Consett Sunday League

Stanley Towneley Arms are sitting proudly on top of the First Division for the first time in their history. Last season's Division Two champions are two points clear of Stateside who suffered a surprise 2-1 defeat at Lintz Cricket Club.

The Towneley Arms have remained in touch with the leading group all season and have taken their chances while the other condenders have started to fade.

Taking full advantage of the Stateside slip, there was no such problems for the Towneley who beat Highwayman 4-0 with goals from Alan College, Ivan Moxon, Darren Grimes and Lee Tweedy.

AK Leisure got a much-needed win when a Kevin Thompson hat-trick guided them to a 5-1 win at the Bute Arms and Blackhill Comrades secured a similar sized win over Annfield Plain Cricket Club.

A narrow odd goal in seven win over Stanley Central sees Lanchester Social hold on to the top of Division Two with a four point gap and game in hand over Tantobie who have overtaken Chopwell.

Tantobie beat neighbours Oxhill 4-2 with Aaron Robinson scoring twice along with Barry Cox and Craig Rice before Paul Pilkington landed the Oxhill double.

The now third-placed Chopwell suffered a shock 2-0 loss at the Cricketers to goals from Mark Guthrie and Carl McGuigan.

Ian Harrington scored twice to see Burnhope to a 4-3 home win over Consett Top Club but it will take another couple of wins if Burnhope are to avoid the drop into Division Three.

In that division, Plainsman are back on top after a late goal earned them a 4-3 win over Delves United.

However, both the Bird Inn and Black Horse are just four points adrift and they have each played three games fewer. Two Anthony Broughton goals saw Burton House to a 3-0 win over Horse & Groom while the Bird rattled up a 13-3 win at Prince of Wales.

Stephen Hird hit six goals and Tony Boakes the other two as the Board Inn crushed the Smelters 8-0 while a couple of Graham Baldridge strikes saw Freemasons to a 4-1 win at Medomsley Miners.