Bowman Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League

NEW MASONS will clinch the First Division championship for the first time in five years if they win their final game of the season next Sunday.

The Shildon team, who last won the title back in 1997, comfortably beat current champions Newton Aycliffe 3-0 last week.

Then they beat Europa 5-1 last Sunday to all but rubber-stamp their title assault.

Only second-placed Old Shildon stand in their way of the championship - and a win would clinch it on their home soil next week.

Meanwhile, Broompark Loves bagged the first cup of the season when they beat Binchester Social Club in the Second Division Cup Final at Spennymoor United's Brewery Field last Sunday.

Brent Naylor and Gavin Wood grabbed the goals which clinched the cup - and the Loves, who are in the Division Two title race driving seat, are now hoping to bag a unique treble when they take on Postchaise in the B&A Trophy Final next Sunday.

"We're delighted to have won this trophy," said manager Ian Barrass. "It would be brilliant to win another and the Division Two title as well, but we're taking each game as it comes."

Barrass thought Binchester gave Loves a hard test last week. "I thought they played very well," he said. "It seemed to be 1-0 for ages, and they had a good chance which hit the bar, but we luckily managed to hold on and then we scored again. Now we look forward to next Sunday's final!"

Binchester SC's Secretary Steve Sutton said: "I thought the lads played well and we all enjoyed the day on the whole. It was a close game and we were obviously disappointed to have lost. I thought we matched them throughout the game, but they scored their chances when they came along and we didn't."

Meanwhile, Huntsman will play Eldon Lane in the Division One Cup Final this Sunday at Brewery Field, kick-off 10.30am.

Europa play Spennymoor Thorns in the Invitation Cup Final next Friday (May 10), kick-off 6.30pm, which is followed by the B&A Trophy Final between Loves and Postchaise next Sunday (May 12).

The last final - the League Cup - between Old Shildon and Huntsman will be played on Sunday, May 19.

As with all finals, admission is free and drinks are available from the clubhouse.

In Division One last week, Newton Aycliffe recovered from their 3-0 defeat to beat Laceys 9-1, while Eldon Lane beat Huntsman 2-1. Old Shildon beat Salvins 4-2.

* The league's end-of-season presentation night will be held at Newton Aycliffe WMC on Friday June 7. Any clubs wanting tickets can contact Chairman Brian Boughen on 01388 811874 or Secretary Mike Clarke on 07736 800604.

Resullts round-up - Tuesday, April 23 - Division One: Royal George 0, Europa 0; New Masons 3, Newton Aycliffe 0.

Division Two: Broompark Loves 2, Two Blues 1.

Thursday, April 25 - Division Two: Boot & Shoe 0, Broompark Loves 4; Thorns 4, Postchaise 1; Masons Utd 2, Pit Laddie 2; Locomotion 0, Binchester SC 4; Brawns Den 3, Black Horse 3; Shildon Athletic 3, Binchester Hotel 1; Green Tree 2, Victoria 2.

Sunday, April 28 - Division Two Cup Final: Binchester SC 0, Broompark Loves 2.

Division One: Newton Aycliffe 9, Laceys 1; Europa 1, New Masons 5; Huntsman 1, Eldon Lane 2; Salvins 2, Old Shildon 4.

Division Two: Postchaise 2, Pit Laddie 1; Binchester Hotel 1, Brawns Den 3.