n Ithe week of the Local Heroes Awards 2002, the league found its own heroes in Smith and Allan.

After two years, over 40 games and many 100s of goals conceded, they finally won their first game.

In a battle between the bottom two in division three, Smith and Allan got the better of Newton Cap in an 11-goal thriller, the Cap got off to a flyer taking a two goal lead, with goals from Steven Atkinson and Gareth Harbottle, but Stephen Todd pulled it back to 2-2 at the break, in the second half Gareth Hodgson put Smith and Allan ahead from the penalty spot, but the back came Newton Cap with three goals from Andrew Marley, Shaun Bell and Shaun Hunter to go 5-3 up but with the clock ticking, Hodgson completed his hat-trick and one from Richard Talbot secured the points for Smith and Allan.

Elsewhere in Division Three Pepper Draughting Services continued their march to the league title with 4-0 over Haughton BAT to maintain their 100 per cent record.

FR Aviation continued their promotion challenge with a hard-fought 1-0 win over The Cricketers, in a game largely played in the middle of the park, it took the FR Aviation until the second half to break down the Cricketers defence and although the had plenty of chances it fell to Craig Graham to put the ball home to make the difference between the sides.

The Royal Oak overcame Sherwoods 3-0, with Mike Donnelly's fine shot and turn to break the deadlock just before the interval, in the second half The Oak took control of the game although Phil McPherson in goal for Sherwoods was having a fine match, he was beaten by goals from Matt Dunn and a penalty from Stuart Boughen, it could have been a double for Boughen but his second penalty of the match was saved by the impressive McPherson.

Middleton St George had the best of the first half against The Falchion, but missed a penalty, to leave a blank scoresheet at half time, after the beak MSG piled on the pressure and eventually made the breakthrough when Mark Evans scored. The Falchion had some chances to equalise and finally got back in the game through a Mike Layton penalty, but this only made MSG push on again and Evans completed his hat-trick and John Sunter added another to make it 4-1.

AXA kept a clean sheet for the first time this season as the defeated Emcor 3-0. Taking advantage of the windy conditions AXA went 2-0 before half time with goals from Alan Percival, in the second half Emcor piled on the pressure and only a couple of fine saves from the home keeper David Robinson kept the Emcor forwards out, after soaking up the pressure AXA then completed the scoring with a goal from Dan King.

In a close game between AFC Aruba and Drinkfield United, goals from Craig Wright and Carl Eeles for Drinkfield were enough to take the points although David Holt netted for Aruba. Top scorers of the day were The Hope Inn who beat Pizza Perfekt 11-1, with goals from Paul Lowe, Steve Stephenson, Graham Wedge, Phil Sheridon, Stuart Hardy, Nathan Kemp, a double from Dave Hubble and a hat-trick from Trenton Hewitt. Michael Weston got the consolation goal for the Pizzaboyz.

In Divison Two, leaders The All Stars lost their 100 per cent record as the Jack Horners came away with a 2-2 draw. The Jacks took the lead when Paul Scott unmarked at the back post headed them into a lead which they held until the half hour mark when Damian Franklin, within five minutes Franklin had added a second with a long range volley beating Jack's keeper Ted Halstead, to give the All Stars a 2-1 interval lead, it looked like being enough to secure the points but with the Jacks pushing Andy Vernon up from centre back to centre forward, it was Vernon who found the net with two minutes remaining to give the Jacks a well deserved point.

Killinghall Arms kept up their 100 per cent start to the season with a well deserved victory, they took the lead through Danny Fleary after the Orange defence failed to clear, after sustained pressure Killi increased their lead with a well placed header from Michael Smith. Orange got back into the game with a penalty given away after Mark Churchman handled in the box and Martin Allinson converted. After the break Killi continued to pressure the home team's defence and stretched their lead when Smith notched his second of the game, Orange fought back and Mark Finn scored their second, but the away side finished the stronger and came out 3-2 winners.

Copper Beach DCS dominated the game against The Grey Horse to run out 5-0 winners, first half goals from Alan Gowling, Kevin Myers and Darren Riley were followed in the second half by goals from Jeff Coates and a second from Riley. In the two remianing games, Bishop Auckland The Derby and Royal British Legion played out a 3-3 draw and Yates Wine Lodge beat Green Dragon 8-3.

In the first division Coundon Forresters won well against Spraire RA with a 4-0 scoreline although without Paul Hardie in the Spraire goal it could have been a lot more. Man of the Match Keith Emmerson ran the show for the Forresters and goals from Curt Warburton, Darren Wilson, Kevin Bromley and another from top scorer Lee Ellison made it six wins out of six.

Newton Aycliffe Sports Club head the table with a hard fought 1-0 over East End WMC, with some good football played by both sides it was a Chris Postle goal that gave the Sports Club all three points. Despite a hat-trick from Graeme Bainbridge and goals from Paul Mansfield and Darren Stanley the Northern Echo conceded 12 against a well organised and hard working Nestfield team. Nestfield maintain their top three position as the front runners now pull clear of the other eight teams.

In the battle of the bottom two Central WMC got the better of Brinkburn in a seven goal thriller, goals from Scott Bowler and Stuart Alderson for the home side were not enough to keep them from slipping to the foot of the table as Darren Winter, Jamie Karim, Stuart Cottram and man of the match John Banks scored for Central. In the other game Shuttle and Loom beat Bishop Auckland Cricket Club 3-2.