Cup weekend saw places up for grabs in the second round, but it was the four teams playing in the preliminary round, who were looking for a victory to get them a place in the first round.

First division high flyers Nestfield visited third division Falchion and Falchion's cup hoodoo struck again as they fell at the first hurdle once more. But the visitors did not have it all their own way in the first half and with the score only 2-1 at the break it looked as though Falchion were keeping pace with their opponents. That soon changed in the second half when Nestfield were forced to make changes after going down to ten men. The home side failed to cope with Nestfield's quick passing and the tempo of the game proved too much for the home side, as man of the match Garry Mitchell hit a double hat-trick, Kevin Weir found the net twice and Rod Brown made it nine for the visitors, Mike Layton scored the Falchion's consolation as the game finished 9-1 to Nestfield to set up a first round tie away to Killinghall Arms.

In the other preliminary round tie Goodfellas got the better of Drinkfield United with a 3-1 victory, with the winners gaining a home draw against first division Brinkburn Wanderers

Top scorers of the day were Middleton St. George, who entertained Royal Oak and dominated proceedings from start to finish. They took an early lead through Dan Hanafin, who went on to produce a man of the match performance as he helped himself to five goals on the day, the back of the net was found on a regular basis as Mark Evans notched a hat-trick a double strike from the in form Michael Cairns and one each from John Sunter and Jamie Langburn, but the goal of the game came from a 25 yard free-kick from Mark Brischuk, the visitors were outclassed and a double from John Woods was all the Royal Oak could find on the day as Middleton St. George ran out 13-2 winners.

When third division Axa Insurance played hosts to second divison Hole in the Wall, both sides fielded weakened teams with key players missing from both teams. Indeed Axa began the game with only ten men and only got back to full strength when midfielder Craig Stoddart arrived midway through the first half. By the time he arrived his side were 2-1 down. The Hole in the Wall with the advantage of the extra man took the initiative from the start and created several chances, while Axa were reduced to hitting the opposition on the break. Two excellent 20 yard strikes from John Anderson and John Hughes for the visitors were scored either side of a superb individual goal from Chris Wilson to put the second division side on top. However Axa kept battling and an equaliser came when Greg Wilde found the back of the net just before the interval to make the half time score 2-2. The second half saw more of the same as the visitors laid siege to the Axa penalty area, and only some wayward finishing and desperate defending kept the scores level. It seemed as though it was only a matter of time before breakthrough came, but it was Axa who snatched a surprise win as they sprang the offside trap, for Wilde to cooly slot home his second of the game with less than ten minutes left. It was only a stunning save from Axa keeper Luke Stott in the final minutes that preserved their lead and saw Axa progress into the second round.

The Northern Echo found their third divison opponents The Cricketers in defiate mood during the first 45 minutes and with Kenneth Burns in the visitors goal in superb form, it was only a single strike from the in form Darren Henderson that proved the difference between the two sides at the break. The second half was a different story as the Echo dominated play and the majority of the second 45 minutes was played in the visitors half, the influential John Graham converted a penalty after a hand ball offence in the box, to give the home side a two goal lead. Gary Pallas helped himself to two goals, the second being a superb individual effort as he picked the ball up on the half way line, running at the opposition defence he took on and beat six men to fire an unstoppable shot from just in side the penalty area giving the keeper no chance. Craig Maddison, after a long string of injuries, came off the bench to find the back of the net from a free kick from 20 yards for his first goal of the season, Rob Carter continuing his fine form in recent games hit the top corner of the net with an excellent strike, and when Henderson grabbed his second of the game with a neat chip over the advancing keeper, it rounded off a fine second half peformance by the Echo giving them 7-0 victory.

League newcomers St. Augustines travelled to one of the most established teams, in first divison leaders Newton Aycliffe Sports Club and it was the experienced side who progressed to the second round. Andrew Cairns found the net for the visitors, but goals from Kevin, Watson, Mark Foster, Wayne Anderson, Paul Baird, an own goal, two from Craig Clarke and a hat-trick for man of the match John Shotton saw the Sports Club cruise to a 10-1 victory.

Third Division MN All Stars travelled to first division Hurworth Albion and the first half saw an even game with neither side creating many clear cut chances on goal, the second 45 minutes started much as the first, but with Hurworth reduced to ten men, it was the home side who made the breakthrough when Darren Tate scored from a free kick, and with time running out for the All Stars it was Hurworth who were awarded a penalty in the last minute when it was Kevin Russell who converted from the spot to make the final score 2-0.

Haughton from division three overcame their second division opponents Smurfit in a close game it was Haughton who took an early lead, through Paul Cooper and managed to hold on with a strong defensive display before Smurfit got an equaliser when Fred Wood got his name on the scoresheet. The second half saw the two teams even each other out, before two late breakaway goals Cooper doubling his tally on the day and a fine run and a cool finish from Paul Legg settled things for a 3-1 victory for Haughton.