Billingham remain top

Billingham Wanderers are once again top of the Premier Division. They defeated The Lord, Seaham 3-2 at home. The Lord, Seaham took the lead after ten minutes courtesy of Dave Jones and although the play swung from end to end very few scoring chances resulted. The restart saw Billingham slowly getting on top and it was no surprise when Mark Steel levelled the scores with a fine solo run through. Keith Corner then made it 2-1 when he out-jumped all to head home a cross from Keith Aldridge and the issue was more or less settled when Mark Steel made it 3-1 with his second goal of the game. Keith Robinson scored late on to make it 2-3 to The Lord, Seaham but the match had already been won. Bobby Scouse (ex 'Pools) had an outstanding game for Billingham.

All great players are entitled to an off day and ex-Darlington 'keeper Phil Owers had just that when he misjudged the flight of a corner and allowed Jim Wood to head home and give Seaton Delaval a 1-0 lead against Ferryhill Greyhound. Geoff Mason equalised for the Greyhound shortly before half time. After the restart Dave Mulholland restored Seaton's lead and Bobby Pearson made it 3-1 to settle the issue. Players worthy of mention were Seaton's Peter Saunders and Nigel Fawdon for the Greyhound.

In the Kenny Ball Cup, Mrs Hinks "Pirates" won 2-0 at home against Wearmouth. The first half ended goal-less with Kenneth Dufferweil missing a great chance of putting the "Pirates" ahead when he tamely shot into the 'keeper's hands from close in, but the same player made amends when he brilliantly nodded home a cross from Alan Stobbart to put the "Pirates" 1-0 up shortly after the restart. Alan Stobbbart also scored to secure the game by making it 2-0.

In the semi-final of the Ironside Cup Cleveland Bridge won 3-2 against Hartlepool Catholic Club. The Bridge were well on top in the first half, goals from Mick Nelson and John Dee putting them 2-0 up. The restart saw Marty Nichol putting the Bridge 3-0 in the lead. Pools now brought on three subs, Boylan, Waller and Philadelphia Douglas who pulled 'Pools back into the game. Lewis headed home a Lambert free kick to make it 1-3, then a corner from Gibbon was not cleared and in a melee, Tommy Storer toe-poked the ball into the net. Despite all 'Pools' efforts, the Bridge defence held firm and time ran out for 'Pools to lose 2-3 to the Darlington side.

Trimdon Veterans lost 1-3 at home to North Shields Vets in the Billy Lorraine Quarter Final. Trimdon although they never gave up trying just lacked the finish that North Shields had and finally had to admit defeat.

In Division II Barnard Castle Glaxo drew 1-1 away to Houghton Cricket Club to gain a valuable point in their fight against relegation. After a goal-less first half in which both sides had chances the Castle took the lead when Corby Waistell slotted a spot-kick. The game swung from end to end with both teams having near misses only for Houghton to draw level with a late goal.

Newton Aycliffe made sure of promotion as runners up to the champions the Barnes Hotel, by winning 2-1 away to North Shields Spring Gardens.

In Division III Durham C Strollers lost 1-2 at home to already promoted Consett Cricket Club who now need only two points to be champions. Durham led 1-0 at the interval courtesy of an Alan McGee goal only to lose out when Consett scored two goals to win the game in the last ten minutes.

In Division IV Thornley Celtic ended their league programme with a fine 6-2 win over promotion chasers Darlington Railway. Thornley looked like a promotion side leading 4-1 at the interval through goals from Colin Bainbridge and Graham Kay, a brace apiece, and after the restart still staying in command and scoring two further goals from Summerson and Stokesley to end 6-2 easy winners. Despite this setback Darlington still have a chance of promotion as three teams are promoted and they have four more games to play.

Darlington and District League

After an even first half Phil North put Speedy Hire ahead, but Martin Skopsey levelled. North and Aaron Radestock put Speedy 3-1 up but Greyhounds bounced back in the last ten minutes to level matters through Mark Bunker and David Abdale. DSRM SC put up stern resistance at RA Social and after 30 minutes there was no score but RA stepped up a gear and turned round five goals to the good. Rolling Mills reorganised for the second half and kept the score down to seven at the close. RA's scorers were Andrew Wedgewood, Gavin Rose, Andrew Weatherell with two apiece and Michael Weston.

Goals from Wayne Sear, Danny Thorns, Scott Shield and Michael Bland gave Rothmans a 4-1 win against Old Boys for whom James Gallagher replied.

Archdeacon led Albion by a Will Tuttie goal at the interval but the Deacon faded in the second half eventually losing out by 3-1 courtesy of a hat-trick from Gary Mitchell.

