Inthe premier league Norton-Stockton's fight against relegation continues, unbeaten since November 8, they defeated Penshaw Catholic 2-1 at home last Saturday and are now third from bottom and have games in hand of the clubs above them.

The next two weeks sees them involved in cup ties so that it will be in the New Year before league matches restart. Heroes of the game against Penshaw were their two goalscorers, Mark Steele and Wayne Lawson.

Ferryhill Greyhound stay in second spot when they won 1-0 away to Darlington Croft in a very tight game. Ferryhill took the lead after ten minutes when Geoff Mason scored and from then there were very few clear cut scoring chances. Outstanding players were midfielder Geoff Marr for Ferryhill and centre back Paul Power and Mark Smith for Darlington Croft.

In division one the leaders Consett lost 2-0 at home to second placed Wardley Green in a game which the visitors always had the edge.

Glaxo stay fourth after losing 4-3 at home to lowly placed Sedgefield. The Castle began in fine style and very quickly took the lead when Nookie Proud shot home a cross from Kevin Hodgson. Sedgefield came straight back and levelled when Mel Chaytor scored with a fantastic diving header and shortly before half-time went 2-1 up from a fine solo effort by John Barber. After the restart the game swung from end to end and Stuart Brown equalised for the Castle. Minutes later John Barber shot home a piledriver from 35 yards to restore Sedgefield's lead and then went on to score his hat-trick and put the visitors 4-2 in the lead. Ten minutes from time the Castle's outstanding player, the evergreen Phil Dawe pulled one back by hitting a daisycutter from 25 yards to make it 4-3, but time had almost run out and Castle just could not get the equaliser.

Newton Aycliffe failed to deliver losing 2-5 away to Moor House. The home side dominated the first half and led 3-0 before Aycliffe pulled one back close on half-time. After the restart they went 4-1 up but Aycliffe made it 2-4 only for Moor House to make it 5-2 in the closing minutes when Kevin Lye netted. Man of the match was Moor House's player John Scragg who was outstanding throughout the game by scoring four goals.

In division two Billingham Town failed to draw away from the relegation zone by losing 3-1 away to fellow strugglers the Marsden Inn and are now second from bottom on goal difference.

In division four Wynyard Old Boys also missed their chance as they lost 4-2 at home to Marsden Vets. The first half was fairly even and ended 1-1 but after the restart the Old Boys virtually gifted the game to the visitors. First a misplaced back pass let them take the lead, hesitation in defence made it 1-3 and finally failure to clear their lines made it 1-4. The only bright spot for the Old Boys was Paul Davison who scored both goals.

In the Kenny Ball Cup first round Crook Town lost 1-2 at home to Red House who are one of division two's favourites for promotion. It was a very exciting game in which Crook gave as good as they got and the result was always in doubt.

Langley Park Rams Head at last seemed to have settled down and once again showed their true colours by beating the Barnes Hotel 4-0 at home. The first half saw Rams having the edge and leading 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Gary Collins. The restart saw the Rams slowly but surely gaining control of the match and further goals from Collins and a brace from Kevin

Chatterton settled the issue 4-0 in Rams' favour.

Wynyard Vets were in sparkling form winning 4-1 away to Regency Windows. The first half was fairly even with the division three side only 0-1 down to third placed division three side courtesy of a Freddy Surplus goal. The restart saw Wynyard taking control and three more goals followed from Alan Morning, Mo Najah and Peter Boldison before Peter Oxman pulled one back for Windows.

Division Four newcomers Horden Comrades shocked division two side Durham C Strollers by holding them to a 2-2 draw to force extra time and then go on to win 4-3 in the penalty shoot out. Colin Egan, who played a blinder, twice shot Horden into the lead, but Durham levelled on both occasions but the real hero of the match was their keeper Donald Glendenning, who pulled off the save of the game and won them the cup tie.

Trimdon Vets pulled off the shock of the first round by defeating division two promotion contenders Hylton Castle 3-0 at home and then neglected to ring in the result, this misdemeanour will cost them a £5 fine.