Last week's torrential downpour played havoc with the fixtures, only ten games being played owing to waterlogged pitches.
In Division One Blackhall Hardwick won 4-0 at home against Wearmouth and stay in second place. Blackhall were always in command of the game although Wearmouth defended stubbornly in the first half, it being 25 minutes before the breakthrough occurred when David Evans headed home a Bobby Huntingdon corner. The restart saw Blackhall in control with further goals coming from brothers John and Dennis Atherton and Trevor Carr to give Blackhall a comfortable 4-0 victory.
Newton Aycliffe had to fight all the way to gain a 1-0 away win over Sedgefield. The first half ended goalless with very few scoring chances being created. The restart was of a similar pattern although Sedgefield were unlucky not to take the lead when in a purple patch Newton Aycliffe's keeper Ian Shepherd pulled off a series of great saves. However, it was a shot from Dave McDonald which hit Keith Wishart and rocketed into the net for an own goal to put Aycliffe 1-0 up to win the match. Stars of the match were Charlie Smith, a star player for Newcastle University in the 70s, and Shepherd for Aycliffe. Kevin Jones and Peter Roberts in midfield for Sedgefield.
Langley Park Rams Head came back to form by defeating the Barnes Hotel 4-1 at home. Leading 2-0 at half time courtesy of goals from Alan Forster and Rob Corbett, they never looked like losing control and after the restart further goals from new signing Kevin Redman and Brian Sara put them 4-0 up before Barnes pulled one back through Colin Rostron. The Rams outstanding player was their centre back Kevin Williams.
Darlington Croft move into third spot as they won 2-1 away to Wardley Green in a most exciting game which saw end to end football and the result in doubt until the final whistle. The first half ended 1-1, Darlington taking the early through Kevin Peacock but it was very quickly cancelled out when Graham Stephenson headed home a centre from Tony Joyce to make it 1-1. The restart saw the game fluctuating from end to end before the visitors took the lead when a shot from Kenny Murphy was deflected into the net for an own goal. Despite efforts from both sides no further goals came, only near misses.
In Division Two the leaders Hartlepool Catholic Club dropped three valuable points by losing 3-2 at home to the bottom club Gateshead Ex-Servicemen. Pool's although enjoying the bulk of the play on the first half, trailed 1-0 at the break, Gateshead scoring from a breakaway against the run of play. After the restart Pool's continued attacks resulted in Mickey Lewis levelling and then they went 2-1 up through Bob Ramsey and victory looked assured. With only ten minutes remaining Pool resorted to passing the ball around to run out time but were caught out when Gateshead intercepted a pass and scored the equaliser. Pool lost their composure and next lost the ball in midfield, a breakway resulted and then a goal and the visitors had won a match 3-2 which they had seemingly lost.
Hartlepool Touchdown won their away game against Consett 3-0 and move into second place, 11 points adrift but four games in hand. Adapting to the heavy muddy conditions Touchdown took control and led 3-0 at the interval courtesy of goals from Chris James and Lester Corbett a brace. The restart saw Consett come back into the game and keeper Andrew Robson pulled off a series of great scores to deny them but in fairness Touchdown were the better team and never looked like conceding any goals. Stars were Trent, Robson, Pincher and James for the visitors.
In Division Three Darlington Railway improved their league position they won 4-1 at home to the bottom club Durham City Strollers. The game was won in the first half as Darlington quickly got on top and led 3-0 at the interval. Then after the restart they scored again to go 4-0 up before Durham pulled one back late on. Scorers were Michael Wake a brace and Stephen Hope and McMasters.
Wingate dropped three valuable home points by losing 1-0 to Regency Windows. Wynyard Veterans are once again the league leaders, they won 4-2 at home against West Cornforth. Cornforth were the first to score only for David Graham to quickly level then he headed home a cross from Surplus but just on half time Cornforth regained the lead. The restart saw Peter Balderstone slam home a spot kick to level the score 2-2 and shortly after the Vets took the lead courtesy of a Derek Wells goal and finally Peter Boagie settled the issue 4-2 when he scored with a powerful draw from the edge of the box.
In Division Five Trimdon Vets won 4-1 at home to Wynyard Old Boys. The Vets were well in command and led 3-0 at the interval and after the restart made it 4-0 before the Old Boys scored a consolation. The game was a personal triumph for Tommy Smith who played a blinder and scored a hat-trick, Everson also scored.
Hedworthfield (Jarrow) move to second place they won 3-0 away to Thornley Celtic. Their scorers were Alan Whalen, Alfred Reece, and Paul Errington.
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