The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League

In fact, only one game took place in Division One as Nestfield Club ran out as 4-2 victors over Central WMC.

Central took the lead early in the first through Stu Cottam, but parity was soon restored as Adie Weston notched a superb individual goal. However, Central took the lead once more as a mix-up in the Nestfield defence allowed James Shoulder to sweep the ball home. The ever-dangerous Garry Mitchell turned things round though as his quick-fire double put the home side 3-2 up before late substitute Lee Jenkinson wrapped the game up for Nestfield in the dying minutes with a fantastic volley from the edge of the area.

In Division Two, All Stars remain unbeaten at the top of the league following a 6-3 away win over bottom club Sadberge, whilst AFC Orange retained their place in second, although they had to overturn a 1-0 half time deficit against fifth place Grey Horse. Gary Donald put the hosts ahead at the break, but James Rochester and Jamil Albarq both found the net in the second half to give Orange the 2-1 victory. Meanwhile, Killinghall Arms kept up their impressive start to the season as they maintained their 100per cent record against Copper Beech DCS. The Killy opened the scoring through Martin Gaylas, but the Beech levelled through Alan Gowling shortly after.

However, the Killy proved to be too strong for their hosts, with Darren Fleary's superb strike re-instating the visitors lead before Mike Smith added two late goals to give the Killy a slightly flattering 4-1 victory.

Elsewhere in the division, Jack Horners picked up their second victory of the season as they beat Canney Hill 2-1. The Jacks took the lead early in the first half as Ian Knox fired home from the edge of the area, but it was a lead that they were unable to maintain for long as Canney Hill were back on level terms before the break. However, Neil Linfoot's header from a neat set-piece midway through the second half gave the Jacks a deserved victory, and with games in hand they are finally looking at moving away from the lower reaches of the table. In the only remaining second division game Royal British Legion finally notched their first victory with a stylish 8-1 victory over struggling Green Dragon.

In Division Three, Peppers Draughting Services showed their dominance as they raced to a 5-0 half-time lead against Royal Oak thanks to a first half hat trick from Michael Carter, following goals from man-of-the-match Lee Hammond and Dave Turnbull. The Oak had a glorious opportunity to get a goal back early in the second half, but Stu Boughen spurned a one-on-one opportunity as PDS 'keeper Anth Aslett saved his effort. That was to be the Oak's only decent opportunity of the game, however, as PDS turned on the class, with Scott Davison finding the target before Lee Hammond hit a further three goals and Michael Carter produced an outstanding four goal blitz to complete the 11-0 rout.

Meanwhile, FR Aviation remain in second place following a close run 5-4 victory over The Falchion. The Aviators were 2-0 up in the opening half-hour thanks to goals from Payne and Thompson, but The Falchion had levelled things up by the break thanks to goals from Mike Watt and Mike Layton. Less than five minutes into the second half The Falchion had completed a complete turnaround as Layton struck his second of the game with a fantastic free kick. However, it was a lead that The Falchion failed to hold onto for very long, as Metcalfe powered home Carroll's corner to make the score 3-3. The Aviators then missed a glorious chance to take the lead as Freary blazed a penalty over the bar, but Thompson soon helped him over his embarrassment as he eventually gave The Aviators a 4-3 lead.

Freary then made up for his indiscretion as he made the score 5-3, but Watt struck his second of the game soon after to make the score 5-4 to ensure that there was a nervy end for the Aviators.

Hope Inn remain in third place following their 10-1 victory over Newton Cap. Man-of-the-match Graham Wedge struck four for the Hope, whilst Dave Hubble (2), Danny Chapman, Duncan Maitland and Steve Stephenson all found the back of the net. Even goalkeeper Andy Moorhouse got in on the act as he struck his first of the season from the penalty spot. Malcolm Ryder notched the Cap's consolation goal.

Elsewhere, Middleton St George Cricket Club maintained their strong start to the season as they thumped a poor Cricketers side 6-0. Jamie Harwood started the scoring early in the game, and that was swiftly followed by a Mark Lockey thunderbolt as the Cricket Club took a stranglehold on the game.

However, a controversial penalty gave the visitors the opportunity to get back into the game, but luck was on the Cricket Club's side as the ball was struck against the cross bar. From then on, there was to be no luck involved though, as Mark Evans (2) and Mark Brischuk both found the net to move three points above their opponents and into fourth place in the league.

Haughton BAT are right on the Cricket Club's shoulder, however, following their 5-3 victory over Sherwoods on Sunday. Haughton came flying out of the traps as they moved into an early lead thanks to two quick goals from Karl Lockwood. Paul Edwards then added a brace either side of half time for Haughton, before completing his hat trick soon after Roy Applegarth had notched for Sherwoods. However, the visitors then notched two quick goals as Applegarth struck again, soon followed by a goal from Dave Armstrong to bring the score back to 5-3. Despite an increasingly shaky defensive display from Haughton though, Sherwoods were unable to get back on level terms as they slumped to their sixth defeat of the season.

In the remaining games in Division Three, Pizza Perfekt beat Smith & Allan 9-0 thanks to goals from Liam Coleman (4), Michael Weston (3), Matthew Smith and Kevin Wake, whilst AXA Insurance won their second game in a row as they beat AFC Aruba 3-1. Finally, Drinkfield got back to winning ways as they beat Emcor 2-1, inflicting the visitors second defeat in as many games in the process. Carl Reeves opened the scoring with a fine volley following a slick Drinkfield move before Aaron Radstock doubled the Drinkfield advantage as he slotted home a pinpoint pass from Chris Wilson. John Hughes managed to get one back for Emcor, but they were unable to find an equaliser thanks to a superb display from Paul Holliday in the Drinkfield goal as the hosts held on for all three points.