NORTHERN ECHO moved into the top half with a 1-0 win over Copper Beech DCS. After a goalless first-half, Paul Mansfield scored the decisive goal when his shot was deflected into the net.

Team Scania kept up their 100 per cent record with an awesome goal display against Brinkburn coming out 13-2 victors. On target were Andy Alderson, Lee Jenkinson, Martin Smith, Mark Finn, Darren Walker (2), Mike Carter (2) and (5) for Lee Hammond. Jason Todd scored both Brinkburn's consolations.

Newton Aycliffe Sports Club also maintained their 100 per cent record and remain top with a 5-2 victory over Stooperdale RA.

Nestfield Club moved five points clear at the top of Division Two after an 8-2 win over Bishop Auckland Derby. On a tricky pitch this hard fought tie was decided by superior finishing. Even a well-organised Derby defence proved no match for the club men who have now scored eight goals in three of their five matches. Scorers were John Robinson, Rodney Brown, Gary Tindale, Gary Mitchell, Mark Cockburn (2), Chris Robertson (2). Tommy Furness and Mathew Gowland scored Derby's consolations.

Alan Storey hit all five of Smith and Allan's goals but unfortunately walked away with no points as his team were defeated 9-5 by Hoppers Transport. Michael Smith and Andrew Thompson both scored hat-tricks for Hoppers, Paul Mulrooney was dropped having failed to turn up for the previous week's game and failed to score when he did get on the pitch. Simon King, Peter Dawson and Chris Jordan completed the rout.

The game between the Greyhound and Northern Spirit produced a 3-3 draw. The Greyhound opened the scoring through Gary Brown but Matt Waistell pulled one back for Northern Spirit shortly afterwards. In the second half the Greyhound dominated the first 15 minutes but were denied by some excellent goalkeeping from Paul Robinson and resolue defending by Carl Mansfield. Two strikes from Darren Warr put the Spirit 3-1 up but in the last ten minutes goals from Ian Gibson and Ritchie Huskinson earned the Greyhound a well deserved draw.

A hat-trick each for Andy Wilson and Anth Boyle and goals from Mike Robson and Mark Grant secured an 8-1 for Sadberge against Newton Cap. Dean Stanley scored the Cappers consolation in a game that was delayed because of a waterlogged pitch.

The game between Hogans and Northern Spirit Colts was an entertaining encounter from start to finish. Craig Stoddart and Phil Moore put the Colts two up before Hogans replied through Chris Piper. The Colts increased their lead with another Stoddart strike only for Chris Piper to pull another one back to make the half time score 3-2. In the second half Peter Irvin levelled things only to see the Colts take the lead again with Dave Collinge netting but Irvin then levelled it at 4-4. With ten minutes left the Colts looked certain to have earned the points when Moore made it 5-4 but slack marking during a last minute corner allowed Scott Carvell to earn Hogans a 5-5 draw. The result gave both teams their first point of the season.

In the other second division game Green Dragon beat Classic World Of Fitness 10-1 to remain in second place.

In Divison Three it was top against bottom when the Falchion took on the Shuttle and Loom. There were no shocks except perhaps the margin of victory because the Shuttle won the match 15-0. The scorers were Michael Dutton (4), Kevin Baines (4), John Wray (2), Stuart Curry (2), Gary Hutchinson and David Dreeser.

Hopetown WMC kept up the promotion chase with a 4-1 victory over Biglins News in a game they dominated. With the scores level at half time Paul Hope broke the deadlock early in the second period. Further goals from Stephen Boyle and Mathew Groves gave Hopetown a 30 lead. Hickmans pulled one back for Biglins but Gavin Rose sealed the victory with Hopetown's fourth.

AFC Orange remain second after their 6-1 victory against AXA Insurance. George Bryson took the lead for Orange but Chris Bellwood equalised to take the game level at half time. In the second half Orange took the lead again through Kevin Cokes, AXA were awarded a penalty which Anthony Kent brilliantly saved. In the last ten minutes Orange made sure of victory with goals from Steven Welton, Steven CharIton, Chris Wardell and another from Kevin Cokes.

The 21st Allstars thumped Brown Trout 12-1 with goals from Darren Cokes (4), Aaron Denham (2), Danny Clough (2), Neil Scollick, Stephen Stacey, Ryan Sandick and Mike Lancaster. Phil Snowball scored the Trouters consolation.

l Two teams played in the first round of the Bishop Auckland Heart Foundation Cup. East End WMC lost 5-1 to a very good Ushaw Moor Cricket Club side but Coundon Miners pulled-off an excellent victory, coming from one down to beat Tindale Crescent WMC 2-1.

