SURPRISE package Broompark Loves went to the top of the First Division table with two convincing wins this week.

First they beat title hopefuls Thorns 5-0 - then a 3-0 win at Green Tree on Tuesday night saw them leapfrog fixtureless Newton Aycliffe at the top of the league.

Meanwhile Horndale, who had started the season on the wrong foot with two straight defeats, also bagged two wins in three days to kick-start their campaign.

They were 2-1 winners at Browney last Sunday - Tony Stebbings and substitute Wayne Pratt scoring the goals - and they recorded an impressive 4-1 win at Beehive on Tuesday night.

"Delighted with the lads," said their manager Mickey Grimes. "It was a tough start to the season but we battled hard at Browney and earned a good victory. Now hopefully we can take this form into the rest of the season with us."

Meanwhile, in a bizarre game last Sunday, Beehive finished eventual 7-4 winners after they were trailing 4-1 at half-time!

Despite Kenny Melvil's first-half goal, strikes by Barry Liddle (2) and Gavin McIntyre (2) gave the home side a three-goal cushion.

However, in an amazing turn-around, striker Melvil scored a second half hat-trick and that, along with goals by Stephen Brown, Chris Oates and Mark Pattinson, completed the recovery.

"I think most of the team had a lie in on Sunday as they didn't wake up untill we were 4-1 down!" admitted Beehive boss Mick Hill.

Elsewhere, Lakeside's good start was shot to pieces when they were hammered 4-0 by Old Shildon, James Hedley, Martin Hedley, Ian Maddison and Thomas Louden scoring the goals.

Postchaise beat Tudhoe United 5-2 thanks to a hat-trick by Phil Dowd and one each from Paul Thompson and Paul Walton. Billy McLacklin and Mark Gibbons scored for Tudhoe.

Newton Aycliffe, meanwhile, were 6-1 winners at Binchester Social Club. Dave Muir (4), Mark Addy and Mark Lunn scored for Aycliffe, with Darren Spark netting Binny's consolation.

On Tuesday night this week, Thorns were 2-1 winners over Lakeside, with goals being scored by Mark Russell. Marc De Lucia scored for Lakeside. Also, Old Shildon were 6-2 winners over Salvins, Browney beat Postchaise 4-0 and Tudhoe United claimed their first win of the season at Binchester Social Club with a 1-0 win.

In Division Two last Sunday, North Briton stormed to the top of the table with a 4-1 win at Boot & Shoe.

Michael Middleton gave them a 1-0 lead after 15 minutes, and although the Shoe equalised just after half-time, the Brit went on to claim maximum points with goals by Dave Patrick and two from Adrian Goff.

"I felt we totally dominated," said Brit manager Barry Atkinson. "We created several good chances but only scored four through some excellent goalkeeping."

Even at this early stage, the Brit are the only team in Division Two with a 100 per cent record.

Elsewhere, Hunwick Joiners beat Masons United 3-2 thanks to two goals by Jonathan Clegg and one from Lee Genner. Dean Merchant scored United's goal.

Middlestone Moor beat Cumby Arms 4-1 with goals from David Parker, Craig Parker, John Rammage and David Leary. Ross Kilip scored for Cumby.

Shildon Athletic and Belvedere played out a 2-2 draw - Keith Hurst and Darren Dodds scoring for Shildon and Karl Thompson and Michael Walker for Belvedere.

Finally, Grand went second in the table with their 3-2 win over Victoria, Kevin Turvey (2) and Scott Wright scoring the goals. Michael Madden and Jason Greenland scored for the Vic.

* Club Secretaries are reminded that the next league meeting is due to take place on Wednesday, September 3 at Spennymoor United's Brewery Field Clubhouse from 8pm.

Results round-up, Tuesday, August 26: Division One: Lakeside 1, Thorns 2; Salvins 2, Old Shildon 6; Loves 3, Green Tree 0; Beehive 1, Horndale 4; Browney 4, Postchaise 0; Tudhoe Utd 1, Binchester SC 0.

Sunday, August 24: Division One: Thorns 0, Loves 5; Old Shildon 4, Lakeside 1; Green Tree 4, Beehive 7; Horndale 2, Browney 1; Postchaise 5, Tudhoe United 2; Binchester SC 1, Newton Aycliffe 6.

Division Two: Grand 3, Victoria 2; Boot & Shoe 1, North Briton 4; Voltigeur 2, Masons Arms 0; Middlestone Moor 4, Cumby Arms 1; Hunwick 3, Masons United 2; Shildon Athletic 2, Belvedere 2.

Thursday, August 21: Division Two: Grand 2, Eldon Arms 2; North Briton 5, Masons United 1; Voltigeur 1. Belvedere 1; Middlestone Moor 1, Victoria 1; Hunwick 3, Masons Arms 3; Boot & Shoe 0, Cumby Arms 6.

Fixtures: Sunday, August 31: Division One: Beehive v Thorns, Old Shildon v Loves, Salvins v Lakeside, Browney v Green Tree, Tudhoe United v Horndale, Newton Aycliffe v Postchaise.

Division Two: Masons Arms v Grand, Victoria v Shildon Athletic, Belvedere v Eldon Arms, Cumby Arms v Voltigeur, Masons United v Middlestone Moor, North Briton v Hunwick.

Durham County Sunday Cup, first preliminary round (fixtures involving league clubs): September 7: Shildon Three Tuns v Cumby Arms, Broompark loves v Hartlepool The Office, Horndale v Stanley Ball Alley, Barnard Castle Glaxo v Voltigeur, Grand v Pelton Crown Inn, North Briton v Trimdon The Dovecote, Gateshead Allerdene v Newton Aycliffe.

September 14: Billingham Stoney Oak v Binchester SC, Green Tree v Birtley Vigo Inn, Masons Arms v Ferryhill Celtic, Masons United v Hartlepool Rugby, Billingham The Merlin v Salvins, Hunwick Joiners v Washington The Stella.

Division One

P W D L F A Pts

Broompark Loves 4 3 1 0 12 2 10

Newton Aycliffe 3 3 0 0 15 4 9

Old Shildon 3 3 0 0 13 2 9

Lakeside 4 2 0 2 18 8 6

Beehive 3 2 0 1 12 9 6

Browney 4 2 0 2 8 9 6

Horndale 4 2 0 2 8 11 6

Thorns 4 2 0 2 5 11 6

Postchaise 4 1 1 2 7 11 4

Salvins 3 1 0 2 8 10 3

Tudhoe United 3 1 0 2 6 9 3

Binchester SC 3 0 0 3 3 10 0

Green Tree 4 0 0 4 6 25 0

Division Two

North Briton 3 3 0 0 13 5 9

Grand 3 2 1 0 12 5 7

Hunwick Joiners 3 2 1 0 12 8 7

Middlestone Moor 2 1 1 0 5 2 4

Masons Arms 3 1 1 1 8 6 4

Voltigeur 2 1 1 0 3 1 4

Cumby Arms 3 1 0 2 10 8 3

Belvedere 3 0 3 0 5 5 3

Victoria 3 0 1 2 7 10 1

Masons United 3 0 1 2 4 10 1

Shildon Athletic 2 0 1 1 3 9 1

Boot & Shoe 3 0 0 3 2 15 0

*Eldon Arms 1 0 1 0 2 2 -2

*Denotes three points deducte