Emergency Services League: Newcastle guaranteed themselves a first ever place in a cup final when they beat Langbaurgh 4-3 in a classic, cup semi-final encounter.

Newcastle had taken a two goal lead through two goals from Steve Clough. Langbautgh levelled things with a matching brace from Andy Robinson, one of the goals coming from the penalty spot. The match passed into extra time and within five minutes Dave Oakes restored Newcastle's lead. Matt Lymer equalised once more. Just as penalties seemed to be the deciding factor, Steve Clough knocked in a winner and completed his hat trick in the process. Newcastle will face either Tyne and Wear or Frankland in the Final.

Tyne and Wear continued their push on three fronts with their 7-2 victory over Easington. The result would. appear very one sided, but Tyne and Wear were deadly in front of goal. throughout, whereas Easington spurned early chances and. were caught out on the break late in the game. Lee Chape scored a hat trick, Troy Curry scored two, with Gary Dodds and Scott Edwards getting one each. Dave McKinlay and an own goal were on target for Easington. Tyne and Wear have their first trophy attempt on April 20 when they face Saints in the Meredith Trophy Final at the Nissan Sports ground, 6.30 kick off. They still top the table by eight points from Saints who have two games in band.

Saints reduced the arrears at the top when they picked up three points at bottom placed Sedgefield, with an eighty ninth minute goal. Sedgefield have shown dramatic improvement over the past three weeks and were desperately unlucky not to get a point from, the match.

Darlington collected their third league win of the season, when they completed a double over Stockton. Fred Wood and Kevin Wilson scored their goals in a 2-1 win over Stockton, for whom Lee Rukin scored. Frankland were surprise winner at Durham Fire, winning by the odd goal in three. After a goalless first half, Frankland capitalised on a defensive error to lead. Colin Jones equalised from the penalty spot for Durham Fire, only for another error and some woeful finnishing to give Frankland the win.

T M Disco Crook and District League

Willington WMC came from behind to win the Colin Waites Trophy after David Bowes had put West Auckland Queens Head in front. Peter Franks equalised and a last minute goal from Ian Woodhall gave Willington victory.

The WMC looked on the way to another final when Matthew Green gave them a two-goal lead in the Albert Vickers Cup semi final with Bishop Green Tree. But the visitors came back strongly to earn a 4-2 win through David Evans, John Paul Collinson (pen), Alan Jones and John Lowe.

West Auckland Queens Head missed two penalties in the other semi final against Evenwood White Swan. The match went to extra time before West won through with a goal from Hamish Foster.

After dropping mid week points Crook Wanderers bounced back to beat bottom side Wearhead United 6-3. Lee Furber notched a hat trick and the rest came from Chris Pounder, Lee Nelson and Mark Dunn. John Wheatley (2) and Michael Watson replied for Wearhead.

Howden Australian ended a run of five games without a win in defeating Tow Law Cattle Mart. Wayne Bryan ran from his own half to score the goal of the game and other goals came from Andrew Morgan, Dean Hanson, Michael Parker and John Chambers.

Stepy's Coaches Durham Sunday League

Three of the Leagues Cup Finals have been decided the League Cup final played at Brandon United's ground saw Fatfield North Biddick beat Meadowfield Brancepeth Castle 2-1.

The Ramside Hall Hotel Trophy played at Durham City saw Chilton WMC beat Houghton Glendale 4-0, the Durham City AFC Trophy played at Durham City saw Houghton Glendale beat Lambton Village Inn 3-1. In the Durham Driveways Trophy played at Esh Winning the game between Chilton WMC and Newton Hall Jovial Monk was abandoned.

The Stepy's Coaches League Cup Final is played on April 30 at Durham City AFC 7pm KO between Hetton Lyons Cicket Club and Pelton ROAB.

The Durham County Football Association Sunday Cup Final is played at Durham City AFC on May 2 7pm KO between Hetton Lyons Cricket Club and Houghton Glendale.

The Racing Promotions Trophy is played on May 4 at Durham City AFC 10.30 am between Chilton WMC and Newton Aycliffe WMC.

