Shildon take advantage

OLD Shildon jumped to the top of Division One last week after New Masons slipped up at Huntsman.

Old Shildon, previously third, completed a 3-1 win over Laceys. And New Masons - who were cruelly pipped to the title last season on goal difference - were beaten 6-5. Newton Aycliffe were in cup action last week.

The results have blown the championship race wide open after it looked as though Masons and top-of-the-table Newton Aycliffe were once again creating an unasailable gap.

Both Old Shildon and Huntsman now have a realistic chance of launching a serious challenge for the title - providing they keep up their League form.

Shildon beat Laceys thanks to goals from James Hedley, Anthony Moff and Paul Whensley, who was also man-of-the-match. Adam Henderson scored Laceys goal, and Brian McNally was MOM.

Steve Hepples and Dave Welsh both scored an impressive brace against Masons last week as Huntsman did their best to throw away a 4-1 half-time lead. Martin Walker also scored in the first half, and Morgan Fielding scored the winner five minutes from time after Masons had pulled it back to 5-5. John Armitage, Neil Bannister, Ian Bainbridge, Thomas Louden and Dean Merchant all netted for Masons.

Mid-table Royal George completed a 2-0 win over Salvins thanks to goals by Jeff Dixon and Dave Leighton.

George manager Stuart Timmiss is hoping his side and can now climb the table after an in-different campaign.

"We've been very inconsistent," he said. "We lost a few players in the summer so we had to re-build, but we're pulling a few results together now so hopefully we can turn things around."

Salvins secretary Norman Dale said: "We're playing pretty poorly at the moment and it's obviously disappointing, without taking anything away from Royal George. They battled away and wanted it more than we did - they deserved the three points."

The Division Two championship race was also blown wide open last week when Spennymoor Thorns were finally beaten after winning the first 13 games of the season.

Binchester Social Club inflicted a 4-3 defeat on the leaders - and Broompark Loves continued their fine form with a 7-1 win over Black Horse.

Binchester raced into a 3-0 half-time lead when Stuart Allen and Paul Sutton (two) netted with the wind. Thorns pulled one back before Darren Spark grabbed Binchester's fourth. Thorns then pulled two back to set up a tense finish to the game, but Binchester's defence - led by man-of-the-match Gavin Dunnett - refused to buckle under the pressure.

Norman Liddle, Julian Jordan and Michael Oliver netted for Thorns, with Andrew Richardson getting the MOM.

Binchester centre back Steve Sutton said: "We had the wind in the first half and they did in the second, which proved to be an advantage. It was a very tight game but I think we did just about enough to win it."

Binchester have also been boosted with the signing of former Huntsman stalwart Robert Walker. The cultured centre back, once famed for going AWOL during his Huntsman career after a dispute over his contract, watched from the sidelines last week as club officials tied up the loose ends of his contract. He has reportedly put pen-to-paper on a four-year deal.

Meanwhile, Newton Aycliffe beat Division Two side North Briton 5-0 in the second round of the B&A Trophy.

Craig Evans and Paul Stevens both netted two, while Dave Muir grabbed the other. Darren Griffiths was MOM for Aycliffe and Mark Bowman for the Brit.

l If you'd like to include your games in future reports for the Spennymoor Sunday League, e-mail your match details to: martinwalker50 North Briton 0, Newton Aycliffe 5.

Division One

P W D L F A Pts

Old Shildon 12 8 1 2 50 15 25

Newton Aycliffe 10 8 1 1 46 17 25

New Masons 11 8 1 2 40 25 25

Huntsman 11 7 3 1 41 24 24

The Grand 11 7 1 3 31 22 22

Royal George 12 6 1 5 30 32 19

Europa 9 5 1 3 26 23 16

Eldon Lane 11 4 3 4 28 31 15

Salvins 11 4 1 6 36 28 13

Laceys 11 3 2 6 28 43 11

Brandon 13 1 2 10 21 58 8

Croxdale Perstorp 11 1 1 9 14 41 4

Horndale 11 0 2 9 19 47 2

Division Two

P W D L F A Pts

Spennymoor Thorns 14 13 0 1 83 18 39

Broompark Loves 12 10 1 1 67 12 31

Black Horse* 12 9 1 2 53 25 25

Binchester Social Club 10 8 1 1 29 17 25

Postchaise 14 8 1 5 47 40 25

Boot & Shoe 13 6 1 6 38 49 19

Brawns Den 11 6 0 5 36 26 18

Masons United 13 5 3 5 29 33 18

North Briton 14 5 0 9 40 43 15

Green Tree 12 5 0 7 27 37 15

Locomotion 12 4 1 7 36 38 13

Shildon Athletic 13 4 1 8 31 48 13

Victoria 13 3 3 7 21 54 12

Two Blues 12 3 1 8 29 52 10

Pit Laddie 13 2 0 11 26 54 9

Binchester Hotel 14 2 0 12 22 70 6

*Denotes three points deducted

The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League

THE highlight of the week's fixtures was the game between Division One leaders Spraire RA and third-placed Speedwell.

