Emergency Services League: Tyne & Wear Fire Brigade secured their first trophy of the season, in their first season with the league, when they beat Saints in the Meredith Trophy Final. The match played at Nissan, got off to an eventful start, when Tyne and Wear scored after three minutes. Scott Edwards was credited with the goal, but didn't know a lot about it. A goal line clearance struck him and rebounded into the net.

Saints recovered well and were the better team for the majority of the tie, but were unable to find the net. With six minutes remaining Phil Sowerby weaved through the Saints defence to make it 2-0. Then two minutes later, Troy Curry added a third to give the scoreline a flattering and undeserved flourish.

Tyne & Wear then took a huge step towards the League title with a 5-1 win over Frankland, whilst Saints suffered a loss to Langbaurgh. Kevin Simpson scored four goals for the Fire team, with the other goal by Billy Khatib. Ian Gibson had given Frankland the lead, but injuries left their team with only eight fit players by the end of the game.

Langbaurgh boosted their chances of getting the runners up spot, when they beat Saints 2-1 to leapfrog over them. Darren Henry and Les Goodcliffe exchanged first half goals. Henry then secured the points with a goal with five minutes to go.

Stockton gave the leading teams a boost with an unexpected win over Newcastle. Three unanswered goals from Paul Davison, Noel Young and Carl Hodgson gave their side their fifth victory of the season and severely dented Newcastle's hopes of getting second spot.

Durham HQ picked up another victory with a similar scoreline against Sedgefield, Steve Rooney netting twice and Paul Jackson getting the other goal.

The other two matches were cancelled due to policing issues.

A Hoggarth and Sons Eskvale and Cleveland League

Anchor Inn v Lealholm

The Anchor started brightly against a nine men Lealholm team, Blakey scoring within five minutes. After the goal Anchor settled into their game and with Strike in inspirational form he passed the ball through the Lealholm defence for Blakey to score twice more within 20 minutes.

Despite struggling for a team and with many of their regular players missing, Lealholm pushed forward in the hope of pulling a goal back but this left gaps and allowed Kast to steal in and net a further two goals. Just before half time a Lealholm latecomer arrived and immediately pulled a goal back. However the second half was dominated by the Anchor and saw Blakey adding a further two goals and Stone pushing up to net another two leaving the final score at Anchor Inn 9, Lealholm 1.

Gt Ayton v Staithes Ath

Staithes continued their quest for the league championship with a depleted team, due to a number of players away in France at a football tournament.

A polished performance by the remaining squad earned another three valuable points against a spirited display from a Gt Ayton side also missing a few regular players. Ayton were under constant pressure for the first 25 minutes which led to Staithes taking the lead from a Crossman goal.

Only the surging runs by Busby caused any threat to the Staithes defence in the first half. Staithes began to tire in the second half and Ayton took more control of midfield. With Leng and Simpson working hard to create opportunities for the forwards.

The equaliser came when Hyde hit home a cracking drive from 20 yards. Staithes reshuffled their line up and began to come back into the game. Chances were spurned at both ends of the pitch before Staithes had the good fortune to take the lead when Libby pounced on a loose ball in the six-yard box, keeping the title hopes alive. With fellow championsip contenders taking three points against Boosbeck Utd the next few matches should prove interesting.

Lingdale Tavern v Redcar Mack. Park

After playing in Friday's final Lingdale had some regular players missing but nevertheless took a first half lead when Breckon chipped the keeper from 25 yards. Mackinlay Park had chances to level but for some fine saves by Moore, in the Lingdale goal.

In the second half Lingdale scored a second when Darcy hit a 25 yard shot but tired legs in the Lingdale defence allowed Mackinlay to break and pull a goal back and five minutes later they levelled after a mix up between Moore and Fowl. Mackinlay Park then went ahead when a midfield player hit a 25 yard shot in off the cross bar. But for some more fine stops by Moore the Redcar side could have gone further ahead. Lingdale then earned a share of the points when a cross from Hood was headed home by Brown from ten yards.

