Forresters make last two

The big game of the weekend was between reigning Division One champions Coundon Forresters and current top dogs Spraire RA. However, it's a game that has no bearing on the league table as it took place in the semi-final of The Northern Echo League Cup. It was Spraire that were quickest out of the blocks on Sunday as they caught the Forresters napping with an early goal from Richie Hindle. However, they were unable to carry that lead into the half-time break, as Coundon broke through the Spraire defence via a Shaun Hope strike to make the half-time score 1-1.

The second half started in much the same way as the first with Spraire taking the game to the Forresters, and Richie Hindle restored the Spraire lead with a fine header past David Brough in the Coundon goal.

Unfortunately, for the home side, though, the goal served to spur on Coundon, and it wasn't long before Kevin Bromley once more levelled matters.

Both sides then spurned good chances to add to the scoring before John Musgrove finally headed home to give Coundon the lead for the first time in the game. The victory was then assured for the Forresters as Lee Ellison's late strike saw them progress to the final after a 4-2 victory.

It is currently unknown who the Forresters will face in the final, however, as the other semi-final is yet to take place.

Newton Aycliffe Sports Club booked their place in that semi-final however, as they cruised past Nestfield Seconds 5-1 on Sunday to set up a meeting with Hurworth Albion in an encounter that will take place this Sunday.

Several league games also took place on Sunday.

In Division One, East End WMC moved above Newton Aycliffe Sports Club into fourth place as they defeated The Northern Echo 3-1 after an excellent game.

It was the Echo that took the lead, however, as Mark Scott finished a fine move to beat man-of-the-match Mark Scott in the East End goal with a fine header. East End stepped up a gear however, and equalised through Jimmy Morris before Chris Scott put the visitors in front just before half time. The second half carried on in the same vain as the first with both sides playing some good football, but a third goal for East End from Gavin Bell put the game beyond the home side.

Elsewhere, Team Scania beat Hoppers Transport 3-1 in a real six-pointer at the bottom of the league to leave their survival in their own hands whilst both Springfield and Hoppers must hope for them to slip up in order to survive. Meanwhile Speedwell found Brinkburn a hard nut to crack in a game between two mid-table sides with nothing to play for. Speedwell produced most of the efforts on goal in the first half but Brinkburn looked threatening on the break as the first half ended goal-less. Tony Stafford finally broke the deadlock for Speedwell early in the second half, however, and that lead was soon doubled as John Banks beat the Brinkburn offside trap to place the ball past Brinkburn 'keeper Darren Peacock at the second attempt. As the Brinkburn proceeded to collapse Shaun Collings made the score 3-0 with a clinical right-foot effort before Speedwell 'keeper Scott Wood produced a fine save to foil his opposite number Peacock from the penalty spot.

Anth Gavriel soon increased the Speedwell lead to four as he rounded the last defender and keeper before slotting home before Tony Stafford notched his second of the game to give Speedwell a hard-fought 5-0 victory.

In Division Two, Hurworth Albion followed up their midweek 11-0 victory over Smith & Allan with a fine 3-0 victory over third placed Bishop Auckland Cricket Club as they chase Shuttle & Loom for the title.

Wayne King handed the Albion the lead with a fine volley as the home side dominated the opening 20 minutes, but the Cricket Club came further into the game as the first half progressed and were unlucky to trail 1-0 at the break.

Hurworth took full control after the break, however, and Darren Wray notched a brace to put the game out of reach for the Cricket Club who are content with securing their second promotion in two seasons - a feat that Hurworth and Shuttle & Loom have also achieved.

Turning towards the bottom of the table, however, Greyhound and Northern Spirit were both consigned to Division Three football next season as Sadberge beat Northern Spirit 3-0 to move themselves out of relegation trouble. In the only other game in Division Two, Allstars beat Bishop Auckland Derby 3-1 to concrete finishing in fifth place following their promotion last season.

In Division Three only one game took place, as Royal British Legion defeated Newton Cap 3-2. Shaun Hunter and Neil Pannica both notched for the Cap but Trevor Cook (2) and Michael Meredith found the back of the net for the Legion to move them above Yates Wine Lodge into third and guarantee that they secured the final promotion spot of the season.

Emergency Services League

Easington continue to strive for the treble as they advanced to their second final of the season, having already secured one trophy. Their opponents in the League Cup semi-final, Durham and CLS were their victims in the other competition and they won this match just as convincingly. Their cause was helped by the opposition only having ten men. Two goals each by Neil Robinson and Vince Marriner secured a 4-0 victory. In the final they will meet Durham Fire Brigade who won their rather more tight semi-final.