Spraire took the initiative early doors as they looked to atone for their unexpected draw with Brinkburn last week, and it was no surprise when they took the lead midway through the first half, thanks to a fine header from Martin Ward. However, Speedwell reacted superbly to that strike, and Tony Stafford brought the two sides level within minutes with the easiest of "tap-ins". Stafford then struck again with a fine chip to put the Speedwell 2-1 up, but Richie Hindle's low drive saw the two sides go into the break with the scores level at 2-2. However, Spraire were in no mood to drop any more points. It was striker Graham Dodsworth that provided the goals to earn Spraire the three points, as he scored a well-taken double in the second half to make the final score 4-2 to Spraire. However, Nestfield Club are still clinging onto their coat-tails, as they remain in second place thanks to a hard fought 3-2 victory over a Springfield side looking to bounce back from their shock cup exit last week. However, as much as they matched Nestfield in effort and fighting spirit, this game went with the form book, as goals from Jenkinson, Mitchell and Kacis were too much for Springfield, who had Darren Tate and Kev Stewart to thank for their goals. Elsewhere, in the top flight, Brinkburn defeated Team Scania 5-1, taking full advantage of Newton Aycliffe Sports Club's postponement against Hoppers Transport, as they move into fourth place. Coundon Forresters also continue their fine run as they thrashed bottom side Green Dragon 12-0. Amazingly, it took 20 minutes before Adam Reid opened the scoring, but after that the floodgates were opened, as Coundon went 6-0 up before half time thanks to two goals from Shaun Hope, and one apiece from Darren Wilson, Jason Walton and Ben Reid. However, they had to take a back seat in the second half, as man of the match Rob Mazur capped a fine individual performance as he racked up four goals in the final 45 minutes. Darren Wilson made the score 11-0 late in the game, but then substitute Norman Foster notched the goal of the game as he capped a superb run with an exquisite chip, to compound the Dragons misery. In the only other game in Division One East End WMC beat The Northern Echo 5-3, in a result that sees the Echo move into the bottom half of the table only weeks after they were in second place in the league.

In Division Two, Hurworth Albion remain top of the league as they beat Sadberge 6-0, while Bishop Auckland Cricket Club stay in second after they defeated under-strength Northern Spirit 10-4. The Cricket Club took full advantage of a disorganised Spirit to quickly race into a 3-0 lead, but Spirit got themselves back into the game as Preston Slade and Keith Wilshere notched two quick fire goals to bring the game back to 3-2. However, the Cricket Club came right back and were 5-2 up at the break. Not content with that, however, the Cricket Club came out quickly in the second half, and were soon 6-2 up as an error of judgement from Spirit player-manager Neil Jollie, allowed a corner to curl straight into the near post. The Cricket Club then hit another two goals to take an 8-2 lead before Simon York and Mike Donnelly's headers from corners brought the score back to 8-4, but the Cricket Club attack was too strong for Spirit's unprotected defence, and they notched two more goals in the last ten minutes to make the final score 10-2. The Cricket Club's scorer's were Kevin Slater (2), Kevin Hamilton (3), Alan Lamb (2), Alan Meadows, Anthony Jaques and player-manager Ian Corner, who, embarrassingly, injured himself as he got carried away celebrating his goal.

Elsewhere, Shuttle & Loom remain in third thanks to a close victory over their old rivals Copper Beech DCS. Stuart Curry's goal gave the Shuttle a 1-0 lead at half time, but they were unable to capitalise on their lead, and DCS sub Adie Pape levelled the scores in the second half. However, the Shuttle had their very own super-sub up their sleeve, and it was to be Kevin Baines who was the hero as his strike gave the Shuttle all three points. Meanwhile, Jack Horners took advantage of Allstars lack of action this week to create a four-point gap between the two sides, after their game with Greyhound. However, the Greyhound certainly weren't swept aside by Jack's. It was the Jack's that got the first goal of the game, however, thanks to a fine solo effort from James Cosgrove midway through the first half, and they managed to hold that lead going into the break. The second half saw some relentless pressure from the Jack's however, as Mike Thraves made the score 2-0 in the 70th minute, and that was the way that the game finished - primarily thanks to some superb keeping from Martin Porter in the Greyhound goal.

Bishop Auckland Derby enjoyed a 21-1 victory over Smith & Allan.

