Hathaway and Cope Stokesley League

ONYX got off to a flying start on the opening day of the season, defeating champions Lingdale FC 5-2 with John Simon hitting two first half goals to give them a 2-1 interval lead.

John Sharp made it 3-1 shortly after half time when he tapped the ball home from close range after it had twice come off the woodwork and Darren Simon gave Onyx a three-goal advantage with a dipping header.

Lingdale reduced the arrears with 15 minutes remaining only for Graham Watson to fire home Onyx's fifth.

Dorman's Athletic emerged 2-1 victors in their encounter with fellow l newcomers Teesside Athletic despite going behind to a goal from Chris Ellis midway through the first half.

Dean Farley scrambled an equaliser before the break and it was Farley who hit the crucial goal five minutes after half time when Dormans managed to beat the Teesside offside trap.

Woodman's Arms keeper Craig Sharp had an outstanding game and it was not until 15 minutes from time that Middlesbrough Post Office managed to beat him when Duane Vincent set up Paul Newham. Minutes later Vincent wrapped up the points when his solo run ended with him rounding the keeper to fire home.

Redcar Coke Ovens defeated Huntsman Athletic 3-0. Paul Donaghy opened the scoring after 35 minutes with a volley but it was not until 15 minutes from time that Coke Ovens took control when Stewart Watson netted. Minutes later Darren Stephenson made sure of the points when his deflected shot gave the Huntsman keeper no chance.

Boosbeck Melbourne Tyres staged the comeback of the day to take a share of the points in a, 3-3 draw with B and H King's Head. Boosbeck took a first half lead when Gary Round squared the ball for Lee Maude to score on 22 minutes but in the second half B and H King's Head dominated. Michael Jones rounded the keeper to level the scores within a minute of the restart and on the hour, Brian Crawley gave King's Head the lead direct from a free kick.

Crawley got his second of the game 15 minutes from the end, scoring from a very tight angle and King's Head looked to have the game in the bag.

However, ten minutes remained when Paul Round got on the end of a chipped free kick from Paul Thomas and well into injury time, the same duo combined once again with Round scrambling home Thomas's corner.

Ennis Square and Stokesley shared the points with Alan Jess and Stephen Bennison getting the goals in a 1-1 draw.

Durham Alliance

Durham Victoria Bridge celebrated their new sponsorship deal with Rowan Plastics of Stanley with their first win of the season in thrilling style, turning a 3-0 half-time deficit into a 5-4 home win against Washington Cross Keys. Goals from David Forster, Mark Gardiner, James Mason and Anthony Robson (2), Cross Keys' goals from Paul Diamond (3) and Andrew Howell. Seaham The Duke maintained their 100 per cent record with a 4-2 win at Herrington CW with goals from Martin Taylor (2), Micky Watson and Craig Price. Herrington's goals came from Mark O'Connell and Mark Bunery.

Boys Welfare lost for the first time this season when their depleted squad went down 7-3 to an impressive Washington Westwood. Micky Hammond with six and Dean Hollings scored for Westwood and were 409 up after 20 minutes. Geoff Cooper (2) and James Parkinson replying.

Springwell Village won 4-0 at Ebchester with goals from Paul Hardy (2), Anthony Leek and Paul Wardell.

Sunderland Flying Boat won 5-1 at home to Chesters with goals from Chris Clark (2), Stephen Forster, David Hewison (pen) and Alister Hailes. Anthony Bessford for Chester from 25 yards. Birtley Reserves gained their first point with a 1-1 draw at home to Whitehill, Mark Rumbles and Scott Lewis scoring.

Darlington and District League

Four teams hold 100 per cent records and Cleveland Bridge were the day's biggest winners putting eight past Post Boy, depleted by suspensions, without reply. Bridge's scorers were Duane Beagle, Ross Ainslie, Chris Scott each with a brace, Scott Raper and an own goal, Darren Ridehalgh was man of the match.

East End beat Cricketers 5-1 for whom David Lewis with a penalty had deservedly equalised in the first half. However, East End regained the lead from the spot and almost immediately went two goals ahead.

East End exploited gaps in the visitors' defence and Cricketers pushed forward to add two further goals.

Steve Johnson got his third hat-trick of the season and Shaun Collins (pen) and John Banks were East End's other scorers.

Newton Aycliffe played some excellent football as they brushed aside DGSOB with a 6-0 victory.

Killinghall Arms remained on the tails of the leaders as goals from Mark Churchman, Paul Walker, Matthew Hanafin, Daniel Fleary and an own goal helped them to a 6-3 victory against DSRM.

For the third succesisve week Shuttle and Loom were involved in a nine-goal thriller but lost out by the odd goal to Hole in the Wall.

Archdeacon finally got off the mark for the season and in an end-to-end game their three goals were insufficient to get any points and Speedy Hire scored seven times through man of the match Graham Weir (3), Mike O'Connor, Alan Gowling, Alistair Lancaster and sub Mark Stapley.

In a keenly contested game a goal in each half from Andrew Marshall and man of the match Stephen Stacey gave RA Social a 2-0 win at Spraire for whom Steven Shaw was man of the match.

Hathaway Auckland and District League

Darlington RA remain with a 100 per cent record after Saturday's games. They beat nearest challengers Cockfield 1-0 with a penalty in the second half from leading scorer Graham Dodsworth.

Glaxo won their first game with a 3-1 win over local rivals Middleton Wanderers. Giaxo led 1-0 at half-time with a goal from Antony Bayles. Phil McQuire increased their lead in the second period, with Peter May pulling a goal back for Middleton. Anthony Bayles sealed the points for Glaxo with his second goal of the game.

Brandon Station were another team to win their first game, with a 3-0 success over previously unbeaten Brewer and Firkin. They led 1-0 at half-time with a goal from Jimmy

Slater. The same player added a second early in the second half, and Colin Wood scored their third near the end.

Roddymoor beat Quinns Inn 2-1. David Snow opened the scoring for Roddymoor, with David Elliott equalising for Quinns Inn in the second half. Dwayne Hinds scored the Roddymoor's winner in the last minute.

Shildon Railway beat Black and Decker 2-1, Rob Mazur opening the scoring for Black and Decker, with Barry Dodsworth equalising for SN0bn Railway. In the second half Mark Cairns scored the winner for the Railwaymen.

Witton Park got back to winning ways with a 7-0 thumping of under-strength DSRM with goals from Carl Thexton 3, Derek Cooper 3, and Ashley Wilson