Orange at the double

This week saw the first cup final of the season as AFC Orange completed the Division Three League and Cup double as they beat fellow promotion winners Royal British Legion 6-0 in the cup final at Darlington's RA ground. The Legion started the game brightlyenough, but they found themselves both a goal and a player down within the opening ten minutes of the game as their 'keeper was given his marching orders for a crude challenge on Stuart Cottam to deny the Orange striker a goal-scoring opportunity.

Cottam got up and dusted himself down in time to take the ensuing penalty and set Orange on their way to a convincing victory. The Legion continued to battle away, but soon found themselves further behind as Cottam once more found the back of the net as he volleyed home Steven Walton's parried header to make the score 2-0. Orange had their tails up at this point and, after missing some good chances, it came as no surprise when Chris Wardell finished a fine move to make the half-time score 3-0.

Cottam latched onto a poor pass in the Orange defence to complete his hat-trick soon after the re-start, and Orange's fifth came soon after as Alistair French nodded the ball home from close range following a fine run and cross from Steve Sturman. The

Legion used their remaining subs in a vane attempt to get something from the game but, despite some good pressure, Stu Cottam notched his fourth goal of the game to kill off

their resistance after some fine work from Danny Ofosu.

Meanwhile, Newton Aycliffe Sports Club booked their place in The Northern Echo League Cup Final after they beat second division opponents Hurworth Albion 2-1 on

Sunday Morning. Arron Robson and Carl Black notched the decisive goals for the Sports Club whilst substitute Richard Hill notched for Hurworth. It was a result that capped a bad week for the Albion, however, as they were also pipped for the Division Two Championship on Thursday night in their title decider against Shuttle and Loom. Going

into the game The Shuttle required only a point to be crowned champions whereas Hurworth needed a victory over the Shuttle and also against Bishop Auckland Cricket Club in their final game of the season.

The state of the pitch didn't help, but throughout the game both The Shuttle and Albion produced some excellent football and created numerous goal-scoring opportunities. However, thanks to both defences being so well organised the strikers found it difficult to find any space to make the opportunities count. With time running out and the light fading Hurworth piled on the pressure as they looked for the vital winner,

but the Shuttle defence stood firm as they secured the point that they needed to take the championship. The two sides will meet again this season, however, as they will face

each other in the Division Two Cup Final on Sunday at Darlington's RA ground - a game that promises to be a cracker if their league games are anything to go by.

Division One also saw a big game this weekend, however, as league leaders Spraire RA travelled to Coundon to take on reigning champions Coundon Forresters. The Forresters needed a victory to keep themselves in the hunt for the championship following the

deduction of three points earlier in the season for failing to fulfil a fixture, but there can be no doubting the fighting spirit and will to win in the Forresters camp. They showed a

sign of what was to come when Kev Bromley struck a Spraire post with a first minute header, but, despite three excellent chances for the home side to break the deadlock, the teams went in level at half time. The second half started in much the same way, as the away side looked content to defend a point and maybe hit Coundon on the break.

However, their resistance was finally broken down as Forresters substitute Adam Reid found the back of the net in the 70th minute to put the hosts 1-0 up. Top-scorer Rob

Mazur then finished a fine move with ten minutes to go to put the Forresters two up.

Despite several missed opportunities - including a penalty miss for Spraire, that's how the game finished as Coundon move menacingly into second place, only four points behind the leaders with two games in hand.

Meanwhile, Speedwell condemned Springfield to second division football next season as they thumped their opponents 11-0. Tony Stafford top-scored with a hat trick

for Speedwell to take his personal goal tally to nine goals in the last four games. John Banks bagged a brace, as did man-of-the-match Paul O'Hagan. Roy Winter started the

rout, however, while James Shoulder, Chris Jackson and Anth Gavriel also found the back of the net as Speedwell continued their good run of form. In the remaining first division game, Team Scania and East End WMC played out a 2-2 draw.

In Division Two, Bishop Auckland Derby beat their local rivals at the Cricket Club 3-2 whilst Sadberge played out a 14-2 victory over Smith & Allan in their last game of the

season. Mark Grant top-scored with six for Sadberge whilst Daz Wilson, Liam Lindley and Andy Wilson all hit two apiece. Mike Hilary and Andy Picklow grabbed Sadberge's

remaining goals whilst Mike Longstaff hit both of Smith & Allan's goals.

In the only Division Three game of the week AXA Insurance moved above Newton Cap following a 4-2 victory which leaves the Cap second bottom of the league.

The league management committee would like to remind all secretaries that the final league meeting of the season takes place at 7pm on Wednesday night at the RA. Can all

secretaries bring player of the year nominations and any trophies that haven't been returned from last season.

