Metro Church Sunderland extended their lead with a home win over Stranton Saints Hartlepool.
Gareth Hern opened the scoring for Metro with Chris Barlow scoring a penalty to square the match. Noel Harrison's first goal of the season gave Metro a 2-1 win.
Consett Churches travelled the short distance for their local derby against Lanchester Chapel and took a 2-0 lead with Martin Herdman and a David Cooke penalty. Andrew Sword pulled a goal back and Cook immediately made it 3-1. Goals from Karl Hepplewhite (penalty) and David Marrin tied the match 3-3. Chris McNally popped up to give Consett a 4-3 win and remain in third place.
Saint Peter's Church Low Fell climbed off the bottom of the table with a 4-0 win over Monkwerarmouth Christians. Leading 1-0 at the break from Rob Laybourne, Steve Reynolds (2) and Andrew Watson striking in the second half.
Whitley Bay Churches got back to winning ways travelling to Ashington and took a 2-0 with Rob Lewis scoring both from the penalty spot. Danny Vuong scored a penalty to put Stakeford Methodist Church back in the game. Geoff Noble got a third for Bay with Paddy Cunningham scoring late on only for Stakeford to lose 3-2.
In Division Two, the top two both won their matches. Leaders Jesmond Parish Church Athenians played their mates Jesmond Parish Church Corinthians and won 5-3. Athenian's Jason Alexander scored twice with Keith Chambers, Neil Fitzpatrick and Martin Davison netting the others. Sam Cunningham, Scott Martin and a James Young penalty netting for Corinthians.
Second place Saint Aidens Chapel Castington romped into an 8-0 half time lead against Whitley Bay Baptist Church. Paul Archer helped himself to four, Chris Orr got two with Paul Hobbs and Clint Storey one each. Whitley Bay Baptists won the second half with a goal each from Jordan Murphy and John Leach. Steven Dunkerley scored the only goal for the Saints in the second half as they won 9-2.
Bethany Christian Centre held onto third place after grinding out a 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough Baptists. Craig Richardson and Ronnie Smith gave Bethany a 2-1 lead after 45 minutes with John Schofield scoring for the Baptists. He also got the goal that finished the match 2-2.
City Church Newcastle had home advantage as they share the pitch with Heaton Hearts. Heaton settled first as they took 2-0 at half time from Ramana K. Second half saw Alistair Ray score a penalty, Danny Bowman tie the match at 2-2 Gary Harding gave City a 3-2 win and lift them off the bottom of the table.
Heworth Christian Fellowship made it three wins in a row. The last two were away wins 4-1, 5-1 and this week won 6-1 at home to Saint John's Church Snod's Edge. David Fittes (2) and Lee Wilkenson opened a 3-0 lead, with Nick Rowlings, John Bramley and Richard Aiston scoring the other three. Martin Thompson got Saint John's consolation goal.
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