Coundon comeback to sweep aside Spraire

In the First Division Cup the performance of the day belonged to Coundon Foresters, who booked there place in the last four with a 7-4 victory over Spraire RA. Coundon dominated the early part of the game but it took 20 minutes before Lee Ellison broke the deadlock, but Spraire soon hit back with Danny Richmond levelling the scores, the visitors then took control of the game, and with mistakes in the Coundon defence Andrew Wetherall put them in front and when Andrew Blenkham added a third the visitors went into the break 3-1 ahead.

Coundon came out after half time looking more like the cup holders, but another defensive error gave Andrew Wetherall his second of the game and Spraire a 4-1 lead, then with the half time blast from their manager, Coundon turned the game around, Norman Foster pulled one back and with Lee Ellison completing his hat-trick the home side pulled game back to 4-4. Coundon making good use of subsitutions took hold of the game Adam Reid came off the bench to put the home side 5-4, with man of the match Lee Ellison taking his personal total to five with one of the goals being a superb solo effort, Coundon completed a remarkable comeback to reach the last four with a 7-4 victory.

In the semi final they will meet Newton Ayclife Sports Club who booked their place with a 6-0 over The Northern Echo, with both sides playing some good passing football, Aycliffe showed the difference in front of goal as the Echo created but failled to put away their chances, with man of the match Wayne Anderson the visitors scored three times in each half, to show the Echo how to finish Ray Stanger with two, a goal from the excellent John Shotton and a hat-trick from Andrew Turner, the Sports Club deservedly took their place in the semi final.

The other semi final will be between Hurworth Albion and Bishop Auckland Cricket Club, two teams promoted from the second division last season, the Albion over came East End 4-2, although East End took the lead through an own goal, Hurworth equalised through Simon Middlemass, who went on to complete a hat-trick which included a penalty, after the visitors had missed an earlier spot kick, John Wray scored the clubmens second goal, a goal from Stephen Bell saw Hurworth through. In the other quarter final a close game saw the Cricket Club over come Central WMC 3-2.

In the Second Divison Cup AFC Orange ran out 4-1 winners over Sadberge, the home side started well and were 1-0 after ten minutes with a fine volley from Steven Sturman, and that remained the differnece between the teams until the break. In the second half Sadberge equalised through Andy Pickover, this was the wake up call for Orange and the home side picked up their game, Martin Allison put them ahead, Sturman notched his second of the game and Chris Wardell made it 4-1 to put the game beyond the visitors. In the semi final they will face The All Stars who beat Yates Wine Lodge 5-1. The other two teams through are Killinghall Arms who beat the Green Dragon 6-2, with Mike Brough and Kev Marshall on the score sheet for visitors. Killinghall will face Bishop Auckland Derby who beat Canney Hill 3-1.

Back to league action with the third Division with Pepper Draughting Services continuing their 100 per cent record with a 9-0 victory over Sherwoods, now nine wins out of nine with a goal difference of plus 74. If anyone is going to run them close it will be FR Aviation who recorded their seventh win of the season. Haughton BAT provided stern opposition of Aviation, and a single goal from the prolific Stephen Thompson, was the difference between the two sides at the break, in the second half the home team had their goalkeeper Briggs to thank for keeping them in the game as Haughton pushed for an equaliser, the breakthrough came when Paul Edwards, headed home, in the last ten minutes both sides went for the win, but it was left to the home sides captain Carroll to fire home from 25 yards giving a 2-1 victory to FR Aviation.

Hope Inn were top scorers of the day with a 10-1 victory at Emcor, Alex Wright scored for the home side, but goals from Nathan Kemp, Stu Hardy and two apiece from Steve Stephenson, Graham Wedge, Trenton Hewitt and Stu Ward, gave a comfortable win for the Hope. Axa Insurance and Drinkfield United fought a five goal thriller with Axa going down by the odd goal, for the fourth time this season. Axa took the lead through Alan Percival, Drinkfield levelled with a 25 yard effort from Carl Eeles. Drinkfield then imposed themselves on the game and Craig Wright put them ahead. After the break Axa put Drinkfield under constant pressure but were unable to make a break through, as Axa pushed on the visitors broke away and Arron Radstock put them 3-1 in front, the home team pulled a goal back with a diving header from skipper Chris Elliott, but it was too little too late.

