The Northern Echo Darlington Sunday Invitation League

On Sunday Nestfield took on Hoppers Transport who finished runners-up to Nestfield Club in Division Two last week. There was only going to be one winner in this game, though, as two goals from man-of-the-match Rod Brown inspired Nestfield to a 6-0 victory over their relegation bound opponents. Wayne Buckley, Gary Mitchell, Martin Williamson and Martin O'Neill also found the target for Nestfield as they continue to set the pace in Division One. However, East End WMC are right on their tails after they eased past bottom side Green Dragon 12-0, and Spraire RA are also right in contention after they defeated Team Scania 7-2. Scania will certainly be looking at a potential relegation fight after their recent run of results, although Springfield were unable to make up any ground on them as their game against Speedwell also fell foul of the weather. In the only remaining Division One game, Brinkburn and Northern Echo played out a 0-0 draw.

In Division Two, Bishop Auckland Cricket Club's 9-3 victory over struggling Sadberge moved them a point clear at the top of the league as their nearest rivals slipped up. Hurworth Albion took on Allstars in a game between two of the favourites to top the division at the start of the season, and they didn't disappoint in producing a fine spectacle of a game. It was Hurworth that took an early advantage as Simon Middlemass's goal gave them a 1-0 lead after a poor clearance from the Allstars defence, but Allstars struck back almost instantly as Michael Bland's fierce shot provided the perfect finish to Gavin Rose's fine run. Hurworth then showed the class that has seen them top the division for much of the season as Darren Wray and Simon Middlemass both found the back of the net after some neat play to make the half-time score 3-1 to the Albion. However, Allstars looked a completely different proposition at the start of the second half, and their constant pressure lead to an own-goal to bring the score back to 3-2. Darren Kokes then showed a glimpse of his early season form as he bagged a brace to put Allstars within touching distance of inflicting only Hurworth's second defeat of the season. However, a late, late strike from James Edwards gave Hurworth a deserved share of the points as the game finished 4-4.

Elsewhere in Division Two, Shuttle & Loom also failed to pick up three points as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bishop Auckland Derby. Jack Horners beat Copper Beech DCS 2-0 thanks to goals from William Tutty and James Cosgrove. In the other game in Division Two, Northern Spirit and Greyhound drew 3-3 - a result which isn't much good for either side as they try to avoid relegation. However, Greyhound thought they had the game sewn up by half-time as they went into the break 2-0 up. Spirit got going soon after half-time though, and a typical surging run and finish from Dave Brown reduced areas, before Matt Dunn scored a stunning goal to bring the scores level. Greyhound struck back though, and took a 3-2

lead, but Spirit weren't to be denied a share of the points, and captain Simon York's glancing header from a fine Chris Vallis free-kick saw Spirit take a point.

AFC Orange remain top of Division Three thanks to a 6-2 victory over Hogans. However, they had to come from a goal behind as Ian Taylor's goal gave Hogans a shock lead. Steven Charlton's sweet right foot finish from the edge of the box brought Orange back into the game, though, before man-of-the-match Chris Wardell bagged a brace to put Orange 3-1 up. Hogans weren't going to lie down though, and Chris Piper struck a disputed penalty to bring the score back to 3-2, but Wardell struck another two goals to stretch Orange's lead before Kevin Kokes scored the goal of the game to complete the scoring. Meanwhile, Canney Hill Athletic's 7-0 victory over Newton Cap keeps them in second place, whilst Yates's Wine Lodge's 4-1 victory over AXA Insurance keeps them on course for promotion. Royal British Legion fell to a surprise 6-2 defeat at the hands of Biglins News however, giving Pizza Perfekt the opportunity to move into striking distance of the fourth promotion spot in Division Three thanks to their 9-0 victory over Faverdale. In the only remaining game in Division Three, Nestfield Seconds maintained their fine run with a 9-2 victory over the Falchion. Hewit top-scored for Nestfield with four goals, whilst Weston and Stobie hit a brace apiece and Jenkinson added another. Ryan Thomas struck both of The Falchion's goals.

