The torrential weather that hit the region on Saturday evening put paid to several games in the League this week, with only seven matches escaping the weather.

Amongst the abandoned games were both of the Darlington Motor Factors Division Two Cup semi-finals, but the big story this week came in Division One where Newton Aycliffe Iron Horse have resigned from the league with immediate effect. The Iron Horse were struggling to attract enough players on a regular basis, and after being on the end of several big defeats have decided to drop out of the league before the situation deteriorates any further. As a result of their resignation Division One is now reduced to 11 teams and all league games involving the Iron Horse have been declared null and void, as reflected in the latest league table.

One of the games to escape the weather this weekend took place at Newton Aycliffe Sports Club after several people involved with the club brushed the excess water from the pitch in order to make it playable. The effort was rewarded for the Sports Club as they edged their way past Brinkburn 2-1 to move to the top of the first division. Andrew Turner opened the scoring for the Sports Club, but the Brinkburn got back on level terms almost instantly before Chris Postle's late strike gave the Sports Club all three points. It was a tough break for The Brinkburn who matched their opponents all the way, but it is results like that, which have left The Brinkburn in the relegation zone without any points.

Elsewhere in Division One, Hurworth Albion and Shuttle & Loom played out a 2-2 draw. However, the Albion will have been disappointed to blow a 2-0 half time lead after Darren Tate struck two fine goals in the first half.

The Shuttle have proved a tough nut to crack this season though, and substitute Stuart Curry got them back into the game midway through the second half before Michael Dutton brought the sides level from the spot after Kevin Baines was fouled in the Albion box.

In the only remaining first division game East End WMC squeezed past Central Club 1-0 after a very close game. The first half was very even despite few chances for either team, but East End gradually gained the upper hand in the second half as they came close to scoring on several occasions. Jimmy Morris finally broke the deadlock as he struck with 15 minutes remaining to wrap up the points for the hosts.

In Division Two, Copper Beech DCS beat Canney Hill 2-0 to leap-frog them into sixth place in the division - a result which has added meaning as the resignation of Iron Horse means that four teams could now be promoted from Division Two come the end of the season.

In Division Three, FR Aviation kept the pressure on Peppers Draughting Services at the top of the table following their 5-2 victory over Middleton St George Cricket Club. However, PDS are still two points clear at the top of the table despite having played a game less than the Aviators.

Elsewhere, a late goal from Andy Roote salvaged a point for AXA against Pizza Perfekt. The Pizzaboyz players and officials had to work hard before the game started in order to make the pitch playable, but that seemed to be the perfect warm-up for the players as Michael Weston gave them a 1-0 lead within the opening 90 seconds. However, whilst the Pizzaboyz controlled the early possession, AXA managed to get back on level terms against the run of play thanks to an unfortunate own goal. The Pizzaboyz were soon back on top again though, and Michael Smith restored the lead with a fine curled effort just before the break to give Pizza Perfekt a 2-1 lead.

Both teams struggled in awful conditions in the second half, but the Pizzaboyz looked to have done enough to win the game before a goalkeeping error let in Roote for the equaliser as the game ended 2-2 and Pizza Perfekt lost yet more ground on the top three.

The Northern Echo League Cup

Preliminary round draw: Pizza Perfekt v Shuttle & Loom, Sherwoods v Hope Inn, Drinkfield United v Newton Cap, FR Aviation v Royal British Legion, Jack Horners v Cricketers, Middleton St George Cricket Club v Grey Horse, AXA Insurance v East End WMC.

* All other teams recieve a bye into the first round proper.

Consett Sunday League

SIX of the best from Annfield Plain Cricket Club has seen them reach the dizzy heights of second place in the First Division.

Gone are the usual relegation battles this season and it was reigning champions Blackhill Comrades who became the latest notch for the cricketers.

The Plain spread the scoring around and had six different marksmen as they recorded their 6-1 home win. Gary Kay, Mark French, Mick McGee, Gareth Nelson, Steve Watchman and Steve McGough fired into the Comrades net and they managed to reply through a Paul Sawyer consolation.

