The Northern Echo League Cup took priority and Coundon Forresters and East End WMC still remains to be played, as both sides were in action in the Heart Foundation Cup - thus postponing their preliminary round tie until next month.

However, the two other games did go ahead, and it will be Team Scania and Sadberge that go forward into the first round proper. Team Scania of the First Division struggled through what appeared to be a routine game against the leagues bottom side, Hogans, but eventually won out to claim a place in the first round - even though Scania only had eight men for the entire game! Michael Carter opened the scoring for Scania early in the game with a 30-yard thunderbolt of a shot, but a quick-fire double from Chris Piper gave Hogans a 2-1 lead, only for Carter to notch his second goal to take the teams in level at half time. However, Scania started the second half much the stronger side, and Carter soon completed his hat trick before Darren Walker scored two rare goals to put Scania 5-2 ahead. With Scania visibly tiring though, Chris Piper completed his hat trick to bring Hogans back in touching distance, and Kev Howlett also struck to make the score 5-4.

Carter wasn't to be outdone though, and he bagged another two goals in the final ten minutes, and then Martin Bird added a late penalty as Scania made the final score 8-4.

Meanwhile, struggling Sadberge of Division Two defeated first division Springfield 6-2.

In Division Two, Shuttle & Loom inflicted a heavy 4-1 defeat on a Jack Horners side that look to be feeling the pace a little in the title race. Stuart Curry and Chris Airey both bagged a brace for the Shuttle, whilst substitute Michael Thraves notched Jack's consolation. Meanwhile Bishop Auckland Cricket Club continue their good run, as they broke the league record for the biggest margin of victory as they thrashed Smith & Allan 26-0. It will be a result which Smith & Allan will find particularly hard to take, as they have started to show signs of improvement in recent weeks.

However six goals from man of the match Allan Lamb and five apiece from Alan Meadows and Anthony Jaques, added to goals from Michael Barker (3), Craig Best (2), Ross Hardaker, Craig Stobbs, Kevin Slater, Kevin Hamilton and Shaun Hunter secured the Cricket Clubs place in the league history books.

In the remaining game in Division Two, Northern Spirit and Bishop Auckland Derby fought out an entertaining 3-3 draw. However, it looked as though it was going to be all one-way traffic as a fantastic over-head kick from Wayne King gave The Derby a 1-0 lead in the opening minute, and The Derby continued to create some fantastic opportunities.

However, they found Spirit's stand-in 'keeper Preston Slade in terrific form, and from that base, Spirit started to get more into the game, and it came as no surprise when they brought the score back to 1-1. Indeed the only surprise was the identity of the goal-scorer, as Chris Vallis scored his first goal for the club with a thumping 25-yard free kick, which nestled in the bottom corner of the Derby net. However, not content with one fine strike, Vallis then gave Spirit a 2-1 lead as he virtually replicated his first goal identically - the only difference being that this time his strike was from even further away! The Derby weren't to be denied however, and Dale Jardine picked up on a weakly cleared corner to smash in The Derby's equaliser off he underside of the bar to make the score 2-2 at the break. The Derby then raced out in the second half, and Tom Burrows pounced upon another poorly defended corner to hand the advantage back to the visitors. The Spirit defence stood firm once more through The Derby onslaught though, and it was down to Mike Donnelly to give Spirit a share of the spoils, as he curled his free-kick into the top-corner with precision from the edge of the box to make the final score 3-3.

The shock result of the day came in the game between Nestfield Seconds and AFC Orange in Division Three, however, as AFC Orange's 100% record was finally brought to an end by Nestfield youngster Adi Weston. The game started so well for Orange though, as Gary Park gave them a 1-0 lead.

Weston hit two super strikes to give Nestfield them a deserved three points. Weston's first came directly from a corner, whilst his second was a 35 yard free-kick that he floated over everybody into the far top corner, and was the queue for some joyous celebration in the Nestfield ranks. In the only other Division Three game, Royal British Legion continued their good run of form as goals from David Taylor, Paul Barber and Adrian Gough gave them a 3-0 victory over struggling AXA Insurance.

l The league committee would like to remind all secretaries that the next league meeting will be at 7pm prompt on Wednesday November 28th at the RA ground.

Bowman Anderson Accountants Spennymoor Sunday League

FOR avid Middlesbrough supporters, the name Willie Whigham will be familiar.

Whigham is, of course, an ex-Boro keeper who starred for the Teessiders in the late 60s and early 70s.

Well his son Stuart has been found plying his trade in the Bowman Anderson Acountants Spennymoor Sunday League, turning out for First Division side Eldon Lane.