DIVISION 1

P W D L F A Pts GD

Nestfield Club 16 10 1 5 59 40 31 19

East End WMC 13 10 0 3 69 25 30 44

Spraire RA 13 9 2 2 59 19 29 40

**Coundon Forresters 12 9 1 2 69 13 25 56

Newton Aycliffe SC 11 7 3 1 38 14 24 24

Speedwell 14 7 1 6 61 38 22 23

Brinkburn 15 6 3 6 50 37 21 13

The Northern Echo 14 6 2 6 37 47 20 -10

Team Scania 15 5 0 10 54 92 15 -38

** Springfield 16 4 1 11 41 72 10 -31

Hoppers Transport 14 2 2 10 24 74 8 -50

Green Dragon 15 1 0 14 28 118 3 -90

** Three points deducted

DIVISION 2

P W D L F A Pts GD

B A Cricket Club 13 11 0 2 110 27 33 83

Shuttle and Loom 12 10 1 1 69 12 31 57

Hurworth Albion 12 10 1 1 63 14 31 49

Jack Horners 14 10 0 4 60 16 30 44

BA The Derby 16 7 3 6 84 56 24 28

All Stars 12 7 2 3 80 23 23 57

Copper Beech DCS 14 5 0 9 35 42 15 -7

Greyhound 14 4 1 9 42 64 13 -22

Sadberge 13 4 0 9 49 62 12 -13

Northern Spirit 15 2 2 11 33 74 8 -41

Smith and Allan 15 0 0 15 10 245 0 -235

DIVISION 3

AFC Orange 15 14 0 1 68 12 42 56

Canney Hill Ath 16 12 2 2 73 27 38 46

Yates' Wine Lodge 17 12 1 4 61 38 37 23

Royal BL 16 10 2 4 58 37 32 21

Pizza Perfekt 17 9 2 6 76 47 29 29

Nestfield Seconds 16 7 4 5 54 42 25 12

Biglins News 15 7 2 6 48 33 23 15

Faverdale 16 5 2 9 47 62 17 -15

The Falchion 16 4 2 10 33 57 14 -24

Newton Cap 14 4 1 9 32 78 13 -46

AXA Insurance 17 3 0 14 30 66 9 -36

Hogans 17 0 0 17 24 106 0 -82

Bowman Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League

GEORGE executed their revenge on derby rivals Old Shildon by dumping them out of the Invitation Cup.

Shildon previously beat the George 4-2 in League action two weeks ago. But the George returned the favour last Sunday with a 4-2 reverse to ensure their passage into the second round of the competition. Darryl Meadows put the George ahead before Ian Maddison drew level. But Pat Bowtell nudged the George back in front before half-time. Dave Leighton converted a penalty to make it 3-1 before Darren Plaice pulled another back for Shildon. But the Dixon brother partnership pulled off for the George when Jeff and Tony combined to put the game beyond Shildon's reach. Jeff cleverly back-heeled to Tony, who slotted impressively from 20 yards.

"It was a good close game, but I thought we just edged it," said George manager Stuart Timmiss, who won his side's man-of-the-match award with a string of fine saves in the second half.

"We were pleased to get one over the current League-leaders, especially having been beaten by them previously, so it was a great result for us." Shildon midfielder Martin Hedley said: "We were very disappointed. They played the better football in the first half, but we came back into it in the second and attacked them well. We felt we deserved to go to extra-time at least, but they've killed the game off with the fourth goal."

Elsewhere in the Invitation Cup, Division One outfit Eldon Lane crashed out with a 3-0 defeat against Division Two leaders Spennymoor Thorns. Mark Russell grabbed two and Andrew Richardson one to complete Thorns' victory.

Four goals by Peter Boucher - and one by Brendan Young - didn't stop Brandon from dropping out to the hands of North Briton. Two goals by Dennis Tounsen and one each by Francis Hannon, Gary Toal and Michael Todd forced the game into extra-time and penalties - with the Brit going through.

