These are early days but on the evidence so far, New Marske are going to take some stopping in the race for honours.

They enhanced their reputation still further by demolishing high-riding Annfield Plain in the First Round of the Sunderland Shipowners' Cup.

A six-goal blitz took their tally from nine league and cup matches to a creditable 32 goals.

The tie was effectively over for Annfield Plain in the first 12 minutes by which time they had leaked three goals. The Seasiders were five up inside 51 minutes and although Scott Hardy and Paul Henderson reduced the growing deficit, there was no way back for the visitors who finished 6-2 behind.

Sam Garvie, Jonathan Kemp (og), Graeme Solomon, Nicky Ward (pen) and the Mackin twins Shaun and Michael, all found the net.

Willington went through 3-1 at Coxhoe Athletic with strikes by Andrew Howard (2) and Paul McVittie. Paul Broom claimed a consolation for the home side.

East Durham United defeated Guisborough Black Swan 4-2 on penalties after the sides had shared a 2-2 draw Shaun Brewster and Lewis Collinson netted for United with David Campbell twice on target for Black Swan.

Ryhope CW went out 5-3 at Cleator Moor Celtic for whom Zak Rudd completed a hat-trick which included two penalties. Lee Dunn and Craig Branney also found the net with Peter Benson (2) and David Baker replying for Ryhope.

Boldon CA had a 3-0 success over Harton and Westoe thanks to goals from David Hopper (2) and Mark Williams.

Hartlepool won at Windscale after Andy Ross and Chris Archer netted. Wolviston visited Whitehaven and although Tom Burke scored, the Cumbrians edged the result with goals by Stephen Hewitt and Lee Dixon.

Although Easington Colliery trailed when Michael Armstrong and David Wheeler netted for Cleadon SC, they battled back for a point thanks to James Gillespie and Peter Crawford.

Teesside Athletic lost 3-1 at Ashbrooke Belford House who scored courtesy of Gary Shields, Michael Connor and Kenny Taylor. Andy Bean got a consolation.

Andrew Barclay rifled four goals and Jay Telford a hat-trick in Jarrow's 7-1 defeat of Silksworth Community.

In the UniBond League Newcastle Blue Star beat Clitheroe 3-1 at Kingston Park. David Nicholls and David McTiernan put them 2-0 up before half-time. Clitheroe pulled a goal back before Dean Critchlow scored.

Gateshead brushed Hendesford aside by 6-2 at the International Stadium.

Jamie Harwood scored twice with Phil Cave, Chris Hughes and Dave Southern (2) scoring the other goals.

Whitby also scored six, against Stamford, Tony Hackworth scoring a hat-trick. Anthony Ormerod, Mattie Appleby and Alex Janes scored the others.