CRAIG Parker netted two as second division Binchester Hotel recorded an impressive win over Horndale in the first round of the Invitation Cup.

Binchester, who are currently ninth in Division Two, ended up comfortable winners over promotion-chasing Horndale, who have themselves put together a decent league run.

But it was Binchester who progressed to the second round of the Invitation Cup thanks to Parker's double, plus a goal each from David Parker, Gary Robinson and David Leary.

"It was a cracking game," said manager Jimmy Tray. "We're delighted with the win and thought we fully deserved it.

"It was 2-2 at half-time, but we had hit the post four times and the crossbar twice, so we felt that we should have been comfortably ahead by then.

"But then it was all us after half-time and really dominated the game, ending comfortable winners. Horndale are a good side so it just showed the lads how well they can play." Wayne Pratt and Adrian Gough scored Horndale's goals.

Elsewhere in the first round last week, Newton Aycliffe beat Postchaise 6-1 thanks to goals by Jason Wing (3), Richard Dimambro Walters (2) and Russell Mercer. Phil Dowd scored for Postchaise.

Lakeside whacked North Briton 11-1 with goals by Wayne Marram (5), Marc De Lucia (2), Dave Welsh (2), Steve Hepples and an own goal.

In the second round of the competition, Broompark Loves beat Eldon Arms 2-0 to progress to the quarter-finals - James Richardson and Gavin Wood scoring the goals.

Green Tree eventually got the better of Cumby Arms when a ten-goal affair ended 7-3 in their favour.

Matt Carrick (4), Darren Rutter, Barry Liddle and Andrew Appleton scored for the Tree, with Russell Cant (2) and Andrew Metcalfe netting for Cumby.

Elsewhere, Two Blues also progressed via a 4-1 penalty shoot-out after drawing 0-0 with Binchester Social Club.

That means the quarter-finals of the Invitation Cup currently consists of: Two Blues, Loves, Green Tree, Lakeside/Brawns Den, Newton Aycliffe/Thorns, Shildon Athletic/Salvins, Eldon Lane/Binchester Hotel, Old Shildon/Beehive/Boot & Shoe.

In Division One last week, Salvins clinched their third league win of the season with a thumping 7-1 win at the Grand.

And manager Norman Dale hopes his side's improved performances can help them climb up the league.

"We played very well and it was very pleasing," he said. "We've been playing well for a while now so a result like that has been coming and Grand caught us on a good day.

"Now we have Old Shildon, Newton Aycliffe and Lakeside to play in the next three weeks - so there's no reason we can't put an unbeaten run together!"

Elsewhere, goals by Paul Shaw and Thomas Louden ensured Old Shildon's top-of-the-table victory over leaders Thorns, while in-form Tudhoe United beat Brandon 6-3.

Results round-up, Saturday January 19: Invitation Cup R1: Horndale 2, Binchester Hotel 5; Victoria 0, Shildon Athletic 2; Newton Aycliffe 6, Postchaise 1; North Briton 1, Lakeside 11. R2: Loves 2, Eldon Arms 0; Green Tree 7, Cumby Arms 3; Binchester SC 0, Two Blues 0 (Two Blues won 4-1 on pens).

Division One: Brandon 3, Tudhoe Utd 6; Old Shildon 2, Thorns 0; Grand 1, Salvins 7.