The holders Billingham Wanderers are through to the Villa Real Cup quarter finals. They defeated the Killingworth Arms 3-1 away.
Trailing 1-0 to a Hodgson goal at the interval, they came good after the restart. Keith Corner scoring his hat-trick to settle the issue 3-1. It was an excellent team which enabled Billingham to take over and dominate the second half, two players deserve mention as both were outstanding, Colin Steer and Bobby Bishop.
Newton Aycliffe lost 2-1 away to the unbeaten Northumberland side Marden. Marden had the edge in the first half and led 2-0 at the break courtesy of a brace from Ian Chaytor. The restart saw Aycliffe's fight back, Tony Jinks made it 2-1 but despite all their efforts they just could not break through Marden's rock-solid defence.
In Division One, Ferryhill Greyhound won 6-0 at home to the Mason's Arms. The Pirates, lacking the guidance of their skipper Cap'n Flint, floundered and were no match for the Greyhound who were always in control, scoring three goals in each half. Marksmen were John Gibbons (2), Kevin Simpson, Willie Taylor, Dave Stephenson and Stan Cummings who scored his first goal in Over-40s football.
Langley Park Rams Head turned in a lack-lustre display losing 3-1 away to Darlington Croft. The Rams who have had a spectacular run of victories, started off in fine style and went 1-0 up when Raymond Dodd scored but complacency set in, and slowly Darlington came back into the game. They levelled just before the interval and then after the restart took over and scored two further goals to win a match 3-1 which the Rams should have won in the opening stages but failed to capitalise on and paid the penalty.
In Division Two, the leaders Hartlepool Catholic Club won 2-0 away to Barnard Castle Glaxo and are now 11 points clear of their nearest rivals. Pool refused to let the Castle settled down by playing attacking football and took the lead after 12 minutes when Stan Henderson scored direct with a corner kick, the flight deceiving the Castle's keeper. This early reverse completely changed the Castle's style of game and they were forced to come forward to score the equaliser and at the same time not leave themselves open at the back. The restart followed the same pattern of attack and defence but it was Pool who scored again when David Boagie went solo down the right wing, beat two opponents and then crossed for Henderson to slam home and score his second goal of the match and make it 2-0 and settle the issue.
The Touchdown Hotel, Hartlepool remain in second place. They won 4-0 at home to Consett Duke of Wellington. Lester Corkett shot them into the lead and just on half time Andy McMillan put away a centre from Archie Morton to make it 2-0. After the restart two subs came on as replacements (secretary and local cricketer) headed home across from Pinchin to make it 3-0. Then McMillan scored his second of the game and put the home side 4-0 but failed to score his hat trick when his spot kick was brilliantly saved by Consett's keeper.
In Division Three, Darlington Railway lost 3-0 at home to Wingate who move into third place to keep their promotion hopes alive.
West Cornforth did well. They forced a 3-3 draw away to a strong Darsley Park side.
Durham C Strollers lost 1-0 at home to Steels FC in a close game.
The leaders Billingham Town lost 2-1 away to the Marsden Inn. Marsden took the lead after five minutes through Alan Tooley, Billingham levelled shortly after the restart but in the closing stages Tooley scored again to give the home side a 1-0 victory.
In Division Four Crook Town lost 3-2 at home to second placed Houghton Mill Inn. Trailing 2-0 at the interval Crook went 3-0 down before they rallied and in a grandstand finish they pulled two goals back via Frank Robinson and Kevin Sanderson but could not get an equaliser despite huge pressure.
Wynyard Old Boys turned in a fantastic performance to defeat the Sportsman's Arms 5-2 at home trailing 2-0. In the second half they brought on subs and changed the game. Paul Davison made it 2-1 then Frank Bingham levelled. It was now all the Old Boys and further goals from Bingham, Davison and Tony Ozols made it 5-2.
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