Blackhill title hopes bleak

The Comrades have now only won two of their first six games and suffered their biggest defeat for many years when they were thrashed 7-1 by new leaders Stateside who were four up inside the opening ten minutes.

Brothers Andy and Chris Elliott scored two goals each along with Chris Connolly, Darren Watson and Jonathan Cummings with Craig Morgan on target with the Comrades consolation.

In Division Two, Annfield Plain Demi and the Peacock Inn both bounced back from midweek defeats to share six goals. Lee Carris, Paul Jarvis and Scott Lowerson found the net for the home team with Peacock hitting back through Brian Clarke, Malcolm Davis and Martin McDermott.

Division Three leaders Burton House, regained their winning ways with a 6-3 win at Delves United with Peter Maguire notching a hat-trick and Tony Stephenson two others.

Plainsman bounced back from their first defeat of the campaign to record a resounding 8-3 win at the Smelters Arms while the Hat & Feather were odd goal in three winners at the Duke of Wellington.

Stephen Boakes struck a superb seven goals and Tony Boakes four others as the Board Inn continued their climb up the table with a 13-2 home win over the Horse & Groom while Scott Sommerville scored twice in a 3-1 Prince of Wales win over the Freemasons.

There was mixed fortunes in the Durham Sunday Cup. Oxhill were 7-3 winners over Old Shotton Royal George Hotel. Chopwell drew 1-1 with Stockton Parkwood only to lose 10-9 on penalties while AK Leisure were just edged out 3-2 by Houghton Glendale.

St Ex-Juniors were beaten 3-1 at home by Darlington Shuttle and Loom and Scotch Arms received a 9-2 mauling at home to Chester Garden Farm.

Longhorn Hardware Darlington and District League: After just three weeks of the season only Killinghall Arms boast a 100 per cent.

On Saturday they travelled to Grey Horse and won 5-1 with goals from Andy Roberts (2), Danny Fleary, Gary Alford and sub Sean Rochford but again it was Keith Symcox who took the man of the match award.

If its goals you like Abbey Road was once again the place to be as Grammar School Old Boys and Shuttle and Loom served up a feast. In an evenly contested first half Shuttle went behind and then spurned the chance of a leveller by missing a penalty. However, just before the break, two quick goals from Chris Airey and Peter Wilkinson put them ahead. Old Boys equalised immediately after the resumption only for Terry Greenstreet and Darryl McElvanna to give Shuttle a two goal cushion.

Old Boys reduced the deficit from a free kick but Shuttle clung on to record their second win of the season and inflict Old Boys first defeat. Old Boys scorers were Steve Bolland, Mark Sowerby and James Gallagher.

A goal in each half from their man of the match Rodney Brown gave Albion their first win of the season against East End WMC for whom Lee Sinclair starred.

At Newton Aycliffe it was Archdeacon who led at the interval with a well worked goal finished by Anth Thorns. Subtitute Tony Cater added a second to put the Deacon well in command. However they were made to rue several missed chances as Aycliffe reduced to ten men following a dismissal went on the offensive and goals from Mark de Luca (2) and Lee Bonas secured the points.

Champions met wooden spoonists at Ferryhill and Post Boy were determined not to miss out on the opportunity to boost their goal difference and put 15 past their spirited opponents DSRM SC Reserves who manaed two second half goals in reply. Post Boy's scorers wre Darren Hewitson (5), Paul Robson (3), Jason Rothwell (2), Michael Seal (2), sub Adrian Jones (2) and Jamie Watson.

Durham Alliance: Brandon Station had a 3-0 home win against Durham Victoria Bridge.

They led in ten minutes with a goal from Philip Wilkinson. Gavin Bell made it 2-0 with a penalty after 20 minutes. In the second half Durham continued to press hard to get back into the game but could not break down a stubborn defence. Then conceded when Paul Ellis made it 3-0 in the 85th minute.

