Less than a week ago Ferryhill Athletic thought they might go out of existence because of a lack of administrators but the new ten-man committee celebrated with a 5-1 victory on the opening day of the season, another on Wednesday evening.

On Saturday, after conceding an early goal to Jarrow's Christopher Stewart, Ferryhill hit back and last season's regular marksman Alan Robson was quickly into his stride.

He rifled a hat-trick and David Milburn and Stuart Illingworth also struck to sweep away the despondency which had descended on the club in recent weeks. Craig Collins marked his debut scoring twice in Annfield Plain's 4-1 defeat of Whitehaven. Brian Cater and an own goal from Gareth Holmes put the Plain four goals in front before Carl McGrady hit a late consolation for the Cumbrians. North Shields narrowly missed winning the championship last time and they served notice that they will again be strong contenders, winning 4-0 at New Marske where David Little hit a hat-trick. Russell Wilson was the other marksman. After taking the lead on 20 minutes through Liam Thompson, Stokesley were unlucky not to increase their advantage before Paul Barwise levelled for Windscale on 46 minutes. Peter O'Connell and Kevin Law scored in a five-minute period to give Windscale a 3-1 win.

Matthew Pickover was the toast of Wolviston when he recorded a hat-trick in the 3-3 draw at Stanley United who led three times through Michael McKay (2) and Richard Johnson. Micky Richards converted a late penalty award to earn Birtley Town a share of the points at home to Ryhope CW. It was Richards' second goal and Nick Smith scored twice for the Wearsiders. Darlington RA, the League's only newcomers, started with a 3-0 victory at Boldon CA. Will Swinburne headed in at the near post from a corner before Steven Johnson beat the offside trap and the hopes of Boldon were finally erased when Steven Walker struck at the back post.

Saturday's results: Annfield Plain 4, Whitehaven 1; Birtley Town 2, Ryhope CW 2; Boldon CA 0, Darlington RA 3; Ferryhill Athletic 5, Jarrow 1; New Marske 0, North Shields 4; Stanley United 3, Wolviston 3; Windscale 3, Stokesley SC 1. Redcar Town v Cleadon SC postponed.

There was more good news for Ferryhill on Wednesday when they again recorded a 5-1 win.

Ryhope were their latest victims as Alan Robson bagged a brace of goals and others flowed from Steve Houlahan, Lee Jewitt and Ian Wlodarczak (pen). North Shields have also won both their opening fixtures, defeating Harton and Westoe 3-2 with strikes by David Little (two pens) and a last-minute winner from Ian Dugdale. David Hopper and Andy Tate netted for the home team. Charlie Eales, Ben Walker and Ian Johnson struck in New Marske's 3-3 draw with Darlington RA for whom Stephen Bell rifled a hat-trick and another player to score three times was Conrad McCormack on his debut as Redcar Town inflicted a 3-0 defeat on Wolviston.

Stokesley SC shared the spoils at Birtley Town with goals by Craig Johnson and Stephen Tait. Jonathan Crone was twice on the mark for the home team.

Stanley United scored through Alan Humble but Whitehaven emerged 2-1 winners when Anthony Wedgewood and John Murphy found the net and after Craig Collins had given Annfield Plain the initiative, Jarrow levelled with a goal from Michael Stewart. Cleadon SC came away from Windscale with a point. They conceded an own goal and Howard Kirkbride found the target for the Cumbrians but another own goal and one from Michael Stephenson earned Cleadon a 2-2 draw.