In the Villa Real Cup third round Premier side Billingham Wanderers won 1-0 away to Division One side Wardley Green in a hard fought game.

Mark Steel was a constant threat for the Teessiders who eventually took the lead after good work by Terry Murphy allowed Steel to fire home after quarter of an hour.

The home side struggled to get into the match although Paul Oakley and Paul Wear did give the visitors some scares.

Billingham eventually were worthy winners with Steel and Keith Aldridge playing well up front.

Ferryhill Greyhound without their regular keeper so had defender Stuart Milton deputising. The first half ended goal-less with both sides missing chances. The second half saw Seaton's keeper John Lyle pulling off a great save to deny Willie Taylor but it was Seaton Delaval who took the lead when an up-field clearance was collected by substitute Graham Richardson who cleverly beat his marker and slammed home the ball from 20 yards to score and win the game. Ex Alnwick Town player Peter Saunders and Jeff Boon starred for Seaton and Matty Pearson and David Topp for the Greyhound.

Newton Aycliffe lost 5-2 away to the unbeaten Touchdown Hotel. Aycliffe opened in fine style and took an early lead. Touchdown fought back and Dave Hetherington levelled with a fine solo effort and the first half ended 1-1. The restart saw the Touchdown take over, Archie Morton gave them the lead then scored again to make it 3-1. Alistair Rae made it 4-1 before Aycliffe scored from a corner, 4-2, and finally Paul Greig chipped the keeper to score and make it 5-2.

In Division One, Mrs Flint's Pirates go top, they defeated Wallsend Rising Sun away leading 2-0 at the interval courtesy of a brace from Kevin Smith, the result was never in doubt. Two further goals from Alan Gates settled the issue to keep the Pirates well in the promotion stakes. Star players for the Pirates were Steve Weldon and John Murray.

The Rams Head (Langley Park) drew 1-1 at home to fourth-placed Wallsend RAOB. It was a hard fought game in which either could have won but a draw was a fair result. The first half was goal-less. The restart saw Wallsend take the lead when Derek Ward scored with a clever solo effort beating four players. Gary Collins equalised for the Rams.

In Division Two Cleveland Bridge Darlington gained their first point of the season by drawing 2-2 at home to Darsley Park. A fighting second half come back saw them come back from 2-1 down to draw level 2-2 and almost win the game in the closing stages.

West Cornforth lost 5-2 away to Oddies. Star of the game was ex-Arsenal player Wilf Rostron who, on his return, scored a brace to enable Oddies to win the match.

In Division Four Darlington Railway defeated their rivals the Halfway House 4-3 and moved into second place. The first half saw Darlington well on top and leading 3-0. After the restart the house pulled one back but Darlington went 4-1 up and thinking the game won relaxed and the House came back into the game and scored twice to make 3-4 and only solid defending enabled the Railway to hold out and take maximum points.

Premier Division

P W D L F A Pts

Seaton Delaval SC 3 3 0 0 5 1 9

Steels SC 3 3 0 0 6 3 9

Lord Seaham 3 2 1 0 8 4 7

Ferryhill Greyhound 3 2 0 1 6 4 6

Billingham Wanderers 3 1 1 1 6 4 4

Usworth WMC 3 1 1 1 4 3 4

Owton Manor SC 3 1 1 1 5 5 4

N Police 3 0 2 1 3 4 2

Killingworth Arms 3 0 2 1 4 6 2

Blackhall Hardwick 3 0 1 2 1 4 1

Penshaw CC 3 0 1 2 0 4 1

Marsden 3 0 0 3 2 9 0

Division One (top eight)

P W D L F A Pts

Masons Arms 4 3 1 0 11 2 10

Grindon Broadway 3 3 0 0 10 1 9

S'Land Cath Club 3 3 0 0 15 7 9

Wallsend RAOB 4 2 2 0 10 3 8

Wearmouth 2 2 0 0 2 0 6

Board Inn 4 1 1 2 9 10 4

Wardley Green 3 1 1 1 3 5 4

Sedgefield 3 1 0 2 4 6 3