In Division Two, Danny Gilbert's double strike was in vain as Annfield Plain Demi were soundly beaten at home 7-3 by Blackhill Cricketers. Goal machine Duncan McCullough struck another four goals and gained support with a pair from Barry Emery and a Mark McCluskey goal.

Graham Baldridge blasted a hat-trick and Mark Farthing two others as Freemasons enjoyed a 6-2 Division Three win over the Smelters with Shaun Campbell getting both of the visiting goals.

In the Consett Charity Cup, Matthew Rowley struck all four goals as Chopwell beat the Board Inn 4-1 with AK Leisure seeing off Dipton Bird Inn 9-0.

There was four goals from Andrew Gilmour as Consett Top Club beat Medomsley Miners Arms 8-1.

Stateside were too hot to handle for Tantobie and ran out 9-0 winners with Thomas Bushby scoring a hat-trick and Darren Watson two others.

Former Middlesbrough YTS player Gary Clark - who also had a spell with Doncaster Rovers when they were in the Third Division - was in devastating form for Stanley Towneley Arms.

Clark helped himself to no fewer than five goals as the Stanley side recorded an 8-0 win over the Duke of Wellington.

Leadgate Golden Lion needed extra-time before they saw off Lanchester Social 6-4. Both Mark Turner and Chris Soulsby scored twice along with Stephen Hind and Ged Price with Lee McVittie's double and goals from John Jackson and Paul Raisbeck in vain for the village side.

Leading scorer Gavin Rowell struck another hat-trick as West Pelton Highwayman eased past Horse & Groom 8-2 while Lintz Celtic enjoyed a similar size win at home to Blackhill Scotch Arms with both Rob Foster and Graham Johnson scoring twice.

Duncan Pearce, James Herron and Philip Butterfield goals saw Hat & Feather to a 3-1 win at Prince of Wales who replied through Mick Milburn.

Longhorn Hardware Darlington and

District League

Albion 10 v 1 DGSOB

After a promising start to the season Old Boys' form has fallen away dramatically and this was their sixth successive league defeat. Only able to raise ten men, Old Boys were no match for a rampant Albion who scored at regular intervals through Gary Mitchell (3), Adrian Weston (3), Rodney Brown, Wayne Carrick, John Banks and Kevin Baines. Old Boys' last minute consolation came courtesy of Mark Sowerby.

Grey Horse 1 v 7 Archdeacon

Grey Horse were another club to bemoan the lack of players, in particular a recognised keeper. However, an equally under-strength Archdeacon took control from the outset and demonstrating an excellent team spirit and some equally good football, opened the scoring with a 30-yarder from Neil Blewitt after 15 minutes. Michael Thraves (2), Anth Thorns, Paul Scott and Dustin Robinson added to the total at regular intervals and 16-year-old Michael Duffy rounded off the scoring when he ran 60 yards before lobbing the keeper. Neil Haase notched Grey Horse's second half consolation.

Hole in the Wall 0 v 1 Post Boy

Despite this defeat Wall's improved form was there for all to see and all that separated the teams was a second half goal from Post Boy's man of the match and player of the year contender Darren Hewitson. Veteran striker David Abdale matched Hewitson's performance for wall.

Killinghall Arms 4 v 2 DSRM SC Res.

Despite this reverse a young Rolling Mills side can take a lot of heart from the performance against the league leaders. Killie started well enough but unable to find a way through. Ro's enthusiastic rearguard but Rollys shocked their hosts when Liam Coleman put them ahead. Unfortunately, this resulted in Killie stepping up a gear and by half time they led 3-1. Killie increased their lead immediately after the resumption and Rollys managed to pull one back through John Nelson. Killies scorers were Phil Rennolds and Danny Fleary and Jamie Langburn was their man of the match.

N. Aycliffe 3 v 2 Shuttle and Loom

An even encounter saw Aycliffe lead 2-1 at the interval. Shuttle levelled matters but a late goal against the run of play won it for the death for Aycliffe.

Lee Bonas (2) and Nigel Gamblin scored for Aycliffe. Paul Soderman and man of the match Jamie Smith replied.