Saturday.

Archdeacon gained their first win since February 9 against Grey House. Will Tutte (2), Richard Tutte and Neil Blewitt were Deacon's scorers. David Palmer scored in the second half for Grey Horse. The remaining clubs were involved in the first round of the Kingfisher Finance Trophy and in a high scoring encounter at Abbey Road, Killinghall Arms moved into the second round with a 6-3 win against DGSOB. Mark Sowerby, John Hanratty and Matthew Yates were on target for Old Boys. David Barkley, Martin Gayles, Danny Hannifin, Andrew Roberts, Kevin Ashton and sub Danny Fleary for Killie.

Bowman Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League

NEWTON Aycliffe got their faltering season back on track last week with a thumping league win over Brandon.

Aycliffe had been struggling recently, with a string of poor performances and some less-than-convincing results.

But the reigning champions beat Brandon 12-0 last week to re-launch their title assault.

"I'm delighted that we've finally found some form," said manager Brian Scaife. "We started to lose our way a little in recent weeks. We were struggling, but the lads have bounced back and we have played some good football.

"Hopefully we're starting to make the leading teams look over their shoulders now. We're still chasing them and, although we've got games in hand, we've got to maintain this kind of form if we are to challenge them. But it should be an exciting run-in to the season and we're looking forward to it."

Paul Stevens scored a hat-trick for Aycliffe, while Russell Mercer and substitute Derrick Bradley both grabbed a brace. Mike Leighton, Darren Muncaster, Craig Evans, Dave Muir and substitute Martin Walker all grabbed one a-piece.

Meanwhile, current table-toppers New Masons also continued their championship campaign with a 3-0 win at home to Salvins - even with just 10 men! Mark Greenwood (2) and Thomas Louden scored the goals. Eldon Lane beat The Grand 3-2 thanks to a Nigel Kestle hat-trick - Mark Priestly and Simon Marshall scored for Grand.

Europa recorded a 1-0 win over the Royal George with a Mark Cairns goal. Europa also beat the Huntsman 5-0 on Tuesday night.

The Division Two title chase also continued last week as the main contenders both recorded wins.

Spennymoor Thorns beat Binchester Hotel 6-0. Mark Russell (2), Andrew Richardson (2) Julian Jordan and Keith Hirst scored the goals. Broompark Loves beat Locomotion 3-0 thanks to goals by James Richardson, Gavin Wood and Neil Bacon. Green Tree beat Binchester Social Club 2-1. Craig Burner and Darren Rutter netted for the winners, with Terry Little bagging Binny's only goal. Goals by Timmy Hutchinson, Adrian Brown and Chris Young gifted Two Blues a 3-2 win over Masons United. David Maughan and Christopher Strong scored for United.

Boot & Shoe beat Shildon Athletic 2-1 with goals by Trevor Dixon and Derek Davidson. Wayne Bell scored for Athletic.

Results round-up, Tuesday, April 2: Invitation Cup R2: Newton Aycliffe 2, Binchester SC 1; Royal George 3, B.Loves 5.

Invitation Cup QFs: S.Thorns 4, Shildon Athletic 1; Postchaise 0, Europa 4.

Thursday, April 4 - Division Two: Masons United 2, Binchester Hotel 1; Postchaise 1, Shildon Athletic 2; B.Loves 6, Pit Laddie 0; Thorns 4, Brawns Den 0; Black Horse 3, Green Tree 2.

Sunday, April 7 - Division One: Europa 1, Royal George 0; Horndale 2, Laceys 3; Grand 2, Eldon Lane 3; New Masons 3, Salvins 0; Brandon 0, Newton Aycliffe 12.

Division Two: Shildon Athletic 1, Boot & Shoe 2; Black Horse 6, North Briton 3; Green Tree 2, Binchester SC 1; Brawns Den 4, Postchaise 1; Loves 3, Locomotion 0; Masons Utd 2, Two Blues 3; Thorns 6, Binchester Hotel 0.

Remaining Cup games - Second Division Cup Final: Binchester Social Club v Broompark Loves (Sunday, April 28).

First Division Cup Final: Eldon Lane v Huntsman (Sunday, May 5).

Invitation Cup SFs: Brawns Den v S.Thorns, N.Aycliffe v Europa (Tuesday, April 16). Invitation Cup Final: Friday May 10.

B&A Trophy Final: Broompark Loves v Postchaise (Sunday, May 12).

League Cup SFs: Green Tree v Old Shildon, Royal George v Huntsman (Sunday, April 21). League Cup Final: Sunday, May 19.