PHILLIP APPLEBY bagged a hat-trick to book Old Shildon a place in the semi-finals of the First Division Cup.

Old Shildon, current holders of last year's League Cup, are vying for glory this year after aining a third-spot finish in the top flight last season.

And they're now in with a glorious chance of clinching a Division One Cup Final spot after comfortably fending off The Grand.

"It was a comfortable victory," said Shildon Secretary Sharon Hedley. "But then they began the game with only nine men. But with Aycliffe out of the competition, this provides us with a great opportunity to progress to the final."

Appleby, John Poulter (2), James Hedley, Thomas Louden and Robert Wilson completed Grand's misery, with Graham Clarkson and David Matcalfe grabbing their consolations.

Aycliffe were beaten 5-3 by current holders of the trophy Lakeisde. In a strange, ill-tempered game, Dean Pearson scored two for Aycliffe and Jason Wing one, while Marc De Lucia (2), Andy Clay, Dave Welsh and Martin Walker scored for the Lakeside.

"It was a very scrappy game," admitted Lakeside manager Stuart Hodgson. "Both sides were learly out for the win and unfortunately, at times, tempers frayed from both sides. It probably spoiled what probably would have been a good game of football, but we're obviously pleased to progress to the next round."

Elsewhere in the Division One Cup, a hat-trick by the prolific Mark Russell ensured Thorns on to a 3-2 victory over Tudhoe United. Carl Wilson and Billy McClacklan scored for Tudhoe.

Beehive's game with Brandon was postponed, so the semi-finals make up: Old Shildon, Lakeside, Thorns and Beehive or Brandon.

Meanwhile, in the Division Two Cup, Martin Longthorne grabbed a hat-trick to seal a 3-2 win for Victoria over Binchester Hotel. Shawn Havieside and David Parker netted for Binny.

Postchaise beat Eldon Arms 3-2 - goals by Stuart Beattie, Paul Walton and Phil Dowd ensured that. Alan Barratt and Andrew Sams scored for the Arms.

Two Blues and Horndale played out a 0-0 draw after extra-time, but Horndale clinched a semi-final place with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out. The semis consists of: Victoria, Horndale, Brawns Den and Postchaise.

In Division Two last week, a quite extraordinary result took place when Green Tree played Masons United. No less than 15 goals scored - with one goal between them.

Scorers for Green Tree were Matt Carrick (4), Barry Liddle (3) and Andrew Walton, while five goals by David Maughan - bizarrely, no man-of-the-match award - and one each by Wayne Mundy and Neil Quigly were United's efforts.

Elsewhere, Shildon Athletic beat North Briton 2-1 with goals by Jamie Scaife and Jeff Fieldson. David Teddar scored for the Brit.

Results round-up, Sunday, November 10, Division One: Loves 8, Binchester SC 1.

Division Two: Green Tree 8, Masons Utd 7; Shildon Athletic 2, North Briton 1.

Division One Cup: Old Shildon 8, Grand 2; Aycliffe 3, Lakeside 5; Tudhoe Utd 2, Thorns 3.

Division Two Cup: Binchester Hotel 2, Victoria 3; Two Blues 0 Horndale 0 (Horndale won on pens); Brawns Den 5, Boot & Shoe 2; Postchaise 3, Eldon Arms 2.