The highlights of this week's fixtures were the Quarter Finals of The Northern Echo League Cup on Sunday, with the game of the day taking place between first division Spraire RA and Peppers Draughting Services of Division Three.

Peppers came into the game full of confidence having won all twenty seven of their league games on their way to the Division Three championship, and the game was given an extra edge as several of the Peppers side turned out for Spraire last season. The game certainly lived up to the pre-match hype as both sides created chances galore only to be thwarted by Darren Peacock and David Hardisty between the sticks for Spraire and PDS respectively. However, when Peppers' Michael Carter finally broke the deadlock it wasn't to last for long as Danny Richmond soon levelled matters up.

As the game ebbed and flowed it wasn't going to be long before another goal came, and once more it was in Peppers favour as Garry Williamson's cool finish against his former side edged PDS back in front. Once more though, Spraire fought back, and Martin Brown brought Spraire back level with a fine header. With the game poised for extra-time, Spraire threw caution to the wind as they looked for a late winner, and they were richly rewarded as Steven Shaw took advantage of a goalmouth scramble to lift the ball into the roof of the net and send Spraire into the semi-finals.

Elsewhere, in the cup quarter finals Hope Inn, who are currently lying in second place in Division Three, moved into the next round with a very impressive 4-3 victory over as East End WMC side that currently reside in second place in Division One. The Hope started the game brightly and swept into a 1-0 lead thanks to a goal from Adam Wilson and, despite an East End equaliser from Stephen Johnson soon after, they carried a deserved 2-1 lead into the interval as Trenton Hewitt scored his first goal of the game.

East End were shaken up by a strong half-time team-talk though, and they came charging out of the blocks at the start of the second half as Johnson and Neil Jackson struck the goals to put them in the lead for the first time in the game. However, just as the first division side looked to have done tnough to seal the victory, Hewitt bagged his second of the game to draw things level again. Club captain Danny Chapman then capped a fine performance as he struck a spectacular winning goal as the Hope clung on to secure the victory despite some immense East End pressure at the death.

Newton Aycliffe Sports Club also secured their passage to the semi-finals with a 3-1 victory over fellow first division side Nestfield Club, whilst in the final quarter final tie, Division One champions Coundon Foresters were pitted against AFC Orange who are favourites to take the third promotion spot from Division Two. However, despite coming into the tie under-strength, the champions were soon in the driving seat as Kev Bromley provided a smart finish to a fine move to put the Foresters 1-0 up in the opening fifteen minutes. However, Orange weren't going to be steam-rollered by Coundon, and they gave a good account of themselves, as the score remained 1-0 at half time. However, Coundon turned on the style in the second half as man-of-the-match Kev Bromley smashed the ball into the top corner to make the top score 2-0. Super-sub Ian Lowes then hit a stunning left foot strike from 25 yards before Derek Cooper completed the scoring with a tap-in from close-range to complete the scoring as Coundon progressed with a 4-0 victory. Due to the prevalence of Division One sides in the cup, only one league game took place in the top flight, as Hurworth Albion added to Bishop Auckland Cricket Clubs worries with a 3-1 home victory. However, they had to come from behind as the Cricket Club took an early lead via a Michael Slater penalty. However, Hurworth equalised soon after when Andrew West headed home a Richard Hill free kick, before Hill himself fired home direct from a free kick to completely turn the game around just before half time. The second half started much as the first half ended, however, as the Cricket Club piled on the pressure from the start. However, the Albion weathered the storm thanks to some fine saves from Stephen Craggs, before David Walker headed home with only minutes remaining to give Hurworth the 3-1 victory. In the only other first division game to take place this week, Shuttle & Loom and Nestfield Club drew 2-2 on Thursday night.

In Division Two, Killinghall Arms are now sat pretty at the top of Division Two as they caught up their two games in hand on All Stars with a 5-1 midweek victory over Canney Hill, followed by a 3-1 victory over Royal British Legion on Sunday, which clinched the league championship. However, the Killy were given a scare by the Legion, as they took advantage of a nervy opening from the Killy defence as Trevor Cooke nipped in to put the visitors ahead from close range. However, the Killy were soon back on level terms as Mike Smith sent the 'keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot to make the half time score 1-1.

