Brotton book final place

Two late goals put Brotton through to the final of the Eileen Hodgson Bowl. Brotton came back in the second half after Richie gave Anchor the lead in the first few minutes. Brotton played some attacking football in the second half, but it took them to late in the match to penetrate the Anchor defence. They now go on to meet Highland Laddie in the final.

The local derby between Boosbeck's sides proved an excellent game played in good spirit. In an equal first half the two midfields cancelled each other out and it took a derfensive mistake from United to give Athletic the lead in the closing minutes of the half when a good shot was claimed by Bailes even though it appeared to be deflected off a United defender. In the second half United dominated but the Athletic defence marshalled well and there were no chances at goal leaving the final score 1-0 in Athletic's favour.

Whitby Fisherman travelled to Grosmont and began the better side, but Grosmont gradually worked their way into the game. In the 30th minute Hicks was pulled down in the box but the resulting penalty was put over the bar by Woods to deny Grosmont the lead. Ten minutes later they fared between when a 25-yard shot from Kime found the target to give the home team a goal advantage at the break. Twenty minutes into the second half Whitby found the equaliser when Wilson scored following a goal mouth scramble. Whitby continued to play well but against the run of play Grosmont substitute Easby broke an attack, passed neatly to Hicks who split the defence for Woods to round the keeper and score and give Grosmont the points.

After going two goals down in the first ten minutes well placed shots from Brown and Whitehead, Lealholm struggled to get back into the match against Lingdale United. While Lealholm had four of five chances at goal they fluffed them all. Lingdale deserved to be ahead at half time when Castlesides netted their third from a corner just before the whistle. Fifteen minutes into the second half Hill pulled a goal back for Lealholm when he headed in from a corner. The rest of the match saw both sides creating chances but not converting, the score remaining at 3-1.

T & M Disco Crook and District League

A first minute goal from Wayne Fleming gave Willington Cottles the lead in the Norman Wright Memorial Trophy final with Stanhope Town. Rob O'Dell equalised and Darren Fletcher set up his brother Wayne to put Stanhope ahead just before half time. Cottles drew level through Stephen Bradwell and Shane Sugden ensured the cup went to Willington with his sides third goal of an excellent final. Two Crook sides met in the semi final of the Albert Vickers Cup. Wanderers led White Swan at half time through Peter Lonsdale and looked certain winners till Wayne Lonsdale knocked in a last minute equaliser for the Wanderers. No goals came in extra time and the game went to penalties with White Swan winners 4-3.

Wearhead United conceded an early goal at Hartlepool Arriva in the Darlington Charity Cup. The dales side then held Arriva till the last ten minutes when they conceded two more goals to go out 3-0.

Hathaway Auckland and District League

Doug Grant gave Shildon Railway the lead in an all Auckland League Weardale Cup semi final with Coxhoe Athletic. Coxhoe turned the game round to lead 2-1 at half time through Philip Lowson and Paul Weir. In the second half Lowson completed his hat-trick to put Coxhoe 4-1 up before Martin Smith reduced the arrears.

Cleveland Bridge visited Ebchester in a quarter final tie and took the lead ten minutes after half time through Dwayne Beagle. Despite not playing well Cleveland Bridge added a second from Steve Dixon to earn a semi final tie with Black and Decker.

Cockfield met DSRM in the Subsidiary Cup and a first half goal from Andrew Lamb gave them victory and a slender lead to take into the return leg. Gavin Bell netted twice for Brandon Station who beat Quinns Inn 4-0. Brandon led 3-0 at half time and other scorers were John Bell and Paul Eilles.

Darlington and

District League

East End WMC celebrated Easter with an excellent 4-1 win against Shuttle and Loom. Steven Bell put the clubmen ahead with a spectacular volley from the halfway line as he returned the goalkeeper's kick-out with interest. Roy and Darren Winter and John Banks completed the scoring.

The Grey Horse and DSRM SC's match was abandoned after 80 minutes with the scores level at 2-2 when Horse's Terry Harrison broke his leg. The unfortunate Harrison and David Baldwin had scored for Grey Horse. The league wishes Terry a full and speedy recovery from his injury.

Greyhounds took an early goal through David Abdale, but Old Boys levelled before half-time. Old Boys went ahead on the hour mark and Greyhounds' attempts to get back on terms were thwarted when a huge pass from the halfway line dropped under the bar to give Old Boys a welcome 3-1 win. Old Boys scorers were Steven Bolland, Russell Nattress and Matthew Freitag.