T&M Crook And District League

The title will probably be decided by the result of the final game of the season between Earl of Warwick and Willington Cottles. Stanhope won again but appear to be running out of games.

Crook Wanderers had just ten men for the visit of Willington Cottles but they took the lead through Andy Morris after ten minutes. Goals either side of half time from Stephen Bradwell turned the game in favour of Cottles. Ian Woodhall ensured the points for the visitors with a third goal.

Earl of Warwick visited Wearhead and went one up through Peter Sedgewick. Stephen Blood made it 2-0 at half time before Chris Fairless pulled a goal back for Wearhead. The Warwick added a third through Andrew Sugden and stay top.

Rugby Club had most of the first half against title challengers Stanhope but failed to turn chances into goals. Stanhope showed up better in the second period and a goal from Darren Fletcher gave them the points.

Hathaway Auckland And District League

Cockfield needed just a single point at Brandon Station to take the title but any celebrations remain on hold after the Station inflicted Cockfield's first league defeat. Brandon were awarded a disputed first minute penalty but Gavin Bell missed from the spot. Stephen Graham netted either side of half time to give the Station a two goal cushion. Paul Dunn pulled one back but the Station held out for a good win to keep their own hopes alive.

Cup specialists Coxhoe faced Cleveland Bridge in the league and took the lead through Philip Lawson. Wayne Buckley equalised on the half hour and two from Dwayne Beagle gave the visitors a 3-1 win.

Black and Decker are showing good form in the subsidiary cup and an own goal put them ahead at home to DSRM. David Upton added a second twenty minutes from time before William Timms made the final score 3-0.

Richard Routledge gave Shildon Railway a half time lead against Quinn's Inn. Martin Smith and Doug Grant made it 3-0. The score flattered Railway though it would have been 4-0 if David Hansen had scored from the spot. Quinn's Inn had competed throughout and deservedly pulled back to 3-2 to leave Railway hanging on for the points.

Darlington Church and Friendly League

Ifirst of the League Cup semi-finals a tremendous game was played out between The Mowden and The Otter & Fish which resulted in a 1-0 for the lads from The Mowden. Richie Dodsworth scored the game's only goal from the spot. This was an excellent win for the Mowden as The Otter as challenging for the League title and The Mowden are 12th - but that is the magic of the Cup.

In the other semi RA Youth and Aycliffe Saints met and the result was a 3-0 win for the RA youngsters over a very determined Saints. The RA were good value for their win and, at times, played some great stuff. The goalscorers for RA were Mark Ralph and two from super- sub Mark Swanwick. The League Cup Final will be played at Feethams on Wednesday 01st May with a 6:30 pm kick-off.

As well as the semi-finals there was also a full League programme and Hydro won a cracking game 2-1 against Wheatsheaf Wanderers.

The Hydro scorers were Neville Richardson and Trevor Cooke with Christian Dinsley replying for The Wheatsheaf.

Another game where both teams were very complementary about each other was played out between Central Borough and League leaders The Three Tuns which resulted in a 6-4 win for The Tuns. The Tuns scorers were Lee Bonas(2), Paul Gibson, Mark Hallimond, Stefan McGowan and Stephen Hall with Chris Hall(2), Max Ripley and Ryan Sandwick replying for Boro.

Special mention must go to The Greyhound who went up to Deepdale and came away with an excellent 1-1 draw. This game was played in the best possible spirit with both secretaries pleased with the performance of their teams.

The Deepdale scorer was Lee McDonald with Mike Ryan replying for The

Greyhound. Another of the teams who took advantage of The Otter & Fish's cup game was The Royal who are now in a clear second place after a 3-0 win over Elm Road. This was another tight game which only swung The Royal's way after a double substitution at the start of the second half when they brought on schemer Mike Swales and forward Andy Westwood. This turned the game completely as Mike turned on the class, showing all his party tricks, and Andy scored two of his sides goals, the other coming from Paul Cleary.

SCA and The Navy Club played out a 3-3 draw in a game where SCA played throughout with only ten men which made this result all the more commendable. This was a game that was played at 100 miles per hour with tackles flying in from the word go on a bone hard pitch. The SCA scorer was Neil Atkinson with a superb hat-trick with Mark Sylvester(2) and Wayne Pratt for the Clubbers.

The final game to be played was between DGSOB and The Tap & Spile which resulted in a 3-0 win for The Old Boys. On top throughout the Old Boys deserved this win even though they had to work hard to break down a resolute Tap defence. The Old Boys scorers were Peter Grey(2) and Mattie Smith.