Franklin and Kokes star for the All Stars

IDivision Two, All Stars remain top of the pile thanks to a 6-1 victory over Royal British Legion, courtesy of hat-tricks from Damian Franklin and Darren Kokes. Meanwhile, with second placed Killinghall Arms game against Grey Horse postponed, AFC Orange closed the gap on the second placed team with victory over Copper Beech DCS, although they had to rely on a 70th minute own goal to edge an extremely close game against mid-table DCS.

The only other games in Division Two saw Yates Wine Lodge move into fourth place with a 4-2 away victory over struggling Canney Hill, whilst the game between Green Dragon and Bishop Auckland Derby was postponed after 78 minutes with the Dragon in a commanding 5-1 lead. However, it was The Derby that took an early lead with the benefit of the wind at their backs in the first half, and it was a lead that they held onto until just after the break when Andrew Mackintosh equalised for the Dragon. The Dragon were then reduced to ten men as Gary Dent was forced to exit the action for ten minutes as nature called, and upon his return he was no doubt stunned to find that the Dragon had struck a further three goals to take a 4-1 lead, thanks to Dave Abdale, Neil Willis and Stuart Ford. Andrew Mackintosh then struck his second of the game to make the score 5-1 to the Green Dragon with less than 15 minutes remaining - a result that will surely stand regardless of the game being abandoned.

In Division Three, Pepper Draughting Service made light work of second placed FR Aviation as they cruised to a 5-0 victory to make it 21 victories in 21 league games. Scott Davison (2), Graham Pepper, Michael Boddy and Lee Hammond notched the goals that left PDS 14 points clear at the top of the table, with only nine games left to play.

Meanwhile, Hope Inn welcomed Phil Sheridan, Su Hardy and Graham Wedge back to the side for their home game against AXA Insurance, with all three instrumental in securing a convincing victory that moves the Hope back into second place in the league. AXA held their own for the opening 25 minutes, but a quick brace from free-scoring Trenton Hewitt settled the home sides nerves as they started to play some excellent football that produced a flurry of goal-scoring opportunities. Despite man-of-the-match Luke Scott's best efforts in the AXA goal he was unable to stop Hope Inn running out 9-0 victors thanks to further goals from Stu Hardy (2), Adam Wilson (2), Dave Hubble and another two from Hewitt, taking his personal tally to four.

Elsewhere, Pizza Perfekt picked up a 7-2 victory over Emcor to remain in fourth place, while Haughton BAT ran out 5-0 victors over Cricketers and Drinkfield United produced a convincing second half display to defeat bottom side Smith & Allan. With the game goalless at half time, Drinkfield knew they needed to get on the scoresheet quickly, and that is exactly what they did as Daniel Eeles volleyed home Carl Eeles' good early cross within minutes of the restart. The game was still fairly evenly poised though until a master stroke from Drinkfield's manager, as Dave Cooper came off the bench to notch two goals, whilst fellow substitute Mark Wardell also notched a goal on his debut. Captain John Bickrell also got on the scoresheet with his first goal of the season, whilst man-of-the-match Tony Moorcroft completed the rout with a brace to make the final score 7-0 to Drinkfield.

Newton Cap provided the surprise result of the day, however, as they picked up their first league victory of the season with a 4-3 away victory over AFC Aruba. Despite a bright start from Aruba, the Cap took an early 1-0 lead through Mark Ross. However, the lead was short-lived as Dave Holt quickly replied for the hosts, before Gareth Hardbottle headed Aruba captain Matt Holt's corner through his own net to swing the pendulum in favour of Aruba. Paul Fox soon got the visitors back on level terms though as he took advantage of a mix up in the Aruba defence, before Hardbottle atoned for his earlier error as his wind assisted long range effort sailed over Aruba keeper James Merritt's head and into the back of the net to make the score 3-2 to Newton Cap. Aruba weren't going to lie down and be beaten though, and Steve Odle capped a fine run with a super goal to make the score 3-3 at half time.

The second half might have seen a reduction in the number of goals scored, but both teams were going all out for the victory and tempers started to rise as Aruba attempted to take the game to Newton Cap. However several chances went begging for the hosts, and they were made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal when man-of-the-match Mark Ross struck a breakaway goal to seal the 4-3 victory for the hosts.

In the remaining third division games, a penalty from man-of-the-match Mike Watt sealed a 3-0 victory for The Falchion over Royal Oak after Richard Young and James Gilby had struck either side of half time. Meanwhile, Middleton St George ran out 2-0 victors over a spirited Sherwoods side. The game began slowly on a tricky surface as both sides created goal-scoring chances, but the deadlock remained until just before half time as Stephen Walton's diving header put the hosts 1-0 ahead at the break. The second half saw the home side dominate as they created numerous chances, but only one goal was to follow as man-of-the-match John Sunter's cool finish gave his side the 2-0 victory.

Coundon Foresters continued their march to the league championship with style in the First Division on Sunday, as a Darren Wilson hat-trick gave them a 3-1 away victory over their closest rivals Newton Aycliffe Sports Club. Chris Postle notched the hosts only goal, but Coundon now look odds-on to retain their league title and will also be pleased to have avenged the cup defeat that they suffered against the Sports Club earlier in the year.

Meanwhile, whilst the Sports Club dropped three points, second placed East End WMC served up the rarest of results in the Invitation League as they were held to a 0-0 draw by a Spraire side that have started a steady climb up the table in recent weeks. Elsewhere, Nestfield Club defeated a depleted Central Club side 8-0, whilst Hurworth Albion also picked up an 8-0 victory against The Northern Echo. Simon Middlemiss came off the bench to notch three of the Albion's goals, whilst Darren Tate (3) and Kelvin Russell (2) completed the rout as Hurworth notched six without reply in the second half.

The Echo's heavy defeat will have been much more difficult for them to swallow, however, had they known that The Brinkburn were in the process off picking up their first victory of the season - three points that takes them off the bottom of the table and above The Echo. Bishop Auckland Cricket Club became Brinkburn's first victims as Richy Wilkinson's brace set the hosts on the way to a 4-2 victory. Steve Appleby and James Wilkinson also notched for the hosts, with Michael Dixon and Alan Meadows striking the Cricket Clubs goals