Stuart Whigham, however, is not a goalkeeper - he's a tall, uncompromising centre back. And he was on the scoresheet last week as his side progressed to the quarter-finals of the B&A Trophy!

Eldon eventually beat Old Shildon 6-5 on penalties after drawing 2-2 in normal and extra-time.

Shildon had taken a two-goal lead thanks to goals by Philip Appleby and Peal Whensley.

But Eldon fought back in the second half when Richard Pallister pulled one back. Whigham then netted the precious equaliser.

Meanwhile, First Division Europa joined Eldon in the quarter-finals with a 4-0 win over Masons United.

Anthony Campbell gave Europa a 1-0 lead, then David Hanson added a second before Dave Maughan pulled one back for United just before half-time. Mark Preston made it 3-1 after the break then Tony Briddick put the game beyond United's reach with Europa's fourth. Neil Quigley grabbed a consolation.

Meanwhile, in-form Huntsman crashed out of the B&A Trophy in the first round when they were beaten 5-4 by Laceys.

Kevin Strange, Jeff Alderson, Gary Sowerby, Adam Henderson and Joe Coles netted Laceys' goals, while Martin Walker (two), Wayne Marram and Morgan Fielding scored for the Huntsman. Andrew Sinclair was man of the-match for Laceys, and Dave Welsh for Huntsman.

In Division One, New Masons maintained their title push with a 3-2 win over Brandon. Neil Bannister, Thomas Louden and Ian Bainbridge scored for Masons, while Mark Hillman and Peter Boucher were on target for Brandon, with Kevin Williams getting the man of the match award.

In Division Two, Spennymoor Thorns completed yet another emphatic victory - this time boosting their goal difference by a further eight goals, with Victoria on the receiving end. Steven Richardson, Michael Oliver and Mark Russell all grabbed a brace a-piece, while Colin Hindmarch and Mark Tatham both scored one.

North Briton conceded another victory when fifth-placed Binchester Social beat them 3-1 thanks to goals from Jeff Morrow (two) and Terry Little (MOM). David Patrick netted for the Brit, while Dennis Tounson was their man-of-the-match.

Shildon Athletic recorded a 3-2 win over bottom-of-the-table Binchester Hotel.

Kevin Kavanagh, Jeff Fieldson and Darren Dodds grabbed Shildon's goals, with David Parker getting both Binchester goals.

Binchester's man of the match was John Toas.

If you'd like to include your games in future reports for the Spennymoor Sunday League, e-mail your match details to: martinwalker50 Brandon 2, New Masons 3.

Division Two: Spennymoor Thorns 8, Victoria 0; Binchester Hotel 2, Shildon Athletic 3; North Briton 1, Binchester Social 3.

B&A Trophy Round one: Laceys 5, Huntsman 4.

B&A Trophy R2: Masons United 2, Europa 4; Salvins 3, Boot & Shoe 1; Pit Laddie 1, Broompark Loves 6; Eldon Lane 2, Old Shildon 2 (Eldon Lane won 6-5 on penalties); Brawns Den 3, The Grand 3 (Brawns Den won 5-4 on penalties); Postchaise 4, Green Tree 3.

Division One

P W D L F A Pts

Newton Aycliffe 10 8 1 1 46 17 25

New Masons 10 8 1 1 35 19 25

Old Shildon 11 7 1 3 47 14 22

Huntsman 10 6 3 1 35 19 21

The Grand 10 6 1 3 26 21 19

Royal George 11 5 1 5 28 32 16

Europa 8 5 0 3 25 22 15

Eldon Lane 10 4 2 4 27 30 14

Salvins 10 4 1 5 36 26 13

Laceys 10 3 2 5 27 40 11

Brandon 12 1 1 10 20 57 4

Croxdale Perstorp 10 1 0 9 12 39 3

Horndale 10 0 2 8 18 42 2

Division Two

P W D L F A Pts

Spennymoor Thorns 13 13 0 0 80 14 39

Broompark Loves 11 9 1 1 60 11 28

*Black Horse 11 9 1 1 52 18 25

Postchaise 13 8 1 4 46 37 25

Binchester Social Club 9 7 1 1 25 14 22

Boot & Shoe 12 5 1 6 35 47 16

Brawns Den 10 5 0 5 31 26 15

North Briton 14 5 0 9 40 43 15

Masons United 12 4 3 5 26 30 15

Locomotion 11 4 1 6 34 35 13

Shildon Athletic 13 4 1 8 31 48 13

Green Tree 11 4 0 7 21 35 12

Victoria 12 3 3 6 20 47 12

Two Blues 11 3 1 7 29 47 10

Pit Laddie 12 2 0 10 19 55 6

Binchester Hotel 13 2 0 11 20 64 6

*Denotes three points deducted