Darlington Church &

Friendly League

Having as yet been unable to pick up a point Royal Mail came closest yet when going down 5-4 at DGSOB. Daniel Maddams and Paul Sandham (penalty) put them two up after 20 minutes, by the interval Old Boys had pulled back to level the scores at 2-2, on the turn round it was Mail again who went in front through David Hubble and Dave Porter, back came Old Boys to level then snatch a late winner. Dave Challies 2 (1 pen). Steve McAllister and a double for Paul Dent were on target for Old Boys.

Wayne Muldowney(2) and Charlie Sedgewick saw The Royal home 3-1 in a close encounter with Tap & Spile whose scorer was Carl Ridley. Missed chances proved very costly for Aycliffe Saints once again as this time exposures at the back were exploited by their hosts Turbinia who ran out comfortable winners 6-0, three came in either half scored by Wayne Pratt (2), Lee Robinson (2), with one each for Mark Silvester and Terry Robinson.

Model T had a comfortable stroll against SCA with four players all hitting hat-tricks, Richard Dodsworth, Andrew Mellis, Jamie Applegarth and Andrew Fletcher, an og and one for Paul O'Hagan rounded off a 14-0 victory.

Another side to suffer were Wesley's, although on the receiving end they never gave up trying but couldn't find a way through Sedgefield's defence. Arron Robson led the charge with seven, three went to Scott Brassell, two for Tony Brown with one apiece for Lee Staines, Tony Stafford, Mark Gibson with two own goals adding to the tally.

A late goal with seven minutes to go saw Hydro victors over Aidans 3-2 in. Wayne Marram shot Hydro in front with Geoff Kell hitting an equaliser for Aidans before the break, Marram was quickest to react after hit initial shot rebounded into play to put Hydro back in front, minutes later Kell struck again for Aidans then came Gerard Crossans late winner

Some good keeping by Darren Wise for Wheatsheaf Wanderers kept the speedy Deepdale attack down to a 7-0 win in the second period after Deepdale had taken a five goal half-time lead. Edward Kenny scored three, Trenton Hewitt two with one each for Darren Kelly and Kevin Hope.

The young RA Youth side had a good win at Shildon where they overcame the homeside Three Tuns by five goals to one, their goals coming from Chris Marksby a brace and one each for Darren Kokes, Steve Gamble and Chris Hall, Dean Scott scored Three Tuns consolation.

Crook and District League

ALL the action was in the Auckland Charity Cup and the best performance came from Howden Australian who beat Barnard Castle Glaxo 1-0. Chances were few and the only goal came five minutes from time when substitute Paul Davidson turned a cross home.

Stanhope Town had a very good first half against Crook White Swan and turned round 3-0 up through William Noble, Michael Murray and Andrew Featherstone. White Swan pulled one back but a late Noble penalty made the final score 4-1.

Alan Chester gave Byers Green St Peters the lead on the half hour against Darlington RA who equalised before half time and then hit Byers Green with two quick goals to lead 3-1. Kevin Hepburn pulled one back but RA soon restored their two-goal advantage. Geoffrey Morrow scored for Byers Green but RA added a fifth to go through.

Wearhead United entertained former Crook League side Roddymoor and lost 6-0. Roddymoor were always the better side and Wearhead had few chances.

Crook Wanderers lost narrowly at home to DSRM 3-2.

North Riding Cup

Staithes had a 5-1 home first-round win over Bishopdale Valley. Lee Gibson put them in front and Glenn Smith scored twice with other goals from Ben Libbey and Mike Kentfield.

Huntsman scored second-half goals through Lee Downing and Jason Sollet for a 2-0 home win over Askrigg.

Thirsk Falcons were unable to field a side for their tie at Redcar Mackinlay Park.

Other results: Bowes 7, Catterick Village 0; Redmire 0, Spennithorne 2; Wigginton Grasshoppers 2, Carperby 3; Reeth 4, Fishburn Park 9; Swale Travaux 7, Wigginton Black Horse 6 (after extra time); Middlesbrough Post Office 8, Thornton-le-Dale 0; Huby United 4, Kirkdale United 1; Middlesbrough Baptists 1, Ennis Square Social 3; Bagby and Bulk 0, Dormans 12; Sinnington 1, London NER 5; Snainton 1, Tanfield Brothers 4