When it mattered most, Yates's Wine Lodge badly let themselves down with one of their worst performances this season against table-toppers AFC Orange. Yates's had to win to have any chance of claiming the Third Division title, but never looked claiming victory and fell to a 4-0 defeat.

However they did see a glimmer of hope with the award of a second half penalty. The spot-kick cam at 2-0, and during a stage when Yates's were enjoying the majority of possession, but the penalty was saved from which the rebound was also saved and the rebound from that hit the post.

Meanwhile, Royal British Legion slipped out of the top three as they became Nestfield Seconds latest victims - succumbing 3-2. Canney Hill Athletic squeezed past lowly Falchion 1-0 to move into third. Pizza Perfekt moved into fifth as they beat Biglins News 4-3. A quick double from player-manager Mark Wardell gave Perfekt a 2-0 lead in the first ten minutes.

A breakaway goal by Scott brought Biglins back into it - but not for long, as Liam Coleman reinstated the Pizzaboyz two-goal lead. Perfekt were again left to rue missed opportunities, however, as a fine goal from Potts, against the run of play made the half-time score 3-2, and gave Biglins hope of getting something out of the game. However, the second half saw much of the same as Coleman put the Pizzaboyz 4-2 ahead, before man of the match Freary got his just rewards as he made the score 4-3. However, neither team could create anymore goals in an entertaining and tense final 30 minutes, as Perfekt clung on to all three points.

Elsewhere, Faverdale exacted revenge on AXA Insurance for their opening day defeat, as they recorded a 6-2 victory. Faverdale were well on top and cruising as they went in 3-0 up at half time, but two long range strikes from Andy Ivey and Jon Roote made the game much more tense for a period. However, the result was never really in any doubt, as Aaron Radstock completed his four-goal haul to give Faverdale the 6-2 victory. John McStravic and Darren Shooter were Faverdale's other scorers.

Newton Cap defeated Hogans 4-2. However, Cap were surprised to find themselves a goal behind after only five minutes after Tailor's long range effort held up in the wind, and Cap keeper Shaw could only tip the ball into the net. The home team were then stunned into action, and a brace from Kevin Stewart, followed by a Paul Stewart strike made the half time score 3-1. The second half became was a scrappy affair, although Tom Furness poked home to make the score 4-1 before Sean Bell saw his penalty saved by Hogans keeper Cole. Hogans notched a second goal late on.

Division One

P W D L F A Pts GD

Spraire RA 10 7 2 1 48 15 23 33

Nestfield Club 11 7 1 3 40 29 22 11

Speedwell 11 6 0 5 50 27 18 23

Brinkburn 11 5 2 4 45 28 17 17

Newton Aycliffe SC 8 5 2 1 26 12 17 14

*Coundon Foresters 9 6 1 2 53 10 16 43

The Northern Echo 11 5 1 5 33 44 16 -11

East End Wmc 8 5 0 3 33 22 15 11

Team Scania 10 3 0 7 30 65 9 -35

*Springfield 11 3 1 7 26 49 7 -23

Hoppers Transport 10 1 2 7 19 52 5 -33

Green Dragon 10 1 0 9 20 69 3 -49

*Denotes three points deducted

Division Two

P W D L F A Pts GD

Hurworth Albion 10 9 0 1 54 8 27 46

BA Cricket Club 9 8 0 1 70 15 24 55

Shuttle & Loom 9 8 0 1 48 10 24 38

Jack Horners 11 7 0 4 39 16 21 23

All Stars 9 5 1 3 49 17 16 32

Copper Beech DCS 11 5 0 6 30 30 15 0

BA The Derby 11 4 2 5 59 40 14 19

Sadberge 10 4 0 6 38 36 12 2

Northern Spirit 11 2 1 8 25 48 7 -23

Greyhound 10 2 0 8 20 42 6 -22

Smith & Allan 11 0 0 11 8 178 0 -170

Division Three

P W D L F A Pts GD

AFC Orange 11 10 0 1 45 8 30 37

Yates Wine Lodge 12 9 0 3 46 27 27 19

Canney Hill Athletic 11 8 1 2 46 17 25 29

Royal British Legion 11 7 2 2 45 24 23 21

Pizza Perfekt 12 7 1 4 50 31 22 19

Nestfield Seconds 12 5 3 4 32 31 18 1

Biglins News 11 4 2 5 37 27 14 10

Faverdale 11 4 1 6 36 40 13 -4

Newton Cap 11 4 1 6 30 53 13 -23

The Falchion 12 3 1 8 26 42 10 -16

AXA Insurance 11 2 0 9 20 44 6 -24

Hogans 12 0 0 12 14 80 0 -6