The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League

The first of the semi-finals saw a classic cup-tie between Hope Inn and Middleton St George Cricket Club, with the teams currently sat in third and fifth place respectively in the table.

The game started brightly for both teams, but it was the Hope that took an early lead thanks to man of the match Steve Stephenson. However, the score was soon level as Mark Evans struck after a sustained spell of pressure from the Cricket Club, who then took a deserved lead as Jamie Langburn rifled a free-kick home from just outside the Hope box.

Once more though the pendulum swung as the Cricket Club struggled to hold onto their lead, eventually succumbing to a Joe Kemp goal just before half-time as the sides went into the break with the score 2-2.

Stephenson added his second of the game soon after the break to edge the Hope ahead once more, but once more the Cricket Club pegged them back as Mark Brischuk struck an equaliser with just ten minutes to go. However, there was to be no fairytale comeback for the hosts, as Trenton Hewitt picked himself up to strike home a decisive penalty for the Hope after he was crudely upended in the final five minutes. Stu Hardy then struck in the last minute to eventually kill-off the Cricket Club's hopes as the Hope ran out 5-3 victors.

The second semi-final was much more one-sided however, as Peppers Draughting Services produced another awe-inspiring display in their semi-final against Royal Oak. However, the hosts failed to crumble as many teams have this season, and produced some good football in the first half, despite the 3-0 half- time deficit.

However, PDS's display of finishing was phenomenal, as they racked up a 7-0 victory by the end of the game despite the best efforts of man of the match Preston Slade in the Oak goal. Michael Carter top-scored with a hat-trick whilst Mike Boddy, Scott Davison, Dave Turnbull and Lee Hammond also got their names on the scoresheet.

Division One only produced two games due to several teams taking part in the Durham County Cup. However, one of those games saw Coundon Forrester's build a three-point lead at the top of the table as they beat second-placed Nestfield Club 6-3.

Meanwhile, Newton Aycliffe Sports Club remain tight behind Nestfield thanks to their 5-0 victory over Central Club.

In Division Two, All Stars remain the team to beat as they cruised past Copper Beech 7-0. Man of the match Darren Kokes struck five of the All Stars goals with Daniel Hanafin and goalkeeper Andy Price also finding the back of the net.

Meanwhile, AFC Orange remain in second, albeit five points behind the leaders, after their game against Bishop Auckland Derby. Mark Finn opened the scoring for Orange as he put a fine finish to a well-worked move, but parity was soon restored as Darren Dye took advantage of some sloppy defending in the Orange defence to make the score 1-1. Chris Wardell once more put Orange in the lead as he lashed home a loose ball following the Derby keeper's inability to hold onto an Orange free kick, but the Derby once more drew level as Kevin McCormick struck from the penalty spot just before half time. The second half started off much the same as the first finished as Jamil Albary coolly slotted home a right-footed volley to give Orange a 3-2 lead, but once more the Derby equalised, this time through Glen Thompson. However, Orange continued to press the Derby hard, and they finally secured a deserved victory as the impressive Wardell struck his second of the game with an exquisite over-head kick to give Orange the 4-3 victory.

Elsewhere, Killinghall Arms are still looking dangerous in third as they maintained their 100 per cent record with a 4-1 victory over Royal British Legion, whilst Grey Horse moved into fourth place following their 5-3 victory over Jack Horners and Canney Hill are up to sixth after they beat Green Dragon 5-0.

In the remaining Division Two game, Yates' Wine Lodge came out on top in their game with bottom side Sadberge. Man of the match David Pattison fired the Lodgers in front early in the game, and Chris Chadwick soon made it 2-0 before James Turbitt's exquisite lob from 30 yards put Yates' 3-0 up after barely 20 minutes. Chadwick notched twice more to complete his hat trick before the break, and Stuart Bell also notched as Yates' went in 6-1 up at the break. The second half continued in much the same way despite the entrance of several substitutes for Yates', as Chris Easby, Andy Salisbury and Craig Shaw all notched, whilst Pattison struck his second of the game as the Lodgers took a 10- 1 lead. Liam Lindley managed to strike his second of the game soon before full-time for Sadberge, but it was scant consolation as his side are looking in deep trouble at the foot of the table.

In Division Three only one league game was played, as AXA Insurance ran out 3-1 victors in their re-arranged game with The Falchion. However, it was Falchion who took an early lead as the prolific Mike Layton struck after less than 15 minutes. That was the wake-up call that AXA needed however, and it wasn't long before Alan Percival brought the home side level as he glanced his header past the Falchion 'keeper to make the score 1-1 at the break.

AXA then spurned numerous chances at the start of the second half before Percival notched his second of the game following some fine play on the left flank. The Falchion piled the pressure on as they tried to get back level though, and they felt hard done by as a shot smashed against the bar and seemingly across the AXA goal-line only for the referee to not give the goal.

However, AXA were still creating several chances of their own, and in the final minute new- signing Andy Roote finished the game off as he tapped home the decisive third goal for AXA.

* The league committee would like to remind all team secretaries that this months meeting will take place next Wednesday night, October 30th, at 7pm at Darlington RA Club. All teams are reminded to bring their £10 meeting fee.