Leaders Priory slip

THE league's two cup finals will be staged at Billingham Synthonia's ground on Sunday, April 29. Priory SC and D and E Locksmiths will contest the Classic Trophy final (2pm) and the League Cup final will be between Parklands and Iceland Teesside (4.15pm).

The League championship is going to the wire after Priory slipped up at Haverton Hill, held 1-1 giving them 59 points from 21 games. Potters Bar could win the league as they have 52 points from 18 games but have a three points deduction for not fulfilling a fixture at Lingdale. They have appealed to the North Riding FA and the league are awaiting the outcome. Both teams have to meet to complete their fixtures.

Potters Bar threw away the chance of a cup final place when they went down 2-1 at home to Iceland. Potters took the lead when Tony Knights scored in the first-half. Iceland hit back in the second period when speedy James McGowan scored, but Potters pressed the self destruct button by going on all-out attack and McGowan caught them out again tapping in at the near post.

D and E Locksmiths had to dig deep to overcome Popeyes B who took a first-half lead of two goals through Ray Woodhouse and John Ryan put Popeyes in the driving seat but Locksmiths hit back in the second-half with goals from Lee Freer and David McGowan. Then Freer hit the winner from a 25-yard free kick.

* The league are inviting new teams for next season. Anyone interested should contact Mr Billy Charles on (01642) 276586 or Norman Coleby on (01642) 284722.

Durham Alliance

Washington Westwood will play Darlington RA in the Sacriston Aged Miners' Cup final after winning 2-0 at home to Belford House in the semi-finals.

Paul Henry put Westwood 1-0 up after ten minutes with a volley from 18 yards. Dean Helens added a second after 70 minutes when he received a cross from the right, squeezing the ball just inside the left post.

Herrington kept their new-found form, winning 10-0 at home to Ebchester, goals coming from Paul Taylor (4), Anthony Carter (4), Graham Hancock, and Joe Dodd.

Seaham The Duke stay top following a 4-0 home win against Birtley Town Res. Martin Taylor put them 1-0 up before half-time. The Duke improved when Martin Cowell came on as substitute, playing more attacking football. Colin Wright made it 2-0, Martin Taylor scored the third and Anthony Atkinson rounded off the win.

The match between Seaham Mallard and Springwell Village was called off with Springwell unable to field a team.

Hartlepool BW won 2-1 at home to Durham Victoria Bridge. Boys Welfare took a 2-0 half-time lead with goals from Stewart Gregg on 20 minutes and another from Dave Bell after 37 minutes.

Francis Ward pulled one back for Victoria Bridge after the break while Mark McKenzie was outstanding in their goal, keeping his side in the game and if his forwards had taken their chances they could have salvaged something from the game.

On Monday night James Pitcairn's penalty was enough to give Sunderland Flying Boat a single goal win at Birtley Town Res. while Washington Westwood won 6-2 at Durham Victoria Bridge. Scoring for the victors were Dean Helens (2), Malcolm Nugent (2), Paul Diamon and Anthony Quinn with Darren Burnham notching twice for the hosts.

North East Christian Fellowship League

City Church Sunderland went top of Division One after beating last season's champions Bethshan Christian Centre. Ryan Pender put City Church in the lead with Paul Gribbin equalising before Noel Harrison putting City back in front at the break. Harrison got his second after the hour to give them a 3-1 away win.

At Airport Church, Consett Methodist Church came out attacking their hosts and after 19 minutes Richard Carroll got just reward by giving his team the lead. Twenty minutes from time Airport were awarded a penalty but Paul Proud's effort hit the post. However, just nine minutes later they were awarded another penalty but this time Kevin Hilton saw his attempt saved by Consett keeper Andrew Murray who dived to his left to palm the ball aside, only to see sub Michael Elsdon getting the rebound to equalise. With four minutes remaining, Proud redeemed himself with a goal following a one on one with the keeper which resulted in a goal, giving Airport a 2-1 win.

The relegation battle between Heaton Hearts and Ryton Churches ended 0-0.

Jesmond Parish Church were 0-0 at the break with Stranton Saints for whom Andrew Elsdon scored in the second period. Kieron McCrane equalised for Jesmond but five before full time, Jamie Arthur scored for Stranton giving them a 2-1 win.

