This week saw the conclusion of the First Round of The Northern Echo League Cup, as all of the postponed ties from earlier in the season were rearranged.

Newton Aycliffe Sports Club racked up the biggest score of the day as they totally dominated in their game against second division Sadberge. Within half an hour the home side's slick passing had lead to five goals without reply, and by the end of the match the first-division high-flyers had blown away all the cobwebs from their Christmas lay-off as they ran out 18-0 victors. Man-of-the-match John Shotton top-scored for Aycliffe with an impressive seven-goal haul, whilst Chris Postle (5), Wayne Anderson (3), Ray Stanger (2) and James Miller also got a piece of the goalscoring action.

Elsewhere, AFC Orange also cruised through to round two following their game with The Falchion. Kevin Kokes gave the home side an early lead with a well-taken goal before Jamiel Albarq doubled the Orange advantage as he curled a free kick into the top corner. Despite the two-goal deficit, The Falchion did manage to get a foot hold in the game but Orange proved to be just too strong for them as Steven Walton coolly slotted home after latching onto a loose ball, before Richard Parsons made the score 4-0 from the penalty spot. Richard Bestford (2) and Chris Wardell then added further goals to make the score 7-0 before Richard Young grabbed a consolation from the penalty spot for The Falchion. Orange kept attacking though and Steven Walton made the score 8-1 before a defensive mix-up allowed The Falchion's Stu Notman to grab the final goal of the game as Orange ran out worthy 8-2 victors.

Spraire RA also progressed safely to the second round as the first division side picked up a 7-0 away win against third division Drinkfield United thanks to goals from Darren Towers (3), Danny Richmond (2), Richard Tutty and Nev Fuller. Meanwhile, Nestfield Club also progressed at the expense of a side from a lower division, as they beat second division Jack Horners 6-2.

Garry Mitchell top-scored with a hat trick for the first division side, whilst Adi Weston (2) and Rodney Brown also found the back of the net. John Woods and Paul Scott struck the Jacks goals.

Smith & Allan, who are currently sat at the bottom of the third division, gave second division Canney Hill an early scare when Gareth Hodgson struck to give the visitors an early lead. However, Smith & Allan's hopes of progressing to the next round were soon dashed as the home side proceeded to dominate the game as they ran out as worthy 5-1 victors. Andy Thompson (2), Lee Douthwaite, Paul Simpson and Michael Atkinson struck the Canney Hill goals, but the score would have been certain to be much higher were it not for a man-of-the-match performance from Smith & Allan keeper Jo Cox.

Canney Hill will be joined in the second round by All Stars after they beat fellow second division side Yates Wine Lodge 7-1, whilst third division Emcor will also be in the draw for round two as they picked up an impressive 5-1 away victory against Copper Beech DCS. Hope Inn, also of division three, emulated Emcor's success as they also picked up a 5-1 away victory against second division opposition. Copper Beech DCS were the victims of a fine display by the division three high-flyers, despite taking an early lead thanks to an Alan Gowling strike. Stu Hardy levelled matters just before half-time and in the second half the visitors turned on the style as Hardy notched again, along with Chris Liddle and a brace from Trenton Hewitt to complete the rout.

In the remaining games, first division Brinkburn produced a 6-2 victory over third division AFC Aruba. Dave Lewis and Rob Creek (2) gave Brinkburn a 3-0 lead within the opening 15 minutes, but as the pitch deteriorated in the awful conditions both teams found it increasingly difficult to play some decent football. However, by half time the score was 4-1 thanks to a Steve Appleby strike for the Brinkburn and a Matt Holt goal for Aruba, and Jamie Gardner gave the away side further hope as he made the score 4-2 soon after the interval. However, it wasn't to be as Stuart Alderson struck a second half brace to complete the scoring and see Brinkburn pick up their first victory for quite some time. Finally, the cup-tie between Middleton St George and Central Club was abandoned at the beginning of extra time with the score level at 1-1.