Pizza Perfekt overcame a spirited display by Newton Cap by 8-2, Michael Weston put the away team in front, but Newton Cap came back to equalise before half time through Peter Elliott. In the second half the Pizzaboyz got off the the Perfekt start when Weston scored his second of the game, the home team came under intense pressure but a fine display by man of the match Shaun Hunter in the Cap goal kept his side in the game and in fact Cap drew level with a Paul Fox header. This sparked Pizza Perfekt into life and they added six further goals without reply, Weston completing his hat-trick, and two from Liam Coleman and Andrew McCormick and one from Ian Wake.

Smith and Allan came close to getting their first points of the season after a goalless first half against Aruba Gareth Hodgson put them in front, only for Richard Bestford and James Merritt to claim the points for Aruba.

The Falchion returned to winning ways with a 4-2 victory against the Cricketers, Gary Tibbett scored his first of the season for the Falchion, but the Cricketers hit back with a goal from Andy Cole. Mike Layton then gave the lead back to the Cricketers, he then added a second with a fine solo effort and completed his hat-trick after some good work by Dean Bates, the Cricketers got their second through Mark Jenkinson, but the Falchion held on for three well earned points.

The Royal Oak proved too much for a depleted Middleton St. George team, the visitors took a three goal lead through Stu Boughen and a double from Mike Donnelly, the home side pulled one back through Mark Evans, but were unable to create any more openings as Royal Oak won 3-1.

Division One Cup semi-finals

Hurworth Albion v BA Cricket Club, Coundon Foresters v NA Sports Club. To be played on Sunday, November 3.

Division Two Cup semi-finals

AFC Orange v All Stars, Killinghall Arms v BA Derby. To be played on Sunday, October 27.