Darlington Church and Friendly League

Newton Aycliffe Navy Club picked up some rare points when they came out 3-2 victors in a very tight game against Bishopton Hoppers Transport, first half saw both sides finding the net once, header by John Shepherd for Navy Club and Ian Thompson for Hoppers, in the second half an effort by Shepherd was blocked on the line but hit a Hoppers player and went in, Wayne Turner put the sides level once again only for Mark Silvester to snatch the winner.

Hurworth Otter & Fish gave what was possibly their worst display of the season and paid the penalty when they visited Shildon Elm Road WMC going down 7-1, this defeat has virtually knock them out of the running for top spot. Thomas Louden topped the scoring with a hat-trick followed by a double for Richard Nash, Daniel Chadwick and Darryl Meadows completed their scoring, Wayne King netted the Otters consolation.

Another side who gave a well below par performance were Darlington RA Youth who were held to a 2-2 draw at Abbey Road by Darlington GSOB who fully deserved a share of the points and came very near to taking all three when leading 2-1 with ten minutes to go, after a goalless first half Peter Grey and Mark Sowerby scored for Old Boys and Andrew Wetherell for Youth with Dean Lawson scoring the equaliser. Steve Chandler had a cracking game in goal for the Old Boys.

In the only remaining game Aycliffe Saints had little difficulty overcoming Darlington Skerne Park 11 goals to one, Kyle Hancock did most of the damage with a nap hand, Ben Hall scored a treble with one apiece for John Hall, Richard Cave and Craig Hancock. In mid-week there were wins for Aycliffe Saints, RA Youth and The Royal whilst Otter & Fish drew with Travellers Rest

The League Cup Final between Darlington RA Youth and Shildon Elm Road WMC will be played on Darlington FC's Feethams Ground Tuesday 6th May Kick-Off 6-30pm.

* The League's condolences go to the family and friends of Paul Todd who suddenly died this week.

Bowman Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League

OLD Shildon edged the first of their three cup finals through a dramatic penalty shoot-out at Spennymoor United's Brewery Field last week.

In the first of two showdown finals, Shildon and Thorns drew 1-1 after normal time - with extra-time proving indecisive. Mark Russell gave Thornsa a 1-0 lead in the first half, but Philip Appleby equalised just before half-time. James Hedley missed a second-half penalty for Shildon, but they went on to win the nervy shoot-out 4-2 to grab the first of, potentially, a hat-trick of cups.

"We went into half-time at 1-1 thinking we had a good chance of winning it," said Shildon secretary Sharron Hedley. "But I think both sides were very evenly matched and unfortunately it had to go down to penalties."

Thorns manager Dave McWaters said: "We didn't perform. I think we had the best chance of the game with just two minutes of extra-time remaining, but in all honesty I don't think we deserved anything - we just didn't perform on the day. We will just have to pick ourselves up for our remaining two finals."

Old Shildon play Brawns Den in the B&A Trophy Final on Sunday (May 4), followed by their League Cup Final clash against Thorns next Sunday (May 11).

In the meantime, Brawns Den play Thorns in the Invitation Cup Final on Friday (May 2) at Brewery Field.

To make the season run-in all the more interesting, Newton Aycliffe have to beat Loves at home next Tuesday (April 6) to lift the league title for the sixth time - the same day as when second-placed Old Shildon play Tudhoe United at home.

Meanwhile, the Second Division title remains as open as ever, with one game looking likely to decide all after both Horndale and Postchaise yet again won their games to continue the stubborn stalemate.

Horndale completed their league programme last Sunday with an eventual win over Binchester Hotel. Tony Stebbins, Scott Mason, Adrian Gough and Lee Foster scored to give them the victory.

That game is on Sunday May 18 against Brawns Den - a game that would see Postchaise lift the title, should they win. "I always felt it was going to be a close title race," added Grimes. "But win, lose or draw I'm really proud of my players. We have reached a cup final and we've been up there for the title all season, so it's been a great year and I'm extremely pleased with my players' contributions over the course of the season."

* 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 will be held on Wednesday May 14.