In the premier Ferryhill Greyhound are clear top by two points.

They won 2-0 away to Penshaw Catholic Club. It was always a tight game with Ferryhill have a slight edge, but with Penshaw always dangerous. Ferryhill took the lead when Cantwell put away a spot kick given for a foul on David Stephenson but no further score came before the interval. After the restart play swung end to end, Ed Hamilton hit the post for Penshaw, but 15 minutes from time former Darlington player Kevan Smith scored for Ferryhill to settle the issue 2-0.

Newly-promoted Darlington Croft are finding it difficult to settle in the premier. They lost 5-1 to Northumberland side Marden. Marden held the initiative from the start and it was only good defensive work which kept the half-time score at 2-0 to the hosts. The restart followed the same pattern and Marden led 5-0 before Croft pulled one back in the closing stages. Star of the match was Marden's Ian Chaytor who scored four goals and Paul Greig one.

Norton Stockton, who have started badly this season and are urgently seeking new players, surely there are some Over-40s in their area who can turn out for them? They lost 2-0 at home to Usworth. The first half was fairly even, but chances were missed by both teams. John Tookey gave the visitors the lead when he scored with a 25-yard daisy-cutter shortly after the restart. Norton fought back but Usworth's defence held firm and in the closing minutes Dave Armstrong settled the issue when a fine solo run he beat two men and then the keeper to make it 2-0 to the visitors.

In division one Glaxo shattered Consett's unbroken run by defeating them 5-1 and with two games in hand of most of those teams above them could go top. They must have a chance of promotion on this form. They always looked the better side and led 3-0 at the interval taking the lead after ten minutes when Kevin Hodgson scored with a rocket from just outside the box. Alan Gates then made it 2-0 when he cleverly flicked a cross from Hodgson into the net and not long after made it 3-0 when he headed home a rebound from the bad shot by Hodgson. The restart was similar with Castle still in command and Gates completed his hat-trick when he cleverly chipped the keeper from just inside the box to put the Castle 4-0 up. Then came the goal of the match. Neil Franklin scored with a overhead kick from 25 yards out and from a seemingly impossible angle. Consett got a consolation goal in the dying minutes to make it 1-5.

Newton Aycliffe continued their run of success when they won 1-2 away to Grindon Broadway. Aycliffe took the lead courtesy of a goal from Lee Phillips, but Grindon levelled through Bobby Wilson. Alan Olivier scored the winner for Aycliffe.

In division two the odds on favourites for promotion Langley Park Rams Head, were without a fixture as the other hopefuls took advantage. Gateshead Greencroft won 4-1 at home against Darlington Rail who scored first, but failed to put away their scoring chances whereas Gateshead did. Ian Mulholland equalised shortly before half-time for Gateshead. After the restart Darlington continued to attack, but just could not score and it was three late goals, a brace from Tommy Trainor and one from Robbie Dunbar, which settled the issue 4-1 in Gateshead's favour.

In division three Crook Town, who are the draw experts, once again drew 1-1 against Durham C Strollers who are joint leaders. Crook, if they got their act together, would be favourites for promotion, again trailed through failure of their defence to close mark their opponents. Durham headed home from a corner five minutes from time. Billy Dunn saved the day when from the edge of the box he curled in a shot which gave the keeper no chance and levelled the scores 1-1.

West Cornforth turned in a brilliant performances to win 4-2 at home against Houghton Swifts. They began with attacking football putting Swifts under pressure and led 3-0 at the break. After the restart they scored again to go 4-0 before Swifts rallied to score two late goals. Cornforth's star was Hudson who scored four of his side's five goals.