Four-midable Billingham

The weather once again interfered with ten games being postponed. Billingham Wanderers are through to the Robson-Pattison Cup Semi-Final, they defeated the Lord Seaham 4-1 at home. Hero of the game was Mark Steele who scored a first half-trick to put Billingham well on the way to victory. After the restart Ed Sharpe pulled one back for the Lord Seaham, but a further goal from Keith Aldridge virtually settled the issue. Bobby Scarfe ex-Pools played well on this return.

In the Ironside Cup, Cleveland Bridge, Darlington are in the Semi-Final, they won 1-0 away to Roker Queen Vic in a very close game. The only goal came midway through the first half when Martin Nichol beat the offside trap to go clear and scored. Stars were Kevin Quigley and Steve Conlin.

In the Echo Cup Wynyard Vets lost 1-2 to Consett Cricket Club in a game in which if they had taken their chances it would have been a different result. The first half ended goal-less but the Vets missed three glorious chances. After the restart Consett took the lead when the Vets keeper punched a corner out only for the ball to hit one of his own players and richoched into the net for an own goal, this unexpected goal inspired Consett who went further ahead 2-0 up. In the last quarter Bob Jobling put the Vets back into the game 1-2 and until the final whistle it was all the Vets but time was against them.

In the Billy Lorraine Cup Billingham Town won 5-2 away to Hartlepool RNC to go into the semis. Paul Wilson gave Billingham an early lead but Paul Thompson levelled and there the score stayed until 12 minutes from time when Billingham produced a purple patch to score four goals in ten minutes courtesy of Colin Liddle, Paul Wilson, Tommy McGurk and Leighton David Waller scored for Poole with the last kick of the match to make it 2-5 to the hosts.

In Division Two, Barnard Castle Glaxo lost 3-5 at home to Houghton Cricket Club. Lacking the services of one of their star players Corky Waistell, who had gone to Sunderland to take delivery of a new Vauxhall Vectra. The re-shuffled Castle side started off badly and trailed 0-4 at the interval. After the restart they fell further behind 0-5 before they pulled themselves together and pulled three goals back through John Gibbons, Ronnie Sexton and Dave Earl but the come back was too late and the deficit too great.

In Division Three West Cornforth lost 2-3 at home to Durham C Strollers. Durham controlled the first half and led 2-0 at the interval. After the restart they went 3-0 up through a defensive error. Cornforth now came back into the picture and Jedd Darky scored to make it 1-2. Then Tony Rowe made it 2-3. Cornforth now pushed all forward but Durham's defence held firm and Cornforth just could not score the elusive equaliser.

In Division Four Thornley Celtic lost 1-2 at home to the Sportsmans Arms. Manager John Stanhope opened the scoring for the Sportsmans only for Barry Bartholomew to level for the Celtic but just on half time Peter Crawford hit a 25-yard pile driver to regain the lead for the Sportsmans. The restart saw both sides playing attacking football but no goals came. Ronnie Stokesley starred for Thornley.

North-East Christian Fellowship League

Oagain the weather took control of most of the matches being lost to waterlogged pitches.

In the quarter finals of the League cup Lanchester Chapel stole the limelight and progressed to the semi-final leading 4-1 at half time over the first division Bethshan Christian Centre. Andrew Sword scored a pair with goals from Andrew Knighton and Nigel Hepplewhite, Mark Langdown netting for Bethshan. After the break Chris Poets increased Lanchester's lead to 5-1, Langdown scored a second for Bethshan and Chris Thompson also struck to leave the final score 5-3 to Lanchester Chapel.

There was no luck for Division Two leaders Ryton Churches who travelled to Monkwearmouth of the first division. George Churchill gave Monkwearmouth Christians a 2-0 lead with Bryan Gilmour responding for Ryton 2-1 half time.

Churchill completed his hat-trick with brothers Barry and David Ward adding to the score sheet. Peter Sutherland netted a late consolation goal for Ryton who lost their semi-final 5-2.

In league matches Metro Church Sunderland versus Stranton Saints Hartlepool of the first division was the only match to be played in either division.

Metro Church lost three valuable points going down 3-2 at home to Stranton. Paul Gough scored twice for Stranton with Martin Skirving getting the third. Two strikes from Martin Harvey accounted for Metro goals.

* The League have vacancies in the League for next season. Any club wishing to play in the League are asked to submit their names to Hon Secretary Mr G R Lilley, 108 High Street, Carrville, Durham City, DH1 1BQ. Or, send an e-mail via the following web-site durham.footballWensleydale Creamery League

History was created on Saturday when two Wensleydale teams on their respective semi-final ties in the North Riding Saturday Challenge Cup to make an all Wensleydale final.

Over the past few years the league has provided winners and finalists in this competition which covers the old North Riding area and takes in Teesside, York, Scarborough and the Dales.

Richmond Mavericks defeated Loftus Athletic 6-0 lwhile Middleham Town had a much closer game against Teesside Athletic at 3-3, finally winning through after a penalty shoot-out. After an enforced break due to foot and mouth last season, providing both finalist in this prestigious competition shows the progress that the Wensleydale league has made over the recent years.

Bowman Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League

FIRST Division Europa dumped Aycliffe neighbours North Briton out of the Invitation Cup to book a quarter-final place. Struggling Second Division side the Brit appeared to be giving Europa a competitive game when Kevin O'Neil cancelled out David Hanson's opener. But Mark Cairns then made it 2-1 and 3-1 to Europa with a quick double before Hanson grabbed his second. Kevin Wilkinson made it 5-1 before Tim Leadbitter pulled another back for the Brit. But Wilkinson scored another and Anthony Forest notched to complete the comfortable win. "We could have won by more had we taken our chances," said Europa manager Mark Preston. "We created a lot but missed, so it should have been a lot more comfortable. Thankfully we found our scoring touch a bit better in the second half."

Meanwhile, Second Division Postchaise caused an upset when they beat First Division The Grand to also book a place in the quarter-finals. Striker Scott Stainsby won the man-of-the-match award after netting an impressive five goals. Paul Walton scored the other for Postchaise, with Wayne Parnaby getting The Grand's goal and MOM.

Spennymoor Thorns joined Postchaise and Europa in the quarters with a comfortable 7-2 win over Two Blues - Mark Russell (two), Stephen Richardson, Keith Hirst, Andrew Richardson, Michael Oliver and Chris Cock getting Thorns' goals. The only other team to progress to the quarters last week was Victoria, who beat the Boot & Shoe 2-0. Broompark Loves beat Salvins 7-1 in the first round of the competition and will now play the Royal George in the second round.

Other outstanding Invitation Cup matches are: R1: Newton Aycliffe v Masons United. R2: N.Aycliffe/Masons Utd v Binchester Social Club, Pit Laddie v Brawns Den, Green Tree v Shildon Athletic.

Meanwhile, New Masons extended their lead at the top of the First Division with a 3-1 win over Eldon Lane. The only other game was a 2-2 stalemate between Brandon and Horndale.

In Division Two, Green Tree thrashed the Locomotion 7-1 with goals by Darren Johnston (two), Craig Burney (two), Mark Smith, Andrew Appleton and Gavin Wilson. Robert Johnston scored for Locomotion.