In the match of the day Grange Villa WMC played Stanley Royal with both sides level on top of the table.

The Villa found themselves in front by the odd goal in five at the break before the Royal transformed the match and rattled in five unanswered goals to record a 7-3 win.

It looked good for the Villa when those first half strikes from Andrew Clarke and Barry Ward gave them the upper hand.

However the Royal showed how they lifted the championship last season by upping the tempo, and Mark Patterson destroyed the home side with a four-goal haul with the others netted by Bran Nelson, Scott Moat and striker Kraig Wilkinson.

South Moor Sports took on Pelton Crown Inn and won 5-2 to lift themselves into second position. Goals from David Craig (2), Anthony Sterling, Alan Mills, and Peter Blackburn did the trick for the Sports, with David Cooper and Stephen Cameron replying for the Crown.

Low Fell Jolly Miller played Stanley Masons Arms SC and ran out comfortable winners by 5-1 - a win that takes Low Fell into fourth place in the league.

The star of the show was John Robinson who struck an excellent hat-trick with Michael Jenkins also on the mark with new signing Mark Stevenson while Ty Swann replied for the Masons.

Stanley RAFA had a good win over a spirited Gateshead Black Bull in a game of good football by both teams.

The RAFA found themselves with a two goal advantage at half time thanks to two penalties and then doubled that tally to 4-0 lead before the Black Bull managed a last minute consolation from Graham Wilkinson.

The highlight of the RAFA's goals was a hat-trick from Stephen Burdis which included two penalties and a Lewis Carr Slones goal to lift the RAFA off the bottom of the table.

Stanley Aged Miners Cup

THERE'S just no holding Lee Innes as Blackhill Comrades continue to pile up the goals. For the second week running he struck five goals with Second Division Plainsman on the receiving in an 8-0 rout that also produced strikes from Chris McGinn, Andrew Westgarth and Paul Sawyer.

Chopwell edged out Burgoynnes by the odd goal in seven while Stanley Central had few problems in beating the Highwayman 4-0 with goals from Simon Purcell, Richard Waugh, Martin Telford and a Steve Nixon penalty. Lanchester Social sent Shaftoes to a 6-2 defeat and a late goal from Daniel Craggs earned Leadgate Golden Lion extra-time at Second Division Black Horse. He then grabbed the winner and that after Chris Convery's strike had looked like being enough for the hosts.

Consett Sunday League

HAMSTEELS have finally won their first league encounter to open their Third Division account.

Either way one unwanted record had to go as neither Hamsteels or home side Cronniwell had managed a victory between them.

And it was Hamsteels who took the honours 3-1 with goals from Andrew Rowland, Steve Hutchinson and John Colt with Steve Smith replying for the Westwood side.

Two goals from Graham Muirhead failed to save Medomsley Miners who went down 4-2 at home to the Freemasons. Chris Dawson replied with two goals and Paul Bolton and Mark Kirkpatrick accounted for the other two.

John Shaw was in devastating form for Delves United with a stunning six goals in a 9-1 home success over the Duke of Wellington while in the derby encounter the Horse & Groom beat the Smelters by the odd goal in five.

There was one game in Division One and it produced a 3-2 away success for Blackhall Mill away to the struggling Annfield Plain CC.

Abbey Trophy

CONSETT Black Horse are through to the semi-finals following an impressive showing at the Bute Arms.

It turned out to be a runaway 7-0 success that produced doubles for John Bridge, Alex Atkinson and John Gill with the other netted by Stephen Bell.

Consett Charity Cup

IT'S been a miserable few seasons in the league for one time force - Burnhope Ivy Leaf Club.

The have dropped steadily through the divisions and are now languishing in Division Three.

But the signs are there of a potential revival following some impressive showings in the league.

And now Burnhope have transferred their league form to cup competitions and have sent First Division Station Ex Juniors toppling out of the trophy.

Stephen Halliday was in impressive form with two goals and Shaun Pearce netted the other in the 3-1 passage.

Stanley Aged Miners' Cup

BLACKHILL Cricketers caused the major first round upset when the Division Three outfit toppled the previously unbeaten Ball Alley.

The Cricketers did not exactly hit the Shield Row side for six - but they were not far from it when recording their shock 5-2 win over the much-fancied Second Division side.

Michael Bruce and Phil Mullin both struck hat-tricks for Consett Top Club as they recorded a 7-1 win at Hat & Feather.

David Baines was the other Top Club scorer while Mike Marshall chipped in with the Feather's consolation goal.

Harkness Trophy

AFTER their success in the Durham County Sunday Cup, Consett Stateside were back straight away in further cup action.

And in a typical showing, the Stateside brushed aside Lintz Cricket Club to reach the semi-finals of this Division One League Cup.

It ended 3-0 with Darren Bell boosting his already impressive tally with another couple of goals and Kevin Eglon put away the third.