their part in an excellent game.

Third division Newton Cap played hosts to second division FRA Mowden and it was the visitors who progressed through to the second round with a 7-2 victory while third division AFC Aruba had to contend with first division AFC Brinkburn and with the scores level at 2-2 after 90 minutes the tie went into extra time. The 30 minutes could not produce a winner - but after a penalty shoot out it was the first division side who went into the second round.

In the only game to take place in division one, East End visited Spaire RA and came away with all three points in a game the home side were unlucky not to take a point. Darren Kokes opened the scoring for Spaire but the visitors drew level before the break when Steven Johnson ran on to a through ball to find the back of the net. The second half saw the home side created chances but the inability to put the ball in the net proved costly for them, when Johnson ran onto a clearance out of defence from a Spaire corner, the East End front man showed how to finish and claimed the victory for the visitors.

The second division's bottom side Copper Beech recorded their first points of the season with a 2-0 victory away to Berlins. After the first 45 minutes which saw neither side find the net, the second half saw the conditions favour the Beech and they stepped up a gear and went 2-0 up with two goals from Kevin Myers, it was only a fine display in the Berlins goal by man of the match Neil Atkinson which kept the score down, but he could not prevent three welcome points for the Copper Beech.

The Royal British Legion also claimed all the points against Hole In The Wall, with a 3-1 victory, Martin Baird, Trevor Cooke and Martin Scott were all on target for the home side, with Dave Hughes replying for the visitors.

Leaders Cleveland Bridge got the better of a Northern Echo side who matched the division's top team during the first 45 minutes, and were unlucky to go into the break 3-2 down, but in a very competitive game Cleveland proved too strong for their visitors. Bridge took their chances well and some excellent finishing saw them score another three goals in the second half. Danny Chapman, Jon Banks, Stu Hardy, Dave Hubble and a double strike from Wayne Buckley all got their names on the scoresheet.

An impressive man of the match performance from Dean Whinfield in the Bridge goal saw the Echo limited to a Graeme Bainbridge double in reply. Pepper Draughting Services ended Middleton St. Georges' 100 per cent record with a 3-0 victory, in a game between two of the top three sides.

Peacocks Pub Company turned in an impressive performance to record a 7-0 victory over visitors Smurfit. Centre half Carl Bozeate opened the scoring with a bullet header from a well worked corner. Paul Hope doubled the lead when he fired home, despite the defenders best efforts to keep it out. Hope soon notched his second and Peacocks third when he lobbed the keeper from the edge ofthe box with a cool finish. The home side were in total control and missed chance after chance. Gary Dent - captain against his old side - was presented with a superb chance to score when he stepped forward to take a spot kick - the penalty was won after some superb work from Max Ripley. The skipper then saw his effort well saved by Trev Ford in the visitors goal. Martin Hogg then got his name on the scoresheet for the game's fourth goal, a good finish after some good build up play. Michael Bland then added a fifth with an excellent chip over an on rushing Ford. Just before the break Steven Lambert made it six from another well worked corner kick. With the game won before half time Peacocks eased off in the second 45 minutes, but sub Michael Weston notched against his old club to complete and excellent display by Peacocks.

Division three saw MN All Starts continue their impressive first season in the league with a 2-1 victory away at the improving Smith and Allan. Chris Holiday, found the net for the home side, but it was not enough as Mike Lea and Martin Sturgeon made the points secure for the visitors. The Royal Oak visited Drinkfield and came away with all the points after a 2-1 victory. Sherwoods played hosts to the Fighting Cocks but it was the visitors who claimed victory with an impressive 4-1 win.

Haughton played Axa and both teams put on a good show in difficult conditions, Haughton did all the early pressing and got their rewards when Paul Cooper struck a fine dipping shot from 30 yards which nestled in the back of the net.

Axa tried hard to get into the game but for all their efforts could not break down the Haughton defence. Therefore it was no surprise when good work down the right from man of the match Andy McLeod resulted in a second Haughton goal, with his cross being defected into the net via the head of Axa's unfortunate Chris Elliott. After the break Axa continued to push forward trying to get a breakthrough but the home side's defence stood firm until 15 minutes from time when Axa were awarded a penalty however, Alan Percival wasted the opportunity to get his side back into the game by as keeper Neil I'Anson saved the spot-kick. In the dying minutes Haughton were awarded a free kick 35 yards from goal and it was McLeod who struck a fierce shot which swerved over the wall and into the roof of the net to make the final score 3-0 to Haughton.