The Northern Echo Cup Final

Lingdale Tavern v Boosbeck Utd

Lingdale started strongly and should have taken an early lead when Breckon broke down the right to cross but Calvert failed to connect. Five minutes later another Breckon cross once again was not met.

Boosbeck were defending well with Morgan and Dobson combining well together. Boosbeck took the lead in the 15th minute when a long ball was picked up by Johnson who beat keeper, Chisman. A second Boosbeck goal came when Morgan flicked on a Slater corner and Dobson headed home unchallenged. Lingdale then began to control the midfield, Thompson and Darcy working hard.

Their improved play paid off and they pulled a goal back when Breckon played the ball through to Calvert in the box and he slotted past the Boosbeck keeper. Lingdale, lifted by the goal, played well and they were rewarded with an equaliser, once again through Calvert, this time from a Thompson pass.

Five minutes into the second half calvert completed his hat-trick, shooting past the keeper from just inside the box. Boosbeck battled hard in an attempt to level, a good effort from Crawford was well saved by Chisman. Hood and Wright defended well for Lingdale, keeping the Boosbeck attack at bay. Lingdale increased their lead when a good build up in midfield saw a back heel from Breckon put Calvert through to score his fourth. The loss of Johnson through injury left Boosbeck short in attack and Lingdale secured victory with man of the match, Calvert, scoring yet again.

Whitby Benevolent Cup Semi Final

Highland Laddie v Lingdale Utd

After a slow start the game burst into life in the tenth minute, Taylor shot over the bar for Laddie then Hololb fired wide for Lingdale. Five minutes later Laddie took the lead when a corner by Hairs saw Neil Hodgson nip in at the front to score. James Hodgson and Catermole tried hard to rally Lingdale but a 25th minute free kick by Neil Hodgson eluded everyone to find the bottom corner of the net and increase Laddie's lead.

Good work by Whitehead saw Hololob break to pull a goal back from ten yards. Just before half time Laddie went further ahead when Burns nipped in at the far post. The Laddie defence held firm in the second half with only half chances fron Iseton and Wood being created. Another free kick from hat-trick hero Neil Hodgson gave Laddie their fourth and as they continued to dominate a fifth came when Combellack broke free and fired home from 20 yards. Laddie now meet Staithes in the final at Gt Ayton on May 16.

Darlington Church and Friendly League

The League was reduced to three fixtures when Hurworth Otter & Fish failed to muster a side, with victories Aycliffe Saints and Darlington RA Youth now go joint top of the league.

After a goalless first half, three goals in a ten minute spell against Shildon Elm Road WMC virtually sealed the points for Saints although Elm Road did come back to reduce the arrears by one through Thomas Louden, Ben Hall two and Jonathan Hall one were Saints scorers.

Newton Aycliffe Navy Club entertained Darlington RA Youth and went down 10-0, Navy Club were reduced to ten with about ten minutes to go to half time through what is classed a 'professional' foul when the score stood at 2-0, second half was pretty much one-way with goals coming at regular intervals. Darren Kokes topped the scoring with five (2 pen), Dean Lawson and Carl Moss both hit a brace, Craig Adamson rounded off the scoring from the penalty spot.

In the remaining game Darlington Skerne Park contained Chilton Wheatsheaf Wanderers to a single goal for long period and a missed chance to equalise allowed Wheatsheaf to go straight to the other end and add a second just before the break, Skerne Park had chances in the second half but it was Wheatsheaf who put theirs away adding a further six without reply Craig Chapman three Steve Ryder two with one apiece for Carl Hanley, Carl Allen and Darren Wise.

There were mid-week victories for Aycliffe Saints, RA Youth and The Royal.

The Archbold Trophy Final between Darlington RA Youth and Stillington The Royal will take place on Tuesday, May 13 at the RA Ground, Brinkburn Road, Darlington (6.30pm).

