Town begin year in form

Dave Smith put them ahead in 15 minutes with a shot into the top corner of the net from 35 yards. Kenny Mervin equalised for Durham after 21 minutes. James Parkinson made it 2-1 in 65 minutes with a solo run from the half-way line, slipping the ball past the keeper. Brian Littlewood got the third after 75 minutes.

Spennymoor Black and Decker drew 2-2 at home to Sporting Club Sunderland. The score was 0-0 in the first half with both clubs creating few chances. At the start of the second half Spennymoor went ahead when Derek Cooper scored from 45 yards. Five minutes later, Stephen Cooper equalised. David Torr put Spennymoor in the lead again in 75 minutes. Then Stephen Cooper got his second to give Sporting Club the equaliser.

Seaham The Duke won the three points in a close encounter against Whitehill FC. Seaham's John Mitchell scored first before Gary Todd equalised only to see Michael Pittan hit the winner.

Coxhoe Athletic won 3-2 away to Simonside SC and were 2-0 up inside 34 minutes with goals from Alan Towney and Dean Smithson. Paul Jackson pulled a goal back for Simonside after 40 minutes. Two minutes later, Coxhoe went 3-1 up, Alan Towney scoring his second. Michael Ord hit another for Simonside in 72 minutes who then pressed for an equaliser without success.

Brandon Station travelled to Ebchester and trounced them 10-0. Gavin Bell hit four goals, Philip Wilkinson (3) Peter Hart and Stephen Chapel hit one each, the other being an own goal.

Springwell Village went down 4-1 away to Shildon Railway who went ahead when Doug Grant chipped the ball over the keeper's head. Will Swinburn made it 2-0 but two minutes into the second half Mark Kirtley pulled one back for Springwell who then pressed hard. James Trotter for Shildon, the youngest player on the pitch, got a good solo goal after 57 minutes when he dummied the keeper to slot the ball home. In 75 minutes Steffan McGowan headed Shildon's fourth from a corner.

Seaham Mallard won 1-0 at home to Birtley Town Reserves, Steve Newby scoring the only goal.

Belford House had a comfortable win away to Garden Farm Real. David Turdy put Garden Farm ahead in five minutes before Michael Conner and Ian McDowell made it 2-1 to Belford at half time. After the break Belford hit another five, Michael Conner (2), Mark Green, Kevin Taylor and Grant Bulmer the scorers.

Monday

Seaham Mallard went down 3-2 at home to Belford House due to two late goals from Belford in the last eight minutes of the game. Johnathan Rennoldson put Mallard ahead after five minutes. John Wardropper equalised for Belford in 25 minutes, a minute later Barry Cougle had the Mallard in the lead again. In the second half The Mallard were not troubled until Belford got a penalty in the 82nd minute, John Wardropper made it 2-2. In 87 minutes David Scott hit the winner for a 3-2 win to Belford.

Whitehill FC thrashed Shildon Railway 8-2 at home. They were in the lead at half time by four goals to one. James O'Brien, Kevin Coats, Davy Gray and Gary Todd the scorers. Doug Grant replied for Shildon. In the second half Whitehill's goals were scored by Graham Carr, James O'Brien, Gary Robson and Ian Proctor, with Kevin Hamilton getting Shildon's second.

Coxhoe Athletic made it two wins out of two with a 3-0 win at home to Spennymoor Black and Decker. Alan Tolley put them in the lead in 35 minutes. Dean Smithson made it 2-0 just before half time with a 30 yard screamer into the top of the net. Gary O'Hara sealed it with a penalty in 80 minutes.

Ebchester FC beat Durham Victoria Bridge 7-0 at home. Mark Turner destroyed Durham by hitting six of the goals. Two in the first half and four in the second. Neil Swainston got the other.

Cockfield without a fixture on Saturday went to Brandon Station and had a comfortable 3-0 win. Richard Burn, Steven Rodgers and Andrew Singlewood scoring their goals in the second half.

Seaham The Duke made it two wins out of two when they travelled to Simonside for a 3-0 win. They were 1-0 up in the first half, Craig Price scoring in 28 minutes. Michael Appleby made it 2-0 after 46 minutes with Dean Anderson getting the third in 72 minutes.

Springwell Village went down 4-2 at home to Sporting Club Sunderland. Dave Murray put Springwell ahead in ten minutes. John Parry and Stephen Jackson replied for Sporting Club in the first half. Mark Kirtley equalised for Springwell in 60 minutes before Paul mount and John Parry got another two for Sporting Club.

Wednesday

Durham Victoria Bridge went down 7-1 at home to Whitehill FC this being their third defeat conceding 17 goals. Graham Cook got a hat-trick for Whitehill, Gary Robson (2), Ian Proctor and Ellis Hall the others. Daren Burnham got Durham's consolation goal.

