The league kicked-off last weekend, with the usual opening-day recipe of new teams, new names and exciting games full of goals.

However, last season's champions Coundon Forrester's - or the Miners Arms as they were known - were thwarted in their attempts to pick up where they left off last season, as their game against newly-promoted Green Dragon was abandoned due to glass being found on the Dragon's pitch.

The two other promoted teams both got their season underway and both gave a good account of themselves.

Last year's Second Division champions, Nestfield Club took on Springfield, and earned a hard-fought point after coming from behind twice for the game to finish 2-2. Mark Jenkinson and Gary Donald had both given Springfield the lead on separate occasions, but Brown and Humble earned a share of the spoils for Nestfield, who had to thank their keeper for some terrific saves that kept them in the game.

Hoppers Transport made an impressive start to their campaign in the top flight to earn a share of the spoils against Newton Aycliffe Sports Club.

After being thwarted for most of the game by man of the match Paul Trendhome, Paul Hind opened the scoring for Aycliffe midway through the second half. Ian Thompson equalised with a smart finish after good work from Chris Jordan to ensure new manager Dave Scott's first game in charge of Hoppers to end at 1-1.

Last season's runners-up, Spraire RA gained an impressive 5-1 victory over Speedwell, who finished third last season under the guise of Busters, while Team Scania defeated Brinkburn 3-2.

In Division Two, the big winners of the day were Bishop Auckland Derby, who hammered Smith & Allan 15-3 - that after Smith & Allan had taken the lead!

Newly promoted Shuttle & Loom also picked up a good victory as they beat Copper Beech DCS 5-0. Four goals for Kevin Baines, and a cross-come-shot from Warren Moncur showed that the Shuttle are looking to be promoted again this season, while Copper Beech must be worrying that they may have another relegation fight on their hands after they dropped from the top-flight last season. Another of last year's relegated teams, Jack Horners, met the Greyhound. In a totally one-sided affair, the Jack's were unlucky to only lead 1-0 at the break, but their dominance led to further goals in the second half, as they ran out 3-0 victors. Man of the match William Tutty notched one of the goals, with Michael Thraves and new-signing James Colgrave netting the others.

Newly promoted Hurworth Albion defeated Sadberge 2-1 thanks to goals from Jonathan Bell and Kelvin Russell. Matthew Hildon replied for Sadberge, while Bishop Auckland Cricket Club (King's Head) defeated Northern Spirit. The Cricket Club were 3-0 up by half-time, due to some nicely played one touch football that was played at pace. Spirit came back into it soon after the break, and new-signing Phil Moore notched twice to bring the score back to 3-2, but the Cricket Club were too strong and grabbed two goals at the death to make the final score 5-2.

Canney Hill produced the most impressive scoreline in Division Three when they hammered last season's bottom club, The Falchion, 8-0. Pizza Perfekt got off to a good start with a victory over Biglins News. Perfekt led 2-1 at half time after a Mark Hughff brace, with Paul Carroll hitting Biglins goal, and the second half was all Perfekt, with Hope and Davison converting to give Pizza Perfekt a good 4-1 victory.

Nestfield Seconds succumbed 2-0 to Royal British Legion.

Meanwhile, Yates' Wine Lodge (formerly Northern Spirit Colts) lost 4-0 to AFC Orange in a well-contested game. The opening 20 minutes saw both teams fairly evenly matched, but that was before Danny Ofosu turned on the magic. Ofosu gave Orange the lead with a fine strike into the top corner to get Orange rolling, and Steven Charlton made it 2-0 with a bullet shot that gave Lodge keeper Caley no chance.

Yates' rallied and finished the first half the stronger side, and continued their dominance into the second half before Orange killed the game off when Ofosu scored against the run of play. He completed his hat-trick as a quick free kick caught Yates' napping, and Ofosu was left to slot the ball past the exposed keeper.

A Faverdale side under new management slumped to a 7-1 defeat against AXA Insurance, while Newton Cap beat fellow relegated side Hogans 4-1, with Carrick, Redden, Reeve and Atkinson notching for the Cap, with substitute Craig Neil grabbing Hogans' goal.

Bowman Anderson Accounts Spennymoor League

Shildon Royal George began in positive style with a victory at Horndale.

Carl Dawson put the George ahead early doors and Jeff Dixon doubled their lead after 20 minutes.

James Alderson pulled one goal back for Horndale with a 30-yard screamer - an early contender for goal-of-the-season - just before the break.

But Jeff Dixon grabbed his second after the re-start to make it 3-1. Dave Leighton scored the fourth and Anthony Cook the fifth as Horndale's heads went down. Lee Foster grabbed a consolation.

Horndale manager Keith Corbett said: "We made two mistakes in the first half to gift them their goals, but otherwise I think we competed well."

Newly-promoted Huntsman went the opposite way to the George, suffering a 3-1 defeat at Salvins.

Salvins will be looking to challenge for the championship this season.

And a depleted Huntsman side, with just the bare 11, pushed Salvins all the way with a gritty performance.

Salvins took a two-goal lead in the first half. Mark Nicholson converted a dubiously awarded penalty, and Kevin Gillham added the second.

Morgan Fielding reduced the arrears just before the break with a sublime lob, but Gillham bagged his brace after the break.

Gaffer Stuart Hodgson, who was forced to dust down his old boots himself and play up-front was pleased with his side's attitude. "I can take a lot of positives from that game despite the defeat," he said.

In Division Two, Binchester Hotel (formerly the North Eastern), who were relegated last season, beat Pit Laddie 4-0.

David Potts bagged a hat-trick and the man-of-the-match award, while Dave Parker also scored.

Results, Sunday, August 19 - Division One: Eldon Lane 1, N.Aycliffe 4; Old Shildon 8, Brandon 1; The Grand 2, Laceys 2; Horndale 2, Royal George 5; Salvins 3, Huntsman 1; New Masons 3, Europa 2.

Division Two: North Briton 1, Two Blues 5; Brawns Den 4, Green Tree 1; Boot & Shoe 3, Shildon Athletic 4; Locomotion 6, Victoria 1; Masons Utd 2, Broompark Loves 2; Pit Laddie 0, Binchester Hotel 4; Post Chase 2, Spennymoor Thorns 4; Black Horse 3, Binchester Social 3.

l Club secretaries have been asked to note that the next League meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 12 - and NOT September 5, as originally planned.