Sporting Club Sunderland entertained Cockfield, the only two teams unbeaten in the league this season. John Cairns had Sporting Club ahead with a fine left foot drive from 20 yards, Steven Rogers equalised for Cockfield in 35 minutes. Barry Cook had Sporting Club ahead again to give them a 2-1 lead at half time. Steven Rogers levelled the score in the 55th minute from the spot. Paul Mouat was sent off for handling the ball on the goal line. Sporting Club now down to ten men for the last 35 minutes found it difficult to keep up with a fit Cockfield outfit and went down with just five minutes to go through a goal from Mathew Dixon.

Birtley Town Reserves earned a point with a 2-2 draw away to Seaham The Duke who went 1-0 up through Ian Bell after 20 minutes. Kevin Lewins equalised for Birtley after 47 minutes then led when Lee Cutbertson hit the net in 60 minutes. In the last 30 minutes The Duke had all the play, trying for an equaliser, which came in the 80th minute from John Mitchell.

Simonside Social Club were thrashed 7-2 at home to Hartlepool Town the League champions, who were ahead 3-1 at half time with goals from Roy Allen, Adam Braithwaite and Stan Houseman. David Whelan scored for Simonside. After the break Roy Allen hit another three for the Town. Stan Houseman got his second. Gavin Burn replying.

Black & Decker, hosting Whitehill FC, left it until the second half of the game to take command. Gary Walling broke the deadlock hitting Black & Decker's first in 47 minutes. David Upton got number two in 60 minutes, David Torr in 70 and Mark Fleming again in 88, making it 4-0.

Coxhoe Athletic climbed to second in the League, beating Seaham Mallard at home. Barry Cougle had the Mallard in the lead at half time. Alan Tolley spoiled Mallards chance of keeping the lead when he hit them with a hat-trick in ten minutes from the start of the second half. Scott Richards made it 4-1 after 50 minutes. Barry Cougle scored his second for the Mallard in 57 minutes. Tolley hit another for Coxhoe before Stephen Barnaby got number six in 85 minutes.

Belford House went down 1-0 at home to Shildon Railway, despite playing some good football throughout and being unable to get the goal that mattered. Even down to ten men for the last 40 minutes with a player sent off for a professional foul, Belford thought they were in with a chance of getting a result. Then came the sucker punch when Kevin Hamilton hit the net for Shildon in 80 minutes.

Springwell Village earned their first win of the season by hitting Ebchester for six. Mark Kirtley and Ian Davidson had them 4-0 up in the first half with two goals each. Michael Thompson got number five in 50 minutes then David hill added to the tally on the hour to make it 6-0.

Emergency Services League: The season got underway with Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade joining the league with a very strong team.

They were national champions in the Fire Brigade Cup last year.

Sunderland Saints struck a surprise with a 3-1 win over Frankland, last season's runners-up. Mike Rossington scored on his debut, along with regular goalscorer Craig Murray and Les Goodliffe. Peter Anderson's goal would be of little consolation to perennial favourites Frankland.

Defending champions Easington got off to a good start winning 5-1 at Darlington. With 20 minutes to go Darlington had held their own thanks to a Kevin Wilson goals with one for Easington by Allen Richardson. As the home side faded, Paul Footes scored twice, Neil Robinson got one and an own goal sealed the points. Sedgefield struggled for points last season, but were glad to pick up one first match, when they drew 3-3 at Durham Fire. Paul Hardman, David Hardman and Simon Morley got the Sedgefield goals.

Tyne and Wear got off to a winning start, with a hard fought 4-2 victory at Durham HQ. Farrell had given Tyne and Wear the half time lead, only for HQ to score twice through twin strike force Steve Rooney and Tony Insall. The Fire team levelled with a penalty converted by Rea. Fitness told late on and the firemen won it with a second goal from Farrell and a goal from Dixon.

Langbaurgh ensured that the long journey south for Newcastle West was fruitless, beating them 4-1. Matt Lymer (2) Rob Walker and Andy Robinson got the home team's goal, with Paul Murphy picking up man of the match. Paul Makepeace was the visitors top player.

Stockton got off to a flying start with a 3-1 win over Derwentside. The home side scored first when a keeping error presented Fred McAloan with an easy goal. Gary Peacock equalised for Stockton. Two Noel Young goals in the second half gave the visitors the points, but Derwenside rued several missed opportunities.