Sporting Club Sunderland drew 1-1 at home giving their visitors Belford House a shock with their skilful football. Belford took the lead in five minutes through Kenny Taylor. Sporting Club doing all the pressing managed to get an equaliser in the 75th minute. Gavin Greener the scorer.

Birtley Town Reserves won 3-0 at home to Ebchester FC scoring their goals in the last ten minutes of the game. Chris Stewart getting two of the goal and James Wright the other.

Spennymoor Black & Decker won 5-2 at home to Shildon Railway. Spennymoor's goals were scored by Mark Fleming, Michael Hodgson, Gary Walling, Martin Reid and Wayne Collins. Chris Strong and Dave Grant replied for Shildon.

Seaham Mallard won 4-3 at home to Simonside SC, with goals from Barry Cougle three and Steve Pyburn. Gary Stevenson and Gavin Burns (2) replied for Simonside.

Hartlepool Town were fortunate to come out on top against Coxhoe Athletic. Scott Cartwright put Hartlepool ahead in five minutes befre David Millburn levelled. Gary O'Hara missed a penalty for Coxhoe just after the break, and they paid the penalty for the miss as Michael Ross hit Hartlepool's winner in 58 minutes.

Stepy's Coaches Durham Sunday League Sunday

Ithe Durham Driveways Trophy preliminary round a hat-trick from Hewson and two from Scott Heslop gave Ouston Red Lion a 5-4 win at Waterhouses.

A goal each from Andrew Brooks and Richard Knott was not enough for the Pot and Glass as they lost 4-2 at Chilton Lodge. Billy Swinburn scored four along with one from Chase McMullen to put Newton Aycliffe Wmc into the next round 5-0 at the expense of visitors The Britannia Inn. Ferryhill WMC needed penalties to progress, the scores standing at 1-1 after extra time. Shaun Graham for Ferryhill and Greg Chapman for Langley Park Wmc. Ferryhill winning 3-2 on penalties. New Herrington Flighters were 6-5 winners at Pelton Fleece.

In the Premier Division leaders Murton Village Inn were 2-1 winners over second-placed Burnmoor Cricket Club, Bob Wright and Lee Dixon the marksmen. Fishburn WMC travelled to the North Biddick and earned a point in the 2-2 game, Graham Kime and Andrew Howarth on the score sheet. Tony Hanson scored two of the goals for the Brancepeth Castle as they were 3-1 winners over visitors Admiral Heating, Chris Baxter adding the third. Pelton recorded their first win off the season against promoted Sedgefield St Edmunds 3-1, Tony Healer (2) and Chris Moody for Pelton and Simon Barker for Sedgefield. In a high-scoring game in the Premier Division saw last season's champions Hetton Lyons Cricket Club win 6-0 at Coxhoe WMC, scoring were Jason Ainsley (2) Ian Dixon, Alan Dormund, Niel Burns and Andrew Bowes.

In this season's All-England FA Sunday Cup Hetton Lyons Cricket Club have been drawn at home to Oakenshaw from Yorkshire on Sunday, October 6 (2pm) at Eppleton CW. Sherburn Lambton Arms were 8-1 winners at Newton Hall.

In the First Division leaders Garden Farm were 4-0 winners over visitors Belmont Sportsmans Arms. A goal each from Ian Pattinson and Mark Rutter was not enough to prevent Washington Sports from crashing to a 5-2 defeat at Lumley Sports.

Goals from Billy Kantib (2), Paul Russell (2), Joe Beeston, James Cooney and Ian McDowell gave Sunderland Lakeside a 7-4 Home win over Kelloe WMC. Newly-promoted Glendale Social were 3-0 winners at Hetton New Inn, Steven Embleton scored a consolation for Witton Gilbert WMC in the 3-1 defeat at Sacriston WMC.

In the Division Two derby at Washington the honours were shared between the Highwayman and Dunlop Tyres 2-2. Steve Cuthbertson (2) for the Highwayman and Gary McCartney (2) for Dunlop. Esh McKennas were 7-0 winners at Washington Arms. Newton Hall Jovial Monk entertained Houghton Mill All Stars and Jovial Monk scored midway through the first half before Houghton Mill equalised through Paul Mash just before the half time break. Jovial Monk scored ten minutes into the second half to lead 2-1.

Then, with 60 minutes gone Houghton Mill introduced 16-year-old substitute Andrew Slater.

Within two minutes of entering play he collected a long pass 20 yards from goal, controlled it with one touch and volleyed past the Jovial Monk defenders into the roof of the net with his second touch to make it 2-2.

Mill centre forward Steve Fenn scored a hat-trick in the final ten minutes of the game to make Mill 5-2 winners.

A goal from Darren Burnham was not enough for Ushaw Moor Cricket Club as they were beaten 3-1 at Durham City WMC.

In the Fourth Division Chester Horners were 6-1 winners over visitors Langley Park Social, Brandon Sports won 4-1 at Burnmoor Dun Cow, and Bearpark were 5-2 winners over visitors Witton Gilbert White Tunn.