One thing is very clear and that is that champions Newton Aycliffe are a shadow of last season's successful side and Archdeacon under the guidance of Mick Duffy are a much improved outfit.

In Saturday's only league game early Deacon pressure resulted - Leon Russell being brought down in the box and Neil Blewitt confidently converted the resulting penalty. James Miller levelled with a superb strike from the edge of the box, but in a 10-minute spell just after half-time Deacon netted four times to effectively finish off the opposition. Russell chipped the first from six yards then Michael Thraves thrashed home a 40-yard volley. Thraves went on to complete his hat-trick and a dispirited Aycliffe conceded a seventh to Paul Scott.

The remaining clubs were on league challenge cup duty. A youthful Grammar School Old Boys had only effort to show against an efficient East End WMC who were never in trouble and ran out 6-1 winners. Peter Gray got Old Boys' consolation while East End's scorers were John Banks (2), Mark Maddison (2), Neil Topping and Roy Winter.

Both Killinghall Arms and Post Boy enjoyed an excellent match played in the very best spirit. Neither side could trouble the scorers in normal time but in the extra time David Watson deservedly put Killie ahead with a low shot from outside the box. It looked like being the winner until a defensive mistake allowed Post Boy to level. Post Boy continued to ride their luck with the crossbar and favourable refereeing decisions aiding their cause. There were no further goals but Post Boy took advantage of their reprieve to take the penalty shoot-out 4-3.

DSRM SC found it tough going in their tie against league leaders RA Social and injuries took their toll as they bowed out of the competition by 8-1. Gavin Rose (3), Mark Armstrong (2), Steven Boyle (2) and Andrew Weatherall were RA's marksmen, David Raine replied.

Rothmans winning streak was ended in no uncertain terms when they lost 8-1 to a rampant Albion. David Cooper was their scorer.

Greyhounds and Shuttle and Loom met for the third time in four weeks and in a close envounter Mark Wsrangham's strike was all that separated the teams at the interval. Darren Johnson and Chris Airey increased the lead to three before veteran Steve Johnson pulled one back and then set up Gary Wilson to head home and reduce the deficit even further. However, Shuttle managed to hold on to the lead during the final 15 minutes to take the tie 3-2.

In a topsy turvy game at Haughton School, Speedy Hire did the expected and led winless Grey Horse 2-0 at the interval with goals from Dale Elgie and sub Alan Gowling. Horse pulled one back but Gowling restored the two-goal advantage. Horse, however, never gave up the ghost and by full time had drawn level. A superb header from David Dresser put Grey Horse ahead for the first time this season and sub Glen Rimmer added a fifth to take the tie 5-3. David Palmer was outstanding for the winners and Horse's other scorers were Paul Gilsenan, Philip Makepeace and David Baldwin