Six of the League's teams were involved in the Durham County Minor Cup and all came through with flying colours.

Castle Town S&SC had a long trip down the A19 to play Hartlepool Stranton Saints but the trek didn't prevent them from coming away with a well-earned victory. Shane Harrison was well on form when he gave the Social the lead and the same lad made it two converting from 12 yards. An injury to stalwart Derek Errington's head looked like the end of any further part in the tie but he refused to let this deter him and reappeared bandaged up to guide his side to victory when he set up Harrison for his third of the tie, meaning the match ended 3-0.

Gate FC lead at the interval 4-0 after Dave Newby beat the offside tactics to put the home side in the driving seat but Alan Ridley was not to be out done by his fellow striker and chipped in with a brace while Gary Tansey added a fourth before the break. On the resumption Wearhead FC had no answer to a rampant Gate performance and great header from a corner made it five, Steven Hutchinson being the hero. Chris Scott put the icing on the cake with a sixth.

Lambton Castle progressed into the next round after their match with Hartlepool Travellers Rest who lost by the odd goal in five.

Nissan Res cruised into a three goal advantage at home to Quaysiders from Hartlepool. The evergreen Steve Bryan putting them in the driving seat with the opener before Steve Scott added a second with a well-taken header. Scott was again in the thick of things when he made it three as the half time whistle approached. The second period was just like the first with the home side doing all the pressing which paid off with further effort from Bryan, the live wire forward was gunning for his hat-trick and it came with only two minutes remaining. Lee Skellend made it a great home win with a sixth.

Also notching six were Torrens who entertained Billingham. Steve Home laid the foundations with the opener and Dan Fafhang gave the home side a three-goal cushion. Midway through the second half a substitution was just about to be made and home was the unlucky player to be brought off, but just as the change was about to take place he was on hand to notch two more goals. Jason Knowles made it six at the death.

Sporting Club Res had to fight all the way in their clash at home to Byres Green who refused to give in, but two goals from Mick Conlon and a Paul Fenwick penalty followed by a Simon Scott free-kick steered them through.

Meanwhile, in the Premier Division the top two both won in their home fixtures. Gideons had a comfortable win against McCeess in a one-sided match, Paul Charters was again the McCeess hero between the sticks but even he couldn't prevent the leaders from netting 13.

Second placed Aquatic Sports had to fight all the way in their home game against last season's champions Hendon Grange the only goal of the game coming from Wayne Harrison.

South Shields Prince Edward shared the spoils in their game with Town End Farm WMC who went ahead with goals from Lee Brown who latched onto a defensive mistake to put them in front, another error made it two when Brown was alert to give his side a two goal advantage. After some stern words in the interval Prince came out a much better side and were soon back in the game with a effort from Mark Bonner, Steven Gibson made it all-square after rounding the keeper. Lee Brown went on to notch his hat-trick before a volley from ten yards by Mark Thompson gave both teams a point a piece.

In the First Division Mountain Daisy moved a little closer to the leaders after their win at home to Dolphin who struggled in the opening first half going into the break 4-1 down, Robson (3) and Phil Short the target men. The Dolphin tried to get back into the game but the Daisy held firm for the three points.

Murton Queen Vic moved out of the bottom three after a great away win at Three Horse Shoes who went behind when a Dave Collins free kick took a deflection to put them one up.

In the second half Andy Kirtly beat the offside tactics to level the match, and another mistake lead to the winner when a poor goal kick fell to Matt Brantingham who slotted the ball home to give Murton their second win of the season.

Two Touch kept in touch after hitting double figures against rock bottom Glendale Graphics.