Legion show their quality

Royal British Legion of Division Three produced the performance of the day to take the scalp of The Northern Echo and move into the cup quarter finals. The Legion started the game much brighter than their hosts and soon raced into a 3-0 half time lead thanks to goals from Paul Dinsdale, Adrian Gough and Michael Meredith. The Echo tried to make amends with a better showing in the second half, but the Legion proved to be too strong as they ran out 5-3 victors thanks to second half goals from Barry Scott and man of the match Brian Gough. The Echo's scorers were Gary Pallas, Les Mooney and Graham Bartlett. Meanwhile, Coundon Forresters are also in the hat for the quarter final draw thanks to a victory over an injury-ravaged Copper Beech DCS side. The Beech put up a sterling fight, however, and stand-in 'keeper Chris Foster pulled off some magnificent games to restrict the Forresters to just a 1-0 half-time lead thanks to a Rob Mazur penalty. Coundon really turned the screw in the second half, however, as Mazur completed his hat-trick, whilst Steven Butler also got in on the act as he waltzed through the Beech defence before notching as Forresters ran-out 4-0 victors.

In the remaining second round tie of the day Jack Horners were defeated 5-1 by cup specialists Newton Aycliffe Sports Club. The Sports Club raced into a 1-0 lead in the first minute of the game to put the Jacks on the back foot, and although Ted Halstead provided some good resistance in the Jack's goal, the Sports Club doubled their lead just before the break. Richard Tutty reduced the arrears early in the second half with a long-range volley, but any hopes of a fight back were soon quashed as Carl Black completed his hat trick on the way to a 5-1 victory to the Sports Club. Aycliffe's other goal scorers were Chris Postle and Ray Stanger.

In Division One, Spraire RA remain top of the league as they ran out 3-2 victors in a very physical encounter with East End WMC. Spraire carried a 2-0 lead into the break before an incident-packed second half, which saw East End fight back to get themselves on level terms. Mark Brooks clinched a deserved victory for Spraire in the closing minutes, however, as he kept his cool to slot home from the penalty spot.

Nestfield Club remain tight on Spraire's tail, however, as they kept on the pressure with a 7-4 victory over Team Scania. Two goals apiece from Nestfield top-scorer Gary Mitchell and strike-partner Wayne Buckley put Nestfield into a commanding 4-0 lead in the first half, but Andy Kelly and Stuart Ord both notched just before the break to make the half-time score 4-2. Mitchell added a further brace to extend Nestfield's lead to 6-2, before Andy Kelly notched twice to complete his hat trick. However, it was never likely to be enough as the home side stayed in control before substitute Lee Jenkinson rifled the ball home from distance with his first touch of the game to complete the 7-4 scoreline.

In the remaining first division games, goals from Tony Stafford (2), Shaun Collings, John Banks and Paul O'Hagan helped Speedwell to a 5-1 victory over Hoppers Transport who had Ian Thompson to thank for their goal. Meanwhile, things are looking increasingly desperate for The Green Dragon as they lost 2-0 to the Brinkburn thanks to a brace from Chris Clack, which was only over-shadowed by the fine performance of Brinkburn's Geoff Kell. The result leaves the Dragon needing snookers, however, as they must now win all of their remaining games and hope for Scania to lose all of theirs by a large margin in order to avoid the drop.

Division Three saw one of the shock results of the day as AFC Orange lost only their second league game of the season as they went down 1-0 to second placed Canney Hill Athletic.

David Goss was the hero for Canney Hill as he pounced on a poorly cleared first half corner to strike it into the net. Orange pushed hard in the second half as they tried to earn a share of the spoils, but the Canney Hill defence remained organised and stood firm as they retained their faint hope of over-turning Orange's lead at the top of the division.

Elsewhere, Nestfield Seconds eased past Hogans 5-0 to put the pressure on fifth placed Pizza Perfekt, who replied by defeating Falchion 3-1. Liam Coleman gave the Pizzaboyz the lead after an evenly matched opening 30 minutes. Ian Caygill doubled the lead soon after before Coleman doubled his tally and gave the Pizzaboyz a 3-0 lead. Falchion tried hard to get something out of the game and Dean Bates managed to get a goal back in the final ten minutes, although by that time it was too late for the Falchion.

In the only game to survive the weather in Division Two, Shuttle and Loom remain top of the pile after they defeated struggling Greyhound 5-0 thanks to goals from Steven Clement, Gary Hutchinson, Stuart Curry, Paul Hutchinson and Paul Soderman.

Darlington and District League

Ithe derby at Croft a Paul O'Hagan goal after 30 minutes was all that separated Archdeacon and Albion. In a very competitive game players in an excellent spirit Deacon's failure to convert any of their chances cost them dear, while Albion's victory was marred by broken leg victim Phil Rees who had only been on the field a few minutes as a substitute. The league wish him a speedy recovery from his injury.

Killinghal Arms maintained their excellent recent run at Abbey Road when Danny Hannafin gave them an early lead. However, Old Boys' keeper Steven Chandler turned back the clock to produce some excellent saves to deny them a second, but he was eventually beaten when David Barkley scored. Phil Lawrence pulled one back when he converted a corner but in the second half Killie added three more without reply through Andy Roberts, Kevin Ashton and sub Jamie Langburn to run out comfortable 5-1 winners.

The gap between the top and bottom of the league was there for all to see as East End WMC put 12 past DSRM SC without reply. Ex-Darlington trainee Paul Cooper helped himself to five and Shaun Collins (3), John Banks (2), Mark Maddison and Roy Winter also got on the scoresheet. Despite conceding 12 David Thompson, Rolly's keeper, was their man of the match.

