T M Disco Crook and District League: The Durham Minor Cup has proved a tough competition for Crook League sides in recent years and few teams have made much progress. West Auckland Queens Head have proved excellent ambassadors for the league this season and they visited Felling Greyhound in the semi-final. An extraordinary goal from inside his own half by Stephen Hartley put Queens one up and a Matthew Moffatt penalty made it 2-0 at half time. Felling pulled one back in the second half but West held on for a 2-1 win that takes them into the final.

The league is wide open after leaders Byers Green St Peters lost at Bishop Rugby Club. John-Paul Collinson headed Rugby Club into the lead and his second half penalty made the final score 2-0. In form Rugby Club have won six in a row and are right in contention.

Goals from Chris Pounder and Lee Furber gave Crook Wanderers a comfortable half time advantage over Howden Australian. Australian came back through Craig Robson but Furber made it 3-1. Robson added a second for Howden but Wanderers held on for their ninth consecutive league win.

Willington WMC took the lead at Crook White Swan but the home side were on terms by half time through Lee Airey. The visitors proved stronger in the second half and they went on to record a 4-1 win with goals from Malcolm McWilliams (2), Chris Pickles and Dale Parkinson.

James Ivil put Roddymoor on the way to victory against Stanhope Town. Stephen Tyers added a second in the 55th minute and sub Alan Hawkey wrapped up a 3-0 win. This slightly flattered Roddymoor though they did enough to take their unbeaten run to eight league games.

* League officials were amongst those present at the funeral of league vice president Tom Lumsden. He had been a big supporter of local football and will be sadly missed.

League secretary Trevor Hudspeth is looking forward to next season and any new clubs interested in joining the league are asked to contact him at 9 Acacia Gardens, Crook. Alternatively he can be contacted on 01388 764478.

Longhorn Hardware Darlington and District League

Archdeacon 0 v 3 Albion

Despite their 11th successive defeat Archdeacon restored lost pride with their attitude and application in this latest reverse. Albion were kept at bay for 35 minutes before taking the lead which was doubled early in the second half. However, Deacon did not capitulate and maintaining their work rate restricted Albion to a third which moved the latter up to third place in the table.

DSRM SC Reserves 4 v 1 Hole in the Wall

Rollys completed the double over their opponents in recording their third win of the season but for 75 minutes the match looked like ending in an end of season bore-draw. However, Rollys finally broke the deadlock and in the next nine minutes raced into a three-goal lead. Andrew Mackintosh pulled one back from the penalty spot with four minutes remaining, but it was too little too late and Rollys restored their three-goal advantage in the final minute. Neil Willis (2), Liam Coleman and Chris Park scored for the victors and David Wilson won Wall's star man.

Shuttle and Loom 1 v 1 DGSOB

Both goals came in the second half with Terry Greenstreet on the mark for Shuttle and an own goal ensuring a share of the spoils for Old Boys.

League Challenge Cup, semi-final

Grey Horse 0 v 1 Newton Aycliffe

An excellent encounter which was decided by a penalty midway through the second half by Aycliffe's Tony Stafford.

Kingfisher Finance Trophy, second round

East End WMC 3 v 2 Killinghall Arms

Killinghall raced into a two-goal lead with strikes from Phil Rennolds and Danny Hannifin, a lead which they held until half-time. However, the clubmen never gave up and Roy Winter and Mark Maddison levelled matters. Substitute Aaron Radstock stepped off the bench in the 80th minute and it was he who notched his side's dramatic winner to book a semi-final spot against Post Boy.

Durham Minor Cup, semi-final

Wheatley Hill WMC 3 v 0 Post Boy

Post Boy fell behind as early as the second minute and despite hitting the bar and missing a good chance to level, fell further behind when a shot was deflected home. The clubmen secured victory with a third in the final minute.

l Darlington FC have kindly given approval for the league to stage its League Challenge Cup final at Feethams on Wednesday, May 7 (6.30pm). The match will be between Newton Aycliffe and the winner of Post Boy v Albion semi-final tie which is scheduled for April 12.

Darlington Church and Friendly League

With the season getting near the end, the League still has nearly half of the clubs in contention for the title.

One team not in contention however, Darlington Skerne Park, put up a good show before going down to Darlington Travellers Rest 4-2. This was mainly down to some fine keeping by John Jenkinson. For Travellers Mark Dee, Chris Marksby, Jimmy Salmon and Matty Cole were on target.

Darlington GSOB put up their best performance of the season on their visit to Stillington. However The Royal, the home side, took a two goal lead at the interval. They took their chances in the second to add a further three, with Old Boys pulling one back through Dave Challies from the penalty spot. Lee O'Connell grab a pair, with one apiece going to Simon Hares, Mark Warnes and Paul Cleary.

It was a tight affair a Hurworth, where Shildon Elm Road WMC were the visitors, taking on Otter & Fish. Most of the play centred around midfield and neither keeper had what one would say was a busy afternoon. With the sides well matched it was going to be either a draw or a single goal to decide the issue, as it turned out it was a single goal scored by Thomas Louden for Elm Road who took the points.

Chilton Wheatsheaf Wanderers had Darlington RA Youth as visitors and were outpaced by the Darlington boys throughout the game. Darren Kokes, who has been quiet on the goalscoring front lately, came good with a hat-trick. Ross Wetherell was once again on target with a couple, Graham Dodsworth, Colin Cartwright and Mark Flood made it eight with Craig Chapman scoring a consolation goal for Wheatsheaf.

Newton Aycliffe Navy Club started their game with neighbours Aycliffe Saints with only seven players and played most of the first half with these before late comers arrived. By then Saints had built a substantial lead to run out easy winners, the Hall brothers did most damage with Ben scoring six and Jonathan four.

Two Steve Thompson goals gave Darlington The Mowden the edge over Darlington AFC Greyhound at half-time in a well contested game, the only goal of the second half was a brilliant solo effort from Jamie Applegarth to give Mowden a 3-0 win

* Any clubs wishing to join the League for the forthcoming season should send their applications to GS Simpson, 159 Minors Crescent, Darlington, DL3 0DJ (01325) 484678.