OLD Shildon and Thorns will meet in the First Division Cup Final at Spennymoor United's Brewery Field in April after beating Lakeside and Brandon respectively.

Thorns skipped into the final after goals by Andrew Richardson (2), Mark Russell and Craig Cowans saw off Brandon. "It wasn't a very pretty game," admitted Thorns boss Dave McWaters. "Poor conditions made it difficult for both sides and there wasn't a great deal of football played. We are just pleased to get to a cup final and we look forward to taking on Old Shildon for the cup!"

Lakeside were unlucky to be knocked out by Old Shildon, who are still in the hunt for four cups as well as the First Division title.

Marc De Lucia had given them a first-half lead, but despite numerous chances they failed to extend that lead and were punished when Darren Plaice equalised ten minutes before full-time. James Healey grabbed the extra-time winner.

Old Shildon are also in the quarter-finals of the Invitation Cup and the semi-finals of the B&A Trophy and League Cup as well as the 1st Division Cup Final, which will be played at Brewery Field on Sunday, April 27.

Meanwhile, Brawns Den set-up what promises to be a tenacious derby semi-final of the B&A Trophy after beating 1st Division Grand 4-1 in the quarter-finals last week.

In a scrappy game, a hat-trick by Dale Phillips and one by Steven Wallace ensured Den's progression to the last four. Manager Gerard Crooks said: "It wasn't a good game, but we're just pleased to be in another semi-final after booking our 2nd Division Cup Final place. The semi-final against Loves should be a cracking derby and we're really looking forward to it." Mark Cowley scored for Grand.

Old Shildon play Thorns in the other semi, with the final being played at Brewery Field on Sunday, May 4.

Meanwhile, in the league, Beehive recorded a priceless win in the 1st Division after beating Binchester Social Club 5-1. Adam Henderson (2), Jeff Alderson, Stephen Brown and a header from the smallest man on the pitch, Victor Coglan, made sure of the spoils! Paul Sutton scored Binny's goals.

Elsewhere, Newton Aycliffe continued their rich league form with a comfortable 6-1 win over Loves, Dave Muir (3), Russell Mercer (2) and Richard Dimambro-Walters scoring the goals.

In Division Two, the top two sides both won to continue the close title fight. Horndale recorded a narrow 1-0 win over bottom-of-the-table side Boot & Shoe - Wayne Pratt scoring the decisive goal - while Phil Dowd (2), Lee Taylor, John-Paul Greaves and Brian Denham were on the scoresheet for Postchaise as they beat Cumby Arms 5-0.

Meanwhile, the quarter-finals of the Invitation Cup were drawn at the League's March meeting. They are: Eldon Lane v Shildon Athletic, Brawns Den v Two Blues, Loves v Green Tree, Old Shildon/Beehive v Thorns. The final will be played at Brewery Field on Friday, May 2.

The League Cup semi-finals were also drawn. They are: Newton Aycliffe v Thorns, Victoria v Old Shildon. The final, again at Brewery Field, is due to be played on Sunday, May 11.

The final of the Second Division Cup Final between Horndale and Brawns Den will be played on Sunday, March 30.

Division One

P W D L F A Pts

Newton Aycliffe 15 13 1 1 73 18 40

Thorns 17 13 1 3 67 24 40

Old Shildon 15 13 1 1 50 15 40

Lakeside 11 8 1 2 44 19 25

Eldon Lane 19 6 2 11 37 55 20

*Tudhoe United 15 6 3 6 45 53 18

Broompark Loves 11 5 1 5 30 25 16

Beehive 15 4 3 8 38 59 15

Brandon 16 4 2 10 42 76 14

Salvins 15 3 2 10 33 44 11

Binchester SC 15 3 2 10 26 56 11

Grand 14 1 1 12 23 64 4

Division Two

P W D L F A Pts

Horndale 17 11 4 2 53 35 37

Postchaise 16 11 3 2 44 17 36

Green Tree 19 11 2 6 66 45 35

Shildon Athletic 18 9 5 4 45 43 32

Victoria 17 8 2 7 44 32 26

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 17 5 4 8 33 50 19

Cumby Arms 15 6 0 9 30 52 18

North Briton 17 4 2 11 34 54 14

Boot & Shoe 17 1 2 13 23 70 5

*Denotes three points deducte