The second half was a completely different story, however, as the host's peppered shots on the Legion goal, and their perseverance was finally rewarded when Danny Fleary's shot was parried to Paul Mulrooney who side footed home from close range to notch his first goal of the season. The Killy then increased their lead five minutes later as a fine chip from Chris Jordison hit the bar, but the rebound was blasted home by Danny Fleary.

Elsewhere in Division Two, AFC Orange's promotion was confirmed on Sunday as Bishop Auckland Derby's 2-2 draw with Canney Hill meant that the Derby couldn't overturn Orange's position in third place despite their 4-2 victory over Grey Horse in midweek. Yates Wine Lodge also continued their fine run of form with a 4-0 victory over Sadberge - a result that seals Sadberge's relegation back to Division Three following their 4-1 defeat to Green Dragon.

In the only other second division games, Copper Beech DCS beat Royal British Legion 3-1 in midweek, whilst Jack Horners beat Green Dragon 4-1 on Sunday. Those defeats leave the Legion safe from relegation, but the Green Dragon may still fall into the last relegation spot, depending on how Canney Hill and Grey Horse fare in their games in hand.

In Division Three, Peppers Draughting Services didn't play in the league this week and are still in need of a point to seal the third division championship as FR Aviation's 8-1 midweek victory over Sherwoods and 2-0 victory over AXA Insurance at the weekend kept the pressure on Hope Inn as they both tussle for the runners-up spot.

Meanwhile, Middleton St George Cricket Club are odds-on to finish in fourth place following their 2-0 midweek victory over Smith & Allan and 4-2 victory over promotion rivals Drinkfield United at the weekend, and with at least three games in hand on their promotion rivals, a place in the second division looks assured next season.

Pizza Perfekt look like they'll take the fifth and final promotion spot, but their hopes were almost dealt a severe blow as they struggled to gain a point on Sunday in a 2-2 draw with Haughton BAT, although their three points gained in their 3-1 midweek victory over Falchion should be enough to keep them clear of Haughton, Emcor and Drinkfield who are challenging for the final promotion spot. Haughton and Drinkfield both met on Thursday night, with the two sides playing out a 2-2 draw, and that draw may prove crucial, as both sides will rue the dropped points.

Elsewhere in the league, Emcor have shot up the table thanks to a 3-0 midweek victory over AFC Aruba followed swiftly by a 4-1 away victory against Cricketers at the weekend. Sid Seddon, John Hughes, Stu Fawcett and Daz Scott notched the Emcor goals that earned them the victory on Sunday, whilst Scott Hall notched the Cricketers consolation. Meanwhile, Royal Oak picked up a hard-fought 1-0 midweek victory over AXA Insurance, but they were pegged back by Newton Cap who picked up a point in a 3-3 draw.

The Oak looked like they were going to stroll to victory as Stu Boughen diverted home Simon York's shot before Matt Dunn made the score 2-0 as he rounded the 'keeper to slot the ball into an empty net. However, the Cap weren't going to give up as they have showed an increased resilience in recent weeks, and they got a goal back through Mark Ross.

The second half began much as the first had, with the Oak applying most of the pressure, and they felt aggrieved not to take a 3-1 lead as Boughen had a strike ruled out for off side despite the home sides protestations. The Cap were content to hit the Oak on the break though, and with man-of-the-match Michael Kay providing a good outlet for the defence it wasn't long before they got back on level terms, as Andrew Marley struck to make the score 2-2. The Oak once more pushed on though, and Neil Jollie nodded them back in front, but an exquisite 30-yard free kick from Shaun Hunter levelled matters up just before the full time whistle as Newton Cap picked up a deserved point.

In the only remaining third division game, AFC Aruba picked up a 3-1 away victory against Falchion.