They faced Derwentside for the second week running and repeated their victory, this time by 2-1. Steve Holcroft scored early for the Fire Brigade.

Kevin Maddick struck a post for the opposition before Derek Sirett equalised with his trademark chip shot. Simon Waggott got the decisive goal with half an hour to go. The Fire Brigade slugged it out and indeed came closer to scoring than their opponents. Frankland stay top in the League with a seven-goal blast over beleagured Sedgefield. Peter Jobling playing up front for a change, scored a hat trick with Ian Gibson and Richie Knott, shopping in with two each.

Durham HQ moved back up to second spot thanks to a 3-1 win over Langbaurgh, HQ missed a first half penalty and squandered other chances, before Andy Robinson gave Langbaurgh the lead. In the second half Steve Rooney (2) and Andy Stuart put things right for HQ.

In the all Northumbria match Newcastle beat Saints 7-0 a scoreline which both secretaries agreed didn't reflect the true shape of the game. Everything Newcastle touched went in, while Saints had their fair share of chances, but wouldn't have scored if they'd played for a week.

Darlington Church and Friendly League

The game of the day took place between The Three Tuns and The Otter & Fish which resulted in a well deserved 3-0 win for The Tuns. This result really opens up the title chase as, before the game, The Fish were two points above The Tuns so the Shildon side leap-frog them in the table. This was a great game of football to watch but The Tuns were always in control and dominated proceedings for long periods. The winners goals were scored by Paul Trotter, Paul Fitt and Stephen Hall.

Hydro continued their run of good form with a superb 3-2 win away to

Deepdale. This result was all the more surprising as Deepdale were 2-0 up at half-time and looking good value for their lead. However in the second half the Hydro lads got their act together and played some of their best football of the season to turn the scoreline around. The Hydro scorers were Mark Dixon and a brace from veteran striker Trevor Cooke.

Another tight game took place between SCA and The Tap & Spile which was won by SCA by the odd goal in five. 2-0 up and cruising with goals from Lee Hammond and Chris Jordan, SCA took their foot off the peddle and soon found themselves standing at 2-2 . However they sorted this out and managed to score a late winner which was notched by Mark Finn. The Tappers goals came from Wayne Turner and Darren Shooter.

Yet another of our teams fighting for the championship, The Navy Club, had a comfortable win over DGSOB by eight goals to one. In command from the word go The Clubbers showed that they are a force to be reckoned with as the end of the season draws near. The Clubbers scorers were the superb Dave Brassell (3), Wayne Pratt (3), Jason Ryder and Peter Strevens. Special mention must go to John Shepherd who had an outstanding game and also to Jeff Dixon who retired today after a long and illustrious career.

A well fought game took place between Central Borough and Elm Road WMC which resulted in a 3-1 win for Elm Road. This team are improving rapidly and one to note for next season as they have quite a few young players who are just beginning to find their feet in senior football. The Elm Road scorers were Richard Nash (2) and Daniel Plews with Mark Atkinson scoring The Boro's consolation.

The dress rehearsal took place for next week's semi-final between RA

Youth and Aycliffe Saints and it ended all square at 4-4 . There was never more than one goal in it as first one side then the other took the lead only for the other team to make the game level again. Both secretaries found out a lot about their opponents and hopefully the semi will be as entertaining as this game was. The R.A. scorers were Mark Swanwick, Dean Lawson, Danny O'Neill and Darren Kokes with Chris Clarke (2), Johnny Craig and Mick Cave replying for The Saints.

Another of out title challengers, The Royal, were held to a 1-1 draw by Wheatsheaf Wanderers in a cracking game of football that no team deserved to lose. The Wheatsheaf, on their day, are a match for anyone and it was the League Champions who found this out in this match. In an end to end game, with no quarter given or asked, chances were few and far between and the only two taken were scored by Simon Hares for The Royal with Stephen Houlahan scoring from the penalty spot for The Wheatsheaf. The final game saw a much improved performance from The Mowden who defeated The Greyhound by an impressive 8-0. The Mowden are a side running into form at just the right time as they have two semi-finals to play in the next two weeks and results like this will make their opponents sit up and pay attention. The winners goals were scored by Ritchie Dodsworth (4), left back Neil Campbell (2), Jamie Applegarth and one from the old hand, John Trowell.