Any club wishing to join the League for the forthcoming 2003-04 season are requested to contact.

Bowman Anderson Accounts Spennymoor Sunday League

Newton Aycliffe and Postchaise were crowned the First and Second Division champions respectively this week, both on goal difference after winning their final games of the season.

An exciting season drew to a close as Aycliffe beat Loves 3-1 to win the title they lost last year. Old Shildon also won, beating Tudhoe United 9-1, but Aycliffe clinched it on goal difference.

They had dominated the Spennymoor League in recent years, winning the title four years on the trot until 2001. New Masons clinched it on the final day last season - but Aycliffe claimed it for a record fifth time on Tuesday night.

"We're thrilled to bits!" said assistant manager Craig Murray. "It's been a long, hard season and I'm delighted for all the lads. Our pride was hurt last season after winning nothing, so it is especially sweet to win the league again."

Dave Muir (2) and Paul Stevens were on target for Aycliffe after Loves had taken a brief, first-half lead.

Meanwhile, Postchaise pipped Horndale to the Second Division title on goal difference with a 6-1 win at home to Brawns Den on Tuesday night.

Anthony Dague (2), Scott Stainsby (2), Stu Beattie and Brendan Mullen scored to clinch the championship and automatic promotion to the top flight, along with runners-up Horndale.

Postchaise club captain Paul Barker said: "Extremely pleased to have won the league. Promotion was our first aim, and winning the league would have been a bonus, so we're delighted! We knew it was going to go to the last kick of the season, but the lads were really up for it and I think we were deserved winners in the end."

Meanwhile, Second Division Brawns Den clinched their second trophy of the season with a battling 1-0 win over First Division Thorns.

The Den - who had already won the Second Division Cup with a 5-0 win over Horndale last month - won the Invitation Cup last Friday at Spennymoor United's Brewery Field ground, Peter Boucher grabbing the decisive goal.

But Brawns Den's spirited display must have knocked the stuffing out of them, as they surrendered the League Cup last Sunday 3-0 to Old Shildon.

"Delighted to have won two cups," said manager Gerard Crooks. "The lads are over the moon - it's been a great season and I'm really proud of them."

Darren Plaice and Thomas Louden gave Old Shildon a 2-0 half-time lead against the Brawns Den in the B&A Trophy Final last Sunday, while Phillip Appleby grabbed the third.

"I thought they gave us a good game," said secretary Sharon Hedley. "They never really laid down, even when we scored the third, so it was a hard-earned win and the lads are obviously delighted to have won a second cup."

Den gaffer Crooks admitted: "They were just too good for us. I think the lads played their heart out in the Invitation on the Friday and didn't have a lot left to give by the Sunday!

"But we're proud to have appeared in three finals this year - and to win two of them has been a fantastic achievement.

"I'd like to thank Browney WMC, where we've been playing from for most of this season. We're putting things right on the field, and now off the field thanks to the generous support of the club and its regulars!"

* The league's end-of-season presentation night will be held at Old Shildon WMC on Friday, June 6, when local band 'Buster' will form part of the night's entertainment as well as all the usual awards and presentations.

The league's next meeting is due to be held on Wednesday, May 14.

Secretaries are reminded that the league will need to know, at next week's meeting, how many tickets each club wants for the presentation night.

Results round-up, Tuesday, May 6 - Division One: Newton Aycliffe 3, Loves 1; Old Shildon 9, Tudhoe Utd 1.

Division Two: Postchaise 6, Brawns Den 1.

Sunday, May 4 - B&A Trophy Final: Old Shildon 3, Brawns Den 0.

Friday, May 2 - Invitation Cup Final: Brawns Den 1, Thorns 0.

Tuesday, April 29 - Division One: Loves 6, Eldon Lane 0; Lakeside 1, Old Shildon 2; Salvins 4, Tudhoe Utd 3; Thorns 4, Binchester SC 0.

Division Two: North Briton 4, Brawns Den 3.