Binchester Social Club beat Laceys 6-3 with goals by Darren Spark (two), John Wheatley (two), Anthony Binks and Scott Smith. Joe Cole grabbed a trick for Laceys.

Postchaise progressed to the second round with a 7-1 victory over Binchester Hotel. Ray Walton (two), Lee Taylor, Stu Beattie, John-Paul Greeves, Phil Dowd and Scott Stainsby all scored for Postchaise, while Kevin Sweeney scored Binchester's consolation.

In Division Two, Green Tree beat Boot & Shoe 5-0 thanks to goals by Darren Johnson (two), Darren Rutter, Kevin Stamp and Gavin Wilson, while Two Blues beat Victoria 2-0 with goals by James Smith and Gavin Wilson. Brawns Den also beat the Locomotion 5-1.

DIVISION ONE

P W D L F A Pts

Old Shildon 14 10 1 3 56 26 31

Huntsman 13 9 3 1 62 26 30

New Masons 12 9 1 2 41 25 28

Newton Aycliffe 9 7 1 1 41 18 22

Europa 10 6 1 3 28 24 19

The Grand 12 6 1 5 2 33 19

Royal George 12 5 1 6 28 33 16

Eldon Lane 12 4 3 5 33 37 15

Salvins 12 3 1 8 34 35 10

Laceys 13 2 3 8 32 55 9

Horndale 12 1 2 9 23 49 5

Brandon 14 1 2 11 23 70 5

DIVISION TWO

Spennymoor Thorns 18 17 0 1 108 24 51

Broompark Loves 5 13 1 1 77 15 40

Postchaise 18 12 1 5 72 45 37

Black Horse* 15 12 1 2 66 28 34

Binchester Social Club 15 11 1 3 50 26 34

Brawns Den 16 10 0 6 62 34 30

Masons United 17 8 3 6 48 24 27

Green Tree 17 8 0 9 45 57 24

Victoria* 19 6 1 0 35 68 18

Shildon Athletic 16 5 1 10 36 54 16

Boot & Shoe 19 5 1 13 40 82 16

North Briton 19 5 0 14 48 67 15

Locomotion 14 4 1 9 41 53 13

Two Blues 16 4 1 11 34 69 13

Pit Laddie 16 4 0 2 31 68 12

Binchester Hotel 18 2 0 16 23 97 6

*3 pts deducted

Darlington and District League

While only three games beat the weather there were plenty of goals to keep spectators' hands warm with the net being hit 28 times. Pride of places goes to Shuttle and Loom on their 13-0 demolition of Grey Horse saw them take over top spot in the table.

Another team to take advantage of Post Boy's black Saturday were East End WMC who beat Speedy Hire by the odd goal in three at Haughton School and moved into a clear third place. Mark Maddison was on the scoresheet for East End Alan Gowling replied.

The Albion who have games in hand of all the teams above them could well take a big hand in the destination of the championship provided their cup exploits do not take their toll later in the season. On Saturday they demolished bottom club DSRM SC 12-0 with 16-year-old Adrian Weston notching five, Gave Bell four, Darren Kacis, Jonathan Robson with an excellent 25-yarder and Christopher Robinson their scorers.

Would all clubs please not that the draw for the first and second rounds of the Kingfisher Cup will be made at the February management committee meeting - ties to be played in April.

P W D L F A Pts

Shuttle and Loom 17 11 4 2 82 27 37

Post Boy 14 11 3 0 68 11 36

East End WMC 17 11 2 4 76 32 35

Archdeacon 15 9 2 3 72 30 30

Albion 12 8 3 1 16 14 27

RA Social 13 8 3 2 52 24 27

Killinghall Arms 17 6 5 6 35 33 23

Newton Aycliffe 18 7 2 9 57 56 23

*Rothmans 15 8 0 7 48 49 21

Speedy Hire 17 4 4 9 35 50 16

*Greyhounds 14 4 2 8 28 46 11

DGSOB 15 3 2 10 28 62 11

Grey Horse 17 2 0 15 26 120 6

DSRM SC 17 0 1 16 19 123 1