East Rainton missed several key players but still ran out 6-2 winners at High Handenhold Bird Inn in the JD Taxis Guards Cup.

East Rainton missed several key players but still ran out 6-2 winners at High Handenhold Bird Inn in the JD Taxis Guards Cup.

The match was closer than the scoreline suggests, though as Rainton keeper Dean Caris made a string of great stops including a double penalty save.

Lee Gaunt enjoyed a day to remember, bagging five of the visitors’ six goals.

Shane Swift and Thomas Illingworth grabbed Bird’s consolations.

Ferryhill Celtic cruised to a 13-0 win at Bishop Middleham, never letting up as hat-tricks from Kyle Wren, Mark Burnett and Dane Eltringham stole the show,

Liam Taylor, star man Kevin Hodgson, Jay Smith and Luke Thompson also got in on the act.

Houghton Town had to fight hard against a well-organised Dubmire WMC to finish 5-1 winners in a very entertaining Castle Insurance Alan Smith Memorial Trophy tie.

Lee McBeth fired a well-taken treble to inspire Town, with Matty Weirs and Joe Calvert also on target. Brandon Alderson was star man.

Brandon Sports Club were made to scrap for their 3-1 home victory over Lumley, who belied their league status (two divisions below) to almost spring a surprise.

Brandon led early through Adam Burnham’s goal, but battling Lumley were thoroughly deserving of their second-half leveller, converted by David Lucas.

Brandon had the lion’s share of possession and chances but could not find a way through until star man David Fort danced through the defence and rifled high beyond keeper Michael Gowland. Michael Fort sealed the tie in stoppage time. Jack Pattinson shone for Lumley.

Framwellgate Moor WMC edged through 4-3 in a tight derby at Bede Lodge SC.

Keeper Jordan Craggs was magnificent for Bede, whose marksmen were James Smith (2) and Jonathan Hodgson. Chris Pattinson (2), Adam Kitching and Adam Roxby struck for Moor.

Whitehills were beaten 3-1 at Houghton Wild Boar All-Stars in a well-matched clash. Boar made the breakthrough, but Travis Turner equalised before half-time.

Both teams tired in the second half and it was a case of whoever scored the next goal would probably go on and win the game.

Boar got ahead via a deflection then secured the win with a late goal as Whitehills chased the equaliser.

Star man Karl Anderson, Liam Lusk and Steven Tunstall hit Boar’s goals. Stephen Fisher starred for Whitehills.

Luke Wilkinson’s brace guided Langley Park home 3-1 away to Bowburn, with Stephen Mickle also scoring. Matthew Wilkie shone for Langley.

Man of the match Paul Botcherby and David Tyson grabbed the crucial goals as Chester 18Seven Bar pipped Sacriston Cricket Club 2-1 in a close encounter. Sacriston made changes at half-time and dominated the second half but just couldn’t score

Durham County edged past Hilda Park 3-2 in a thrilling League Cup tie.

County had a two-goal lead pegged back, but Alex Hird got his second to seal the win after brother Brad had scored the opener.

Sub Jamie Gordon notched twice for Hilda, heading the first and knocking home the second, both after good wing work from Chris Trevena.

Hilda’s star man was Kerry Moralee. Jack Hodgkiss stood out for County.

Burnside WMC outgunned Pittington 6-1. Doubles from Shaun Dixon and Craig Ellison led the way, with Callum Munro and sub Jon Jordison also on the scoresheet. Max Stoker was man of the match.

Ouston Cherry Tree hit back from two down to beat Sacriston WMC with three goals in the final 15 minutes.

Star man Luke Wilson hit both for Sacriston, a free-kick and a penalty.

Jak Gordon finished off Owen Lancaster’s long throw at the back post on 76 minutes to spark the revival, then tapped in Josh Fryer’s scuffed shot after good work from Micky Ross down the right.

Two minutes from time, he completed his hat-trick, heading home Ross’s corner.

Robert Loraine and Andrew Jackson notched for Lambton Lions, but they could not prevent a 3-2 loss at home to Washington Cross Keys. Craig Smith (2) and Darren Green bagged Keys’ goals.

Ben Goodwin starred for Lions.

West Rainton are up to third place in Division One after beating Houghton Chilton Lodge 2-0, leaving their visitors rooted to the foot of the table and still seeking a first point after four matches.

Coxhoe Red Lion secured a hard-fought 2-1 win at Pelaw Grange Dogs to climb above their opponents into sixth.

Andrew Simpson and Nathan Ward had Lion two up and they soaked up the pressure, with keeper Tom Orton outstanding, with Chris Gosnell’s smart volley bagging the only reply, though Darryl Bell missed a penalty.

Ouston Juniors rose to fourth place in Division Three after winning the only scheduled game.

It was a day to savour