Wearside League

Birtley Town achieved their best results since they were re-formed a decade ago when they saw off Unibond League side Bishop Auckland.

And manager Dave Smith made no secret of his delight. "It was an unbelievable result for us. Let's fact it, we were the minnows, but we rose to the occasion and saw off the big boys."

Birtley, challenging for the championship, won through with an only goal scored midway through the second period. Paul Terrell was the scoring hero but Smith reckons the entire side deserves massive credit for their display.

"Before the match I told them not to worry and just go out and enjoy the game. Quite frankly, that's exactly what the team did although it is always better when you win.

"A pleasing outcome, though apart from the result was the fact that we have now kept clean sheets in our last six consecutive matches. The record extends to eight if you consider that the goal we conceded against Stokesley SC was from the penalty spot and the two in a game with Darlington RA were also spot kicks, so in open play we have not leaked a goal in eight games," enthused Smith, who along with his assistant Paul Forster, is in his second season at the helm.

Birtley, who in the previous round for the Durham Challenge Cup, defeated Hartlepool Reserves, now join Spennymoor United, Gateshead, Dunston Fed, Billingham Synthonia, Horden, Murton as well as Wolviston in the last eight.

"It was good for the club but equally it was a lift for the town. We are getting better gates and obviously a successful run in this cup against top opposition keeps us in the news.

"Obviously, I am very happy with our progress this season and my only concern is the possibility of a build up of fixtures at the end of the campaign.

"I am reasonably confident that we have a big enough squad to cope but we could be playing three matches a week," added Smith.

Wolviston, too, were in high spirits on Saturday. They defeated Albany Northern League side Whickham after falling a goal behind. Wolviston produced something special during the second 45 minutes and Andy Steele, in particular, was in devastating form. He rifled a hat-trick and there was then no way back for Whickham.

"Without doubt, it was a pleasing result. We have done okay in the league and are in with a shout for the title, but to see off Northern League opposition is a real feather in our caps.

"We are all looking forward to the quarter-finals and if we miss meeting Birtley Town there is a chance that there will be two sides from the league in the semis," enthused Wolviston secretary Keith Simpson.

Boldon CA, however, failed to make progress when they went down to a late goal by Billingham Synthonia's Mark Swales. The result left manager Norman Hunter and his players gutted since the South Tynesiders considered that they had given the Synners a good game.

"It was an absolutely brilliant performance by every player, I thought the game was pretty even and that we did not deserve to lose, but when they scored so near the end there was no way we could come back," said Hunter.