Post Boy took their quest for the title to current champions Newton Aycliffe and it was not until the 55th minute that Michael Armstrong put them ahead. Another victory was secured with Peter Robson's 80th minute strike.

A nine-man Speedy Hire did well to restrict Albion to one goal in the first half of their encounter, but weight of numbers told in the end as goals from Gary Mitchell (3), Daren Kacis and Adrian Weston gave Albion a comfortable 5-0 win.

In the Invitation Trophy semi-final David Hunter put Rothmans ahead after only eight minutes against Killinghall Arms. However David Watson levelled before half-time. Andy Roberts then put Killie ahead only for sub Chris Shield to restore the status quo. Both sides continued to give their all but it was Killie who finished the stronger and goals from Neil Matthias and Keith Symcox secured their place in the final where they will meet Greyhounds.

RA Social had done extremely well to reach the semi-final of the Durham Minor Cup but they met their match losing 4-0 to Sunderland Gideons.

Emergency Services League

Easington celebrated this week following two important victories. Firstly they claimed the first trophy of the season when they lifted the Meredith Trophy, with a comprehensive 5-1 victory over Durham and CLS. This week they beat leaders Frankland to put themselves in pole position to win the title. In the final at Chester Moor Allen Richardson scored the only goal of a right first half before Easington took control with further goals by Neil Robinson (2) and Keith James, Paul Jackson pulled one back for the CLS side, but Easington weren't to be denied victory.

In the league a goal by Neil Robinson was enough to secure the points for Easington and close the gap on their opponents Frankland.

Langbaurgh missed the chance to top the table when they lost 5-1 to local rivals Stockton. The result was a surprise as Stockton had been struggling of late. Gary Cookland (2), Andy Blackett, Sean Close and Simon Shaw got Stockton's goals while Darren Henry got the Langbaurgh goal. Durham HQ are back in third placem thanks to a 3-2 win at Newcastle West. Andy Guest (2) and Steve Rooney got the goals with Barrie Joiyce and Dave Oakey scoring for Newcastle. In a close match at Anfield Plain with few chances Durham Fire brigade won 1-0 thanks to a Steve Holcroft goal. The two teams meet again this week in a league cup semi-final.

Sunderland Catholic Club Over-40s League

Billingham Wanderers won the Villa Real Cup defeating Barnes Hotel 1-0. Both teams played attacking football in a close game with the first half goalless. The second half was similar but Billingham looked more dangerous, Mark Steel eventually scoring the all important goal late on.

In the Kenny Call Cup third round Langley Park Rams Head came back to form winning 4-2 away to Newton Aycliffe after extra time. The Rams took the lead after ten minutes but fell behind after the restart when Geoff Peaden scored twice from the spot to make it 2-1 to Aycliffe. Rams levelled a minute from time and dominated extra time scoring twice to win 4-2. In the Premier Ferryhill Greyhound drew 0-0 at home to Killingworth in a defensive struggle with no scoring chances. Dave Topp starred.

In division two Glaxo won 4-1 at home to Hartlepool Catholic Club to ease their relegation worries. They dominated the first half, Graham Hammond, Bobby Murdoch and David Earl all scoring to put them 3-0 at the interval. Geoff White made it 4-0 with a 35-yarder just after the restart. Tommy Storer scored for Pool.

Cleveland Bridge kept on course for promotion drawing 1-1 away to Red House. Mark Smith put them ahead just after the interval but Gary Stoker levelled for Red House. The Bridge must win their last game against Hartlepool Catholic Club to ensure promotion unless their three possible rivals Spring Gardens, Houghton and Millstone W, drop points.

Durham C Strollers after their winning run fell away badly losing 2-1 at home to Regency Windows. Leading 2-1 at half time courtesy of John Bland and Steve Gresham they seemed to run out of steam and allowed Regency to take control and score three goals and finish 4-2 winners.

Wynyard Veterans just had the bare 11 players, but led 2-0 at the interval through Alderson and Morning, but tired badly late on in the second half to allow the Pond to draw level.

In division four Trimdon Veterans won 2-1 away to the Dagmar trailing 0-1 at half time they came good after the restart, Tommy Smith notching a brace to put them 2-1 up. The Vets' outstanding player was midfielder Malcolm Bean.

Billingham Town almost ended their promotion hopes by drawing 2-2 away to Halfway House.