Speedy Hire put up a laboured performance against a nine-man Grey Horse and indeed found themselves a goal down when Darren Tate broke away to put Horse ahead. However, James Turbitt levelled from the spot and a David Bayne header and one from Alan Gowling sealed a facile 3-1 victory for Speedy Hire.

Greyhounds dominated the first half of their encounter with Newton Aycliffe and should have been more than one goal ahead at the interval courtesy of Kevin Myers who finished well following some good approach play.

Newton Aycliffe stepped up a gear in the second half and goals on the hour and five minutes from time from Craig Barrigan and Scott Latta gave the Aycliffe men a welcome three points.

Post Boy took a major step towards the championship when they came from behind to beat leaders and championship rivals Shuttle and Loom 3-1 and effectively end the latter's quest honours for this season. Jamie Watson levelled from the spot and a goal either side of half-time from Peter Robson sealed the win.

Pride of place this week must however got to RA Social who progressed to the semi-final of the Durham Minor Cup with a 5-1 demolition of Hartlepool Welfare Athletic. RA never looked back after taking the lead for a second time and goals from Peter Gormley (2), Andrew Wetherall, Scott Raper and Nigel Clarke saw them through. The draw for the semis has yet to take place but the game is to take place on Saturday, March 30.

Darlington Church and Friendly League

A close and hard fought game took place between Elm Road WMC and DGSOB which resulted in a 3-2 win for the lads from Elm Road. This was a game where none of the two teams could get more than one goal in front and the winner was scored by Neil Franklin inside the last five minutes. The other Clubbers goals were scored by Daryl Meadows with a double.

DGSOB's goals were scored by Carl Knight and Club Secretary Richard Hovington. Another close game took place between RA Youth and Hydro which resulted in a 2-1 win for the RA. This was a game of many chances with some outstanding goalkeeping and some rank bad finishing from both sides. In the end the youngsters got all three points which, on the balance of play, they deserved. The Hydro goal was scored by Rob Chambers with Darren Kokes and Mark Swannage replying for the RA.

A battle royal took place up at Chilton between Wheatsheaf Wanderers and The Navy Club which resulted in a 5-1 win for The Clubbers. This was a game where no quarter was asked or given between two sides who know how to play fast, open, attacking football and this led to an exciting and hard fought encounter. The winners goals were scored by Dave Brassell (2), Andy Ryder (2) and Scott Brassell.

On a day of close results another one was played up at Deerbolt between Deepdale and The Royal which resulted in a 2-1 win for The Royal. This was a game that was in doubt right up to the final whistle as both teams went for the win. The Royal went 2-0 up with goals from Simon Hares and a real beauty from Paul Cleary but the youngsters fought back and were rewarded with a goal from Chris Howard after 70 minutes. This set up a tense and sometimes frantic last 20 minutes but The Royal held on to put their championship aspirations back on track.

Two of our form sides played each other and this resulted in a win for The Three Tuns over Aycliffe Saints by a scoreline of 7-3. This game was locked at 3-3 well into the second half until The Tuns took control and rattled in three goals late on to secure the three points. The Saints scorers were Mick Cave, Johnny Craig and Craig Davies with Paul Gibson (2), Ian Maddison (2) and a hat-trick from Mark Hallimond. It should be pointed out that Mark's third was The Tuns' 100th League goal of the season - well done lads.

The team lying third in the League, The Otter and Fish, had a tough looking fixture on paper against The Mowden but ran out comfortable 7-1 winners. This was yet another powerful performance by The Otter who would go top if they win their games in hand over the top two. The winners goals were scored by Chris Liddle (2), Simon Middlemiss (2), Neil Bell, Kelvin Russell and an absolute snorter by Stephen Clapham. The Mowden's consolation was scored by Calum Reilly.

One of the best games of the day was between the sides filling the bottom two places in the League, The Greyhound and The Tap and Spile, which resulted in a 3-2 win for The Greyhound. This was a great game from start to finish with one of the goals of the season winning it. This was when Kris Burgess picked the ball up in his own half and started on a mazy dribble past half a dozen Tap players before finishing with a cracking drive into the net. The other Greyhound scorers were Paul Prince and Simon Moralee. The scorers for a very hard working Tap were Mike Pallister and Darren Scorer.

The final League game to be played resulted in 10-1 win for SCA over a depleted Central Borough. Scorers were Mark Finn (3), Chris Jordan (3) and four for Lee Hammond for SCA with Andy Shuffin replying for the Boro.

Hathaway Auckland and District League

Cockfield have one hand on the championship trophy after beating Spennymoor Quinns Inn 6-1. Two goals from Stephen Rogers separated the sides at half time and he completed his hat trick after the break. David Kemp Ambler, Neil Peveller and a Stephen Jackson own goal made up the Cockfield half dozen whilst Tony Craddock netted for Quinns Inn.

Coxhoe are showing fine form in the cups and reached the final of the Auckland Charity Cup with a semi final victory over Cleveland Bridge. David Hutchinson opened the scoring after 20 minutes and Philip Lawson added a second on the half hour. Cleveland Bridge staged a spirited second half fightback and pulled one back through Ross Ainsley. Coxhoe held out and Kevin Bush netted near the end to give them a 3-1 win.

Paul Webster notched a hat trick for Brandon Station who beat Thornaby Village 6-0 in the Darlington Charity Cup. Graham, Gill and Fletcher took the Station through to the next round