OLD Shildon maintained their grip on the big five with yet another cup win last week.

Old Shildon, who are currently third in the First Division but with games in hand, joined the quarter-finals of the Invitation Cup last week with a 6-0 win over Beehive.

They now face Thorns, who are also in the hunt for trophies this year and currently second in the league, in the quarters of the Invitation.

But Shildon are also in the semi-finals of the League Cup (against Victoria), the semi-finals of the B&A Trophy (against Thorns) and they also play Thorns again in the First Division Cup Final.

But it doesn't stop there. "We'd like to win the league as well," said Secretary Sharron Hedley. "We think the league title will be more difficult to win, but we are certainly hoping to win as many cups as possible - it would be nice to win them all!

"But we're just taking each game as it comes. We have a young set of lads but they have been really up for it this season and they deserve to win something - it has taken us long enough to get here!"

Goals by Philip Appleby (3), James Hedley, Thomas Lauden and Kevin Russell ensured their passage to the quarters last week.

Meanwhile, Second Division Shildon Athletic booked a semi-final place in the competition with a 2-1 over First Division Eldon Lane.

Michael Davidson had given Eldon a 1-0 first-half lead, but Kevin Kavanagh equalised with a penalty after the break. An unfortunate own goal bagged the win for Shildon.

"We had a bit of luck," admitted winning boss Wayne Stout. "But the game could really have gone either way. Both sides had a lot of chances and could have won it - but thankfully we've got a bit of luck in the game and we're into the club's first ever semi-final, so the lads are chuffed to bits!"

Brawns Den (6-0 win over Two Blues) and Loves (4-0 win over Green Tree) also booked their place in the semis of the competition.

In Division One last week, Newton Aycliffe continued their title push with a narrow 2-1 win over Binchester Social Club, Mark Addy and Russell Mercer scoring the goals. Anthony Binks scored for Binny.

Elsewhere, Lakeside recorded a comfortable 8-0 win over Salvins - Marc De Lucia (3), Morgan Fielding (2), Steve Hepples, Wayne Marram and an own goal getting on the scoresheet.

In Division Two last week, top two Horndale and Postchaise both won.

Rob Chambers, Adrian Gough, Wayne Pratt and Tony Stebbings scored to give Horndale a 4-0 win over Masons United, while Lee Taylor and Paul and Ray Walton scored for Postchaise to give them a 3-1 win over Boot & Shoe.

Elsewhere, Cumby Arms and Victoria played out a 3-3 draw. Stuart Bell (2) and Dave Walker scored for Cumby and Jason Greenland (2) and Kyley Wright for the Vic.

Results round-up, Sunday, March 16 - Division One: Newton Aycliffe 2, Binchester SC 1; Brandon 1, Grand 3; Tudhoe United 2, Thorns 4; Salvins 0, Lakeside 8.

Division Two: Boot & Shoe 1, Postchaise 3; Horndale 4, Masons United 0; Cumby Arms 3, Victoria 3.

Invitation Cup round two: Old Shildon 6, Beehive 0.

Invitation Cup quarter-final: Brawns Den 6, Two Blues 0; Eldon Lane 1, Shildon Athletic 2; Loves 4, Green Tree 0.

Division One

P W D L F A Pts

Newton Aycliffe 16 14 1 1 75 19 43

Thorns 18 14 1 3 71 26 43

Old Shildon 15 13 1 1 50 15 40

Lakeside 12 9 1 2 52 19 28

Eldon Lane 19 6 2 11 37 55 20

*Tudhoe United 16 6 3 7 47 57 18

Broompark Loves 11 5 1 5 30 25 16

Beehive 15 4 3 8 38 59 15

Brandon 17 4 2 11 43 79 14

Binchester SC 16 3 2 11 27 58 11

*Salvins 16 3 2 11 33 52 8

Grand 15 2 1 12 26 65 7

Division Two

P W D L F A Pts

Horndale 18 12 4 2 57 35 40

Postchaise 17 12 3 2 47 18 39

Green Tree 19 11 2 6 66 45 35

Shildon Athletic 18 9 5 4 45 43 32

Victoria 18 8 3 7 47 35 27

Eldon Arms 17 8 2 7 48 37 26

Two Blues 19 7 2 10 53 51 23

Brawns Den 13 6 3 4 50 30 21

Binchester Hotel 18 6 3 9 41 48 21

Masons United 18 5 4 9 33 54 19

Cumby Arms 16 6 1 9 33 55 19

North Briton 17 4 2 11 34 54 14

Boot & Shoe 18 1 2 14 24 73 5

*Denotes three points deducted