Division One

P W D L F A Pts GD

Coundon Forresters 5 5 0 0 31 9 15 22

Nestfield Club 6 5 0 1 17 12 15 5

N Aycliffe Sports Club 5 3 1 1 25 11 10 14

Shuttle and Loom 5 3 0 2 12 8 9 4

Hurworth Albion 5 3 0 2 12 9 9 3

BA Cricket Club 5 3 0 2 17 20 9 -3

Spraire RA 4 2 1 1 22 7 7 15

East End WMC 4 2 0 2 10 8 6 2

The Northern Echo 6 2 0 4 18 28 6 -10

Brinkburn 4 0 0 4 9 14 0 -5

Central Club 6 0 0 6 7 22 0 -15

* N Aycliffe Iron Horse 3 0 0 3 3 35 -3 -32

Division Two

P W D L F A Pts GD

All Stars 7 7 0 0 46 8 21 38

AFC Orange 7 5 1 1 18 7 16 11

Killinghall Arms 4 4 0 0 21 6 12 15

BA the Derby 5 3 0 2 17 11 9 6

Grey Horse 6 3 0 3 19 15 9 4

Royal British Legion 5 1 2 2 15 18 5 -3

Copper Beech DCS 6 1 2 3 9 18 5 -9

Canney Hill 6 1 1 4 8 15 4 -7

Green Dragon 5 1 1 3 5 23 4 -18

*Jack Horners 4 2 0 2 7 13 3 -6

Yates Wine Lodge 6 1 0 5 12 33 3 -21

Sadberge DL 5 0 1 4 13 23 1 -10

Division Three

P W D L F A Pts GD

Pepper Draughting 9 9 0 0 79 5 27 74

FR Aviation 9 7 1 1 32 12 22 20

Hope Inn 9 7 0 2 49 22 21 27

Pizza Perfekt 10 5 3 2 41 18 18 23

Middleton St George 8 5 1 2 36 14 16 22

Falchion 8 5 1 2 38 18 16 20

Haughton 10 5 1 4 36 27 16 9

Drinkfield United 9 4 1 4 20 23 13 -3

Cricketers 10 4 1 5 22 29 13 -7

AFC Aruba 10 4 0 6 18 33 12 -15

Royal Oak 10 3 2 5 30 31 11 -1

Axa Insurance 9 3 2 4 19 21 11 -2

Emcor 9 3 1 5 21 27 10 -6

Sherwoods 10 3 0 7 15 45 9 -30

Newton Cap 9 0 0 9 7 69 0 -62

*Smith and Allan 9 0 0 9 6 75 -3 -69

*Denotes three points deducted

Darlington Dalecom Church and

Friendly League

Due to Durham Minor Cup commitments the League was restricted to a single league fixture, this saw Darlington Travellers Rest and Hurworth Otter & Fish end all-square at 2-2, once again it was Otter who gave away a two goal advantage by conceding late goals, Otter kick off with only nine players but still took the game to Travellers, once up to eleven they took the lead when Dave Walker knocked in a corner kick, James Edwards scored one of his crackers fron 20 yards for number two, Max Ripley reduced the arrears and in the last minute Mark McGlennon hit the equaliser.

The League had four teams going through to the next round of the Minor Cup with some of the others being slightly unlucky. Darlington RA Youth accounted for Hartlepool Touchdown Ath. 5-2 with Darren Kokes hitting a brace, Craig Adamson, Dean Lawson and Mark Ralph the other scorers.

Two for Jonathan Hall and one for Craig Hancock saw Aycliffe Saints home 3-1 against Darlington Grey Horse. Simon Hares hit four and Paul Cleary three with one for Shaun Campbell and an own goal as Stillington The Royal overpowered Houghton Bethany Christian Ctr 9-1.

Darlington The Mowden got the better of Shildon Elm Road WMC 4-2 (the only two members from the league to meet).

Darlington GSOB were unlucky against Wearhead United, after having a player taken to hospital they went out 2-1 on the golden goal ruling.

Newton Aycliffe Navy Club visited Hartlepool Blacksmiths Stranton and were caught out early on but fought back before being beaten 5-2, Mark Silvester and Wayne Pratt scoring for them.

Darlington Skerne Park put up their best performance of the season so far in going down 5-2 to Sunderland The Torrens and a late goal saw Bishopton Hoppers Transport exit the tournament 2-1 to Felling Interpon Bensham Arms.

T M Disco Crook and District League

The league had considerable success when sides were in action in the Durham Minor Trophy. Evenwood White Swan led Darlington GSOB 2-0 but the home side came back to force extra time. The Swan went through with a golden goal after just two minutes of the extra period. Andrew Akers (2) and Dean Fox scored for the victors.

Wearhead United faced the GSOB Reserves. Two goals either side of half time from Gary Crampsie gave Wearhead the advantage. The home side pulled one back but a goal from Graham Walker earned the dales side a 3-1 win.

Malcolm McWilliams and Ian Woodhall both scored four in Willington WMC's 11-1 win against Chilton Wheatsheaf. Anthony Stewart, Peter Franks and John Nicholson were the other scorers in a one way game.

Crook White Swan visited Hartlepool Greys and earned a 5-0 win with goals from David Stewart, Darren Brown, Matthew Carrick and Darren Deuchars (2). Hartlepool had chances but found Crook keeper Brian Wailes in fine form.

Paul Bailes gave Crook Wanderers a half time lead at Sunderland Three Horseshoes. Wanderers went on to win 4-1 with second half goals from Lee Morton, Bailes and an own goal.

Two Crook league sides met at Tow Law where West Auckland Queens Head triumphed 6-2. John Dawson, Carl Jones, Wayne Dobinson, Anthony Bailes, Andrew Bowes and David Bowes scored for the winners. The Mart replied through Christopher Hail and Colin Boughey.

Bishop Rugby Club went down in a close match at Sunderland Gates. The home side won 2-1 with Ashley Hind on target for Rugby Club.

Chris Pounder was once again man of the match for Roddymoor but his side lost 7-2 at Sunderland Lambton. Roddymoor consolations came from Michael Watt and Stephen Winter.