The preliminary round of The Northern Echo League Cup dominated this week's features.

However, there were very few giant-killing feats as only FR Aviation managed to take the scalp of a club from a higher division as they cruised into the first round proper thanks to a comfortable 6-0 victory over Royal British Legion.

Craig Graham opened the scoring for the Aviators after only ten minutes, and soon after he doubled his sides lead as he breached the Legion's woeful offside trap. The score remained at 2-0 at the break, but with the Aviators in complete control the only question was how many they would score in the second half. Ste Thompson continued his rich vein of goal-scoring form as he increased the Aviators lead from the penalty spot after he was brought down in the area, but the Legion then missed a great opportunity to get back into the game. Aviation goalkeeper Karl Briggs conceded a penalty almost as soon as they'd taken the 3-0 lead, but he atoned for his error by producing a fine save to keep the Legion at bay. Heads dropped as the Legion blew such a golden chance, and it wasn't long before Thompson made it 4-0 with his second goal of the game. Gian Galigari's cool finish then made it 5-0 before Craig Graham completed the rout, and his hat trick, after some good work from Carroll and Thompson. The 6-0 scoreline underlined an impressive victory for the high-flying third division side, but they'll need to be at their very best as they'll face cup holders and league champions Coundon Forresters in the next round.

Elsewhere in the cup, first division East End WMC showed the difference in quality between the first and third divisions as they beat third division AXA Insurance at a canter. AXA, missing 12 players from the outset, were always fighting a rearguard action, and after 20 minutes a fine finish from Jimmy Morris broke their resolve. East End WMC doubled the lead soon afterwards as AXA failed to clear their lines and Neil Godfrey smashed the ball home off the underside of the bar, and on the stroke of half-time Chris Scott's bullet header made the score 3-0.

AXA kept the score down and fashioned a couple of chances of their own in the second half, but only an astonishing miss from Neil Jackson, as he side footed wide of an open goal from five yards, prevented East End taking a 4-0 lead. However, the fourth goal did eventually come as Scott connected with another fine header midway through the first half, giving Dan Brown no chance in the AXA goal. Jackson then made-up for his glaring miss as he made the score 5-0 with a cross-come-shot that eluded everyone as it crept under the crossbar, and that's how the game ended for a luckless AXA side.

Hope Inn produced the biggest victory in the preliminary round as they thumped third division rivals Sherwoods 12-0, whilst Pizza Perfekt were also on the end of a mauling as they succumbed 9-1 to first division Shuttle and Loom. Chris Airey top-scored for the Shuttle with four goals whilst Paul Hutchinson was only one behind with three. Mike Dutton and Stuart Curry were also on target for the visitors whilst Liam Coleman struck the Pizzaboyz consolation goal.

Second division Jack Horners progressed into the first round proper thanks to a 3-0 victory over Cricketers of the third division, but it took 70 minutes for the Jack's to breakdown their opponents following a stale first half of few opportunities. Andy Vernon eventually broke the deadlock before Gavin Beagle's header made it 2-0 soon after. The Jack's were reduced to ten men as the result of an injury after they had used their only available substitute, but they still managed to wrap the game up as Neil Blewitt secured the Jack's victory.

In the only remaining preliminary round game, Drinkfield United thrashed fellow third division side Newton Cap 10-1. Man of the match Aaron Radstock top-scored for Drinkfield with 4 fine goals, but he was closely followed by Daniel Eeles and Carl Eeles who both scored a hat-trick apiece, whilst Shaun Hunter notched a consolation penalty for the visitors. The preliminary round game between Middleton St George and Grey Horse unfortunately fell foul to the weather, but the draw for the first round proper is now looking a lot clearer.

The re-arranged Darlington Motor Factors Division Two Cup Semi-finals were also on the agenda this weekend, but unfortunately the weather once more put paid to AFC Orange's game against All Stars. However, Killinghall Arms game against Bishop Auckland Derby did go ahead, and it turned out to be a cracker as the seven goal thriller was settled thanks to a golden goal in the first half of extra time. The Killinghall started brightly, taking the lead through a well taken Chris Jordan goal as they bossed the first half.

However, The Derby managed to keep the score down thanks to a combination of some poor finishing by the Killy and some fine saves by 'keeper Shaun Gallimore. The Killy were always looking dangerous though, and despite being pegged back to 1-1 early in the second half they managed to take the lead a further twice more thanks to two goals from Fleary in the second half. However, the Derby managed to bring the score level on both occasions before they broke Killy hearts as they took the lead for the first time with the golden goal which gave the Derby a 4-3 victory and saw them through to the cup final. Dale Jardine, Mark Foreman, Kevin McCormick and Michael Latcham were the Derby's goalscoring heroes.

With so many cup games being played, and several postponed games, only two league games took place. In Division One, Coundon Forrester's played one of their games in hand as they moved back to the top of the league with a 2-1 victory over struggling Central Club. Central looked content to play for a draw but looked as though they might produce a shock victory as Tony Stafford's goal opened the scoring midway through the first half. However, Adam Reid levelled things almost straight away, but Coundon couldn't find another goal despite their pressure, and when they did eventually find the back of the net it was ruled out by a bizarre decision by the referee. The second half was more of the same, as Coundon's continual pressure produced no reward. However, Keith Emmerson produced a bit of magic towards the end of the game as he chested down a mis-kicked clearance from the Central defence before lashing the ball into the top corner from 25-yards to secure a thoroughly deserved victory for the champions.

The only other game pitted the top and bottom teams in Division Three against each other as Pepper Draughting Services ran out 18-1 victors against struggling Smith & Allan. Michael Carter top-scored for the league leaders as he hit seven, whilst Dave Turnbull (3), Freddie Hall (2), Michael Jones (2), Dave Rumins, Lee Hammond, Gary Williamson and Graham Pepper also found the back of the net. Gareth Hodgson notched for a Smith & Allan side who were certainly brought back down to earth with a bump following their first victory of the season last week.