Wolviston believe they have carved a niche in the league's record books by scoring the fastest league goal when they hit the target after 17 seconds at Cleadon SC last Saturday.

"It was incredible. I've never seen anything like it," said Wolviston

secretary Keith Simpson. "I took a quick check of my watch and I reckoned 20 seconds but the referee confirmed it was 17 seconds when Christopher Lax put the ball into the net. "

Wolviston finished easy winners to register their first victory in three outings and moved back into second position behind leaders Nissan. It is becoming more and more likely that one of the current top three sides will win the championship but Simpson believes that Wolviston are now outsiders, with third top North Shields having matches in hand.

"Nissan have six points more than us and they have a better goals difference but even if they slip up North Shields are breathing down our necks, just a point behind with two games in hand. They have also scored many more goals and conceded fewer so all in all we have an awful lot to do," added Simpson.

Wolviston were pencilled in for an early return fixture with Nissan but

tomorrow's semi-final tie in the Sunderland Shipowners' Cup has been postponed because Nissan's players cannot get time off work.

"A couple of weeks ago Nissan beat us 2-1 in the league so we have a chance to avenge that reverse and reach the cup final. We will now play them a week on Saturday.

"They are a very good team and will take some beating but we will again give them a good match and if luck is with us we could go all the way and pick up the cup," said Simpson.

Nissan kept their title hopes very much on course last weekend when they thumped Whitburn by eight goals. The Wearsiders' look as if they will take some beating in their challenge to retain the crown but North Shields are very much in contention. Despite being seven points adrift, they have played two games fewer and have a 15-goals lead on their rivals.

"It is going to be very tight and who knows, goals difference could decide the destination of the championship," said Robins secretary David Thompson.

Harton and Westoe, meanwhile, are bemoaning their poor start to the season. They have settled into fourth spot and with 79 goals are the leading scorers but they look to have far too much to do. However, they could still pick up some silverware because they are well advanced in a couple of cup competitions.