In Division Two the top three teams are all in with a shout for promotion. Monkwearmouth Christians, who have led the division for most of the season, went to Jesmond Parish Church B and Andrew Huntley put the hosts ahead before Barry Ward equalised from the penalty spot. The second half saw Ben Hodgeson score for Monkwearmouth to give them a 2-1 win to keep them on top.

Wearside Community Church A were at Lanchester Chapel. David Marrin and Nigel Hepplewhite put Lanchester Chapel 2-0 up after 45 minutes but Paul Kindon and David Marsden squared the match at 2-2. Andrew Sword grabbed the glory when he got the winning goal for Lanchester for a 3-2 victory.

Stakeford Methodist Church have been sitting in third, fourth and fifth positions all season, quietly picking up points and now find themselves one win from the second promotional place after demolishing Westgate Road Baptist Church 7-0. Paul Ayr (4), Chris Scott, Mark Munley, Kevin McLaughlin all scored.

Other matches saw Middlesbrough Baptist's collect three valuable away points with a 5-1 win at Saint Peter's Low Fell which included a John Iley hat-trick as well as strikes from John Rhodes and Steven Davison. Steve Reynolds scored Saints' effort.

David McQuillian put his side, Yarm Emmanuel 1-0 ahead at home to Bethany Christian Centre. In the second half Lee Dale Marc Dale and a McQuillian second give Yarm Emmanuel a 4-0 win.

Heworth Christian Fellowship sailed into a 3-0 half time break lead and added another four in the second period at Wearside Community Church on their way to a 7-2 win. Nick Rowling's (4), Gary Robinson, Gary Harknest and Philip Rooney scored for the victors while a Ivor Crowther penalty and a strike from Andrew Todd were the Wearside scorers.

Ashley Air Products

Over-40s League

Champions Billingham Wanderers won 3-2 away to Sedgefield and moved into second place. Leaders Steels, with games in hand look good to win the championship but with seven games and Cup matches to be played, their task is still a difficult one as each game must result in a win before the championship is settled. Gateshead Ex-servicemen and Sedgefield are already relegated.

In Division One, Ferryhill Greyhound played exceptionally well to beat promotion rivals Owton Manor 2-1 at home.

The game was very even for the first 25 minutes but then Simpson scored to put Ferryhill 1-0 up. The Manor came back strongly and shortly before half-time Donkin levelled when he put away a cross from Suffick.

The restart saw Ferryhill just having the edge and midway through the second half Taylor netted to put them 2-1 up.

In the closing minutes the Manor were awarded a penalty but Finnegan's spot kick was brilliantly saved by the keeper to give Ferryhill a well-deserved victory.

In Division II, Langley Park Rams Head won 1-0 away to Steels to keep them on course for promotion. The first half ended goal-less and it was only ten minutes from time that the Rams scored the winner. They are now in third position with a game in hand of 'Pools and look good for promotion as three teams are promoted.

Barnard Glaxo, who have just missed out for promotion turned in a fine performance winning 4-1 at home to Wallsend. Scorers were Maceachern (2), Hammond and Irving.

In Division Three, Cleveland Bridge, Darlington are the leaders. They defeated promotion hopefuls Regency Windows, 1-0 away. The first half was very close ending 0-0 and a draw looked on the cards until Paul Maitland grabbed the winner by slamming home a cross from John Dee, Marty Nichol shone as centre back.

In Division Four leaders South Shields Lake won 5-2 at home to second place Wynyard Veterans. The first half was a cracker ending 2-2..

The restart saw the Wynyard tire and the Lake slowly began to get on top and scored three further goals to make it 5-2. Scorers were Billy Mason (2), Tooley, Riseborough and Steve Hale one a-piece for the Lake. Consett kept their hopes alive by winning 7-1 t home to Houghton Mill.

In the Alan Spedding Cup Final (Division One), Sunderland Catholic Club defeated Wearmouth 3-2, the winning goal being in injury time.

The Robson Pattison Cup (Premier) saw Benton Blue Flames win 1-0 against Marden.