Darlington Church and Friendly League

FIRST round matches in the Archbold Trophy were finally completed with one or two unexpected wins. Only one game went into extra time - at Brinkburn Road where Darlington RA Youth took on Darlington Model T in what proved a cracking tie.

Youth had the better of the first half exchanges and only excellent keeping by Roy Applegarth kept Model T in the game on more than one occasion, it was extra time before a goal arrived, scored by Richard Dodsworth for Model T and substitute Craig Gibson headed a second minutes later. In the second period, Youth fought back with Ryan Sandick pulling one back but Applegarth denied them a replay.

Darren Shooter gave Darlington SCA an interval lead against Darlington Tap and Spile who were quickly on level terms on the turnround through Carl Ridley. A Neil Atkinson penalty swung the game back to SCA and another from Shooter made the tie safe.

Darlington Aidans dominated the first-half against the home side Shildon Three Tuns but failed to make the most of their chances to lead by only 2-1. In the second period, Three Tuns came back strongly to go through 6-4 with a brace each for Paul Gibson, Paul Wesley and Dean Merchant, Steve Leech 2, Chris Barr and a Brian Thornton penalty replied for Aidans.

Due to Abbey Road ground being unfit the Darlington.GSOB and Newton Aycliffe Turbinia tie was switched and Turbinia led at the break through an Andy Ryder goal, for the second week running after a poor first half Old Boys bounced back to take the tie 4-2 with goals from Matt Frietag 2, Dave Challies and Steve McAllister, Lee Robinson was on target with Turbinia's second

Darlington Wesley's put up their best showing of the season, although they failed to go through, beaten 5-3 to Aycliffe Saints in a very competitive cup tie. Paul Prince 2 (one penalty) and John Leet scored for Wesley's. There was a hat-trick for Simon Phillipson and a double for Craig Hancocks in Saints' reply.

In the remaining tie, a Craig Chapman goal wasn't enough for Chilton Wheatsheaf Wanderers who succumbed to Newton Aycliffe Hydro who replied with a nap hand.

Two apiece went to Gerry Crossan and Nev Richardson with Chris Sanderson rounding off the scoring

In the league, Darlington Busters unbeaten run came to an end.

Already without their two strikers they went down to Sedgefield Athletic 5-1, playing with ten men for 87 minutes having a player sent-off, they were virtually up against it from the kick-off. Dave Brassell hit a hat-trick with two from Arron Robson, Busters consolation came via Rodney Brown.