DIVISION Three was the only division where all of the scheduled games took place.

And, in familiar style, AFC Orange once more picked up three points, as they beat AXA Insurance 4-1.

It took three goals in the last 20 minutes to give Orange the points, as an injury-ravaged AXA side fought them valiantly.

Alistair French gave Orange the lead, but AXA were indebted to 'keeper Greg Osborne for the score remaining so low.

AXA went on to notch an equaliser with a blinding 25 yard strike from Alan Percival, and looked like they might have hung on for the draw, but the class and power of Orange was too much for them to cope.

Man of the match Chris Wardell first put Orange back in front with his third goal in as many games, and then substitutes Martin Allinson and top-scorer Danny Ofosu put the game beyond the reach of AXA.

Royal British Legion are keeping the pressure on Orange at the top, although they were given a scare by a much-improved Falchion side.

Indeed, The Falchion took a surprise lead through Mike Watts and then swiftly moved 2-0 up as Rob Benison found the back of the net.

However, Paul Barber brought the Legion back into it, only for the Falchion to restore their two goal lead with a Richie Young penalty.

The Legion struck back in the second half, and Trevor Cooke and Michael Meridith both bagged a pair of goals to put the Legion 5-3 up, before Adrian Gough and sub Paul Calloway scored late on to make the final score 7-3.

Canney Hill also remain up with the leaders, as they hit Hogans for six without reply. Lee Douthwaite (4) did most of the damage whilst Paul Simpson bagged a brace.

Yates's Wine Lodge also kept up with the pace as they swept Newton Cap aside 10-2, with Chris Chadwick and Paul Spinks both grabbing hat-trick. Others on the scoresheet were Easby brothers, Steven and Chris while Matty Waistell and Stuart Bell also scored.

Pizza Perfekt were in for a surprise, as they were beaten 6-2 by Nestfield Seconds who raced into a 5-0 lead within the first half-hour. Ade Weston grabbing three of the early goals, whilst Dave Hubble hit the other two.

Nestfield took their foot of the accelerator and that was enough to allow Gareth Hughff to notch just before the interval. Perfekt started the second half much better, but Nestfield were already cruising, and under no real threat.

Perfekt substitute Martin Landers did manage to notch for the pizza boys with his first ever goal in his 20-year career. Nestfield went on to nab their sixth of the game through Steve Grant.

Biglin's News had an ideal start against Faverdale, as they took a 2-0 lead in the first ten minutes.

Lee Scott notched the first with a sublime volley, before Paul Carroll's 25-yard free kick left Faverdale floundering.

As Faverdale tried to get more into the game tempers began to fray, and on the half-hour both sides were reduced to ten men. That wasn't enough to knock Biglin's off their stride and Lee Scott added his second of the game just before the interval. Illustrating their total domination, they made the final score 4-0, as Tom Moore added a diving header in the second half.

Division Two saw just two games played, as the remaining five matches were called off.

Hurworth Albion's game against Northern Spirit was one of those that did take place, and Albion were in the sort of form that has taken them to the top of the league.

However, they didn't get everything their own way, and in an exciting first half, Hurworth had to wait until the stroke of half-time before they finally beat Spirit keeper Mike Donnelly, and it took an exceptional strike from man of-the-match Steven Bell to do it. Spirit lifted their game but couldn't find the killer touch, whilst Hurworth displayed some clinical finishing.

Chris Bellwood put the Albion 2-0 up, before Bell and Richard Hill scored to make the final score 4-0.

In the only remaining game in Division Two, Bishop Auckland Cricket Club got back on the goal trail with a stunning 8-0 victory over the Greyhound, who have now slipped into the relegation zone.

Anthony Jaques was the Cricket Clubs top marksman, bagging four goals, whilst Alan Meadows (2), Kevin Hamilton and man of the match Michael Barker hit the others.

Coundon Forresters extended their lead at the top of Division One this week as they defeated Hoppers Transport 9-1 whilst their closest challengers Spraire were competing in the County Cup. Elsewhere, Newton Aycliffe Sports Club missed out on the opportunity to keep the pressure on as their game against Springfield was postponed, and the Speedwell continued their dramatic run of inconsistent form, as they went down 3-1 to struggling Nestfield Club.

Team Scania couldn't match there heroics of last week, and were easily brushed aside 5-1 by East End WMC, whilst The Northern Echo were victorious against The Green Dragon. The Echo dominated the early stages of the game, but had to wait almost 20 minutes before Garry Pallas opened the scoring for them with a great individual goal. Craig Maddison and Darren Stanley both added a goal apiece to put the Echo 3-0 up, but Martin Lamont's free-kick made it 3-1. Two further Echo goals from Graham Bartlett and Maddison knocked the stuffing out of the Dragon, and Stanley then went on to bag two goals in the last ten minutes to complete a 7-1 win.

Hathaway Auckland and District League

Black & Decker still lead the table, on goal difference, from Cockfield after both had easy wins, although Cockfield have a game in hand. Black and Decker won the Spennymoor derby against Quinns Inn 4-0. They led 1-0 at half-time, with a goal from Kevin Shoulder, and added further goals in the second period from Kevin Shoulder, Derek Cooper and Stephen Baker.

Cockfield beat DSRM 4-1. They scored three times in the first half through Stephen Rogers (2), and David Bainbridge. Stephen Lyall pulled a goal back for DSRM early in the second half, but Cockfield made the game safe with a fourth goal from David Bainbridge.

Brandon Station lost their unbeaten record when they lost 3-2 to Shildon Railway. Stephen Hancock opened the scoring for Brandon, with Stuart Blackett equalising. The same player then went on to complete his hat-trick, with Peter Hart scoring Brandon's second goal.

Coxhoe Athletic beat Cleveland Bridge 4-3, with Phil Lawson scoring all four goals. Jimmy Morris, Paul Tunstall and Steve Dixon replied for Cleveland Bridge.

Crook and

District League

WEST Auckland Earl of Warwick go top after beating Tow Law Cattle Mart 9-0. David Bowes and Jeff Wymer grabbed two and the rest came from Darren Lamb, Jeff Cranston, Andrew Bowes, Anthony Bailes and Paul Vickers. Cup holders Crook Wanderers beat the White Swan in a Norman Wright Memorial trophy derby. Wayne Lonsdale scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 win.

Byers Green St Peters led twice at Howden Australian but went out 4-3. David Savage gave St Peters the lead but David Wilkinson equalised before half time. Kevin Dodds restored the Byers Green advantage but Australian came back to lead 4-2 through Kevin Burke (2) and sub John Chambers. Dodds pulled a late goal back for the losers.

Willington Cottles made progress with a 2-0 victory over Bishop Auckland Rugby Club. Both goals came from John Howard.

Stanhope Town went a goal down at Wearhead and were down to ten men when Will Noble was sent off. Despite these setbacks Stanhope came back well and goals from Rob O'Dell (2) and Chris Ellison gave them a 3-2 win. Graham Walker and Paul Redford scored for Wearhead.

P W D L Pts

Earl of Warwick 5 5 0 0 15

Stanhope Town 6 4 0 2 12

Wearhead United 7 3 1 3 10

Willington Cottles 4 3 0 1 9

Crook Wanderers 5 3 0 2 9

Howden A'tralian 5 3 0 2 9

*Bishop Rugby 5 2 1 2 4

Tow Law Mart 4 1 0 3 3

Crook White Swan 6 1 0 5 3

Byers Green St Peter 7 1 0 6 3

*Denotes three points deducte