Ferryhill Greyhound are the new leaders of the Premier Division, they defeated Penshaw Catholic Club at home. Stan Cummings scoring a hat-trick at Stephenson one.

In second place are Killingworth Arms, they won 4-2 at home against second bottom club Grindon Broadway who played much better than their position suggests and would have won the match if only they had a marksman to put away the scoring chances they created.

Owton Manor also won 4-2 at home against the Masons Arms who turned in a vastly improved performance and twice held the lead before the Manor came good to score three second half goals to win the match.

In Division Two Barnard Castle Glaxo won 2-1 at home to Consett, taking the lead through Martin Irvine who slotted home a Ian Alderson cross. They then went 2-0 up when Consett's keeper failed to hold a free kick from Geoff Bannister and the loose ball was put in the net by Alderson. Consett pulled one back when a rocket-like shot from outside the box left the keeper helpless. The second half was end to end stuff with both defences holding firm and no further goals came.

In Division Four Trimdon Veterans were in tremendous form. They trounced the Sportsmans Arms 7-0 at home. The first half was very even and Trimdon led 1-0 at the break but after the restart they literally took over dominating the game and scoring six further goals without reply. The marksmen were Smith a hat trick and Everson, Dickenson, Bean and McKay one a piece.

In the second round of the Villa Real Cup, Langley Park Rams Head lost 5-3 away to Sedgefield. The Rams led 2-0 at the interval, Sedgefield pulled one back after the restart only for the Rams to come back strongly and make it 3-1. The Rams looked to have the game won but somehow Sedgefield rallied and in the last quarter staged a grand-stand finish to score four goals and run out 5-3 winners, scorers for the Rams were Hancock, Tyler and Redman and Page a brace; Watson, Kevin Stephenson and John Barker one a piece for Sedgefield.

Newton Aycliffe, lacking their secretary Joanne Smith's support, crashed out of the cup by losing 4-0 away to Red House. Red House were always in control, scoring two goals in each half. Aycliffe's keeper was their hero, pulling off a number of great saves. Scorers for Red House were Ronnie Race, Norman Gilby, Brian Stephenson and Brian Drysdale.

Wynyard Veterans did well, they won 4-2 at home against Boldon Black Bull. They led 1-0 at the interval courtesy of Neil Sullivan. After the restart Chris Flood levelled for the visitors and the Moeliker shot them into the lead. The Vets were awarded a penalty for hands and Peter Balderstone converted and made it 2-2. David Wernick scored in a goal mouth melee to put the Vets 3-2 up and the issue was settled when Mo Nojah scored late on to make it 4-2.

Wynyard Old Boys drew 1-1 with Taylors in an entertaining game. Only sterling work by the Vet's defence kept the score to 1-0 at the break. The restart saw the Vets regain their confidence as they mounted attack after attack, leveling the scores. The game now swung from end to end but both defences stayed solid. Stars for the Old Boys were keeper, David Scott, Redhead and Storey and the 'Peter Pan' of Over-40s football, ex-Pools and Yeovil Town player Andy McLuskey.

Villa Real Cup

Third round draw: Red House WMC v Blackhall Hardwick; Oddies v Marden; British Telecom or Hebburn DT v Darlington Railway or Darlington Croft; Silksworth Lord Seaham v Wallsend RAOB or Barnes Hotel; Ouston Manor SC Hartlepool v Crook Town or Wallsend Rising Sun; North Shields Spring Gardens v Usworth WMC; Marsden Inn v Hartlepool RNC; Penshaw Catholic Club v Masons Arms Middlestone Moor; Hylton Castle or Toll Bar v Killingworth Arms; Hartlepool Touchdown Hotel v Steels Social Club; Wardley Green v Billingham CYS Wanderers; Moor House v Wynyard Veterans; Gateshead Ex-Servicemen v Houghton Swifts; Hartlepool Catholic Club v Grindon Broadway; Sedgfield United v Steaon Delaval SC; Sunderland CC v Ferryhill Greyhound.