Away from the distractions of the cup, several sides were involved in league action. Coundon Forrester's maintained their incredible league form as they made it ten wins out of ten in the top flight to move three points clear at the top of the table. Lee Ellison struck six for the home side as they steamrollered Northern Echo 14-1. Steven Butler (3), Kurt Warburton (2), Darren Wilson, Gary Angus and Keith Emmerson also notched for the reigning champions as they continue their seemingly unstoppable march to retaining the title. Michael Cairnes struck the Echo goal, but they really need to tighten their defence if they are going to claw themselves clear of the relegation zone.

Elsewhere in Division One, Hurworth Albion ran out 2-0 victors to take all three points from their mid-table clash with Bishop Auckland Cricket Club, whilst East End WMC kept the pressure on Coundon with a fine 3-2 victory over Shuttle & Loom. Mike Dutton and Stuart Curry struck the Shuttle goals but Chris Scott, Stephen Johnson and Wayne Carrick notched the goals that keep the EastEnder's five points clear of third place, although they have played more games than anyone else in the division.

In Division Three, Newton Cap picked up their first point of the season as they picked up a 2-2 draw against AXA Insurance. Meanwhile, Haughton kept up their steady rise up the table as they picked up a 4-1 victory against a faltering Royal Oak. It was the Oak that took the lead through a scrambled Matt Dunn goal midway through the first half, but a Simon York own goal soon had Haughton on level terms, before Karl Lockwood notched from the penalty spot to give Haughton a 2-1 half time lead. The second half saw the Oak applying all the pressure, but a combination of wasteful finishing and stout defending saw Haughton maintain their advantage despite the loss of Paul Cooper who was sent off midway through the half. Lee Walden Vincent then gave Haughton a 3-1 lead as his mis-hit cross floated into the top corner before Ian Wilkin finished the scoring as he scrambled the ball past the Oak 'keeper from a corner.

In the only other game in Division Three, FR Aviation continued their unbeaten run as they beat Sherwoods 5-1 to consolidate their second placed position in the table. It was Sherwoods who started the game brighter, however, and they were unlucky to find themselves a goal behind thanks to a 30-yard screamer from Thompson. It was all downhill from there for the home side though, as Carroll added a brace for the Aviators before Graham headed home to give the Aviators a 4-0 half time lead. Sherwoods got a goal back soon after the interval when Jason Blenkinsop's surging run through the defence was complimented by a fine square ball for Gary Barker to slot home.

However, Sherwoods were unable to take any more of their chances, and Thompson completed the scoring in the dying minutes as he produced a bullet header from a corner to give the Aviators a well deserved 5-1 victory.

* The league committee would like to remind all team secretaries that the next monthly meeting will take place at 7pm on Wednesday, January 29 at Darlington RA Club. All team secretaries are reminded to bring along the usual meeting fee.

T M Disco Crook and District League

Defences were on top when Crook White Swan met West Auckland Queens Head in the Norman Wright Trophy. After a goalless 90 minutes Queens Head took the lead in extra time and then went on the rampage to win 5-0. Matthew Bailes grabbed a hat-trick and other goals came from Andrew Bowes and Carl Jones.

Ian Brown notched a hat trick for Byers Green St Peters but after leading 2-0 his side lost a cracking cup tie at Stanhope Town 4-3. Simon Pugh (2), Andy Lee and Gary Parker scored for Stanhope.

Willington WMC increased their lead at the top with a victory over Tow Law Cattle Mart. Goals from Ian Britton (2) and Ian Woodhall saw Willington into a comfortable half time advantage. Tow Law came back well and two goals from Malcolm Umpleby saw Willington hanging on for a 3-2 win.

Wearhead United took a two goal lead at home to Crook Wanderers but the visitors came back to lead 4-2. United pulled one back but Wanderers drew away again to win 6-4. John Wheatley (3) and Michael Watson (pen) scored for Wearhead and Wanderers replied through Lee Furber (2), Ian Dunn, David Pakes, Stephen Emery and Paul Bailes.

After losing their last three league games Roddymoor bounced back to beat Evenwood White Swan. The only goal came from Kevin Thompson.

Bishop Rugby Club bossed the first half against Howden Australian and two goals from John Paul Collinson gave them a 2-0 half time lead. Craig Robson pulled a goal back but late Australian pressure brought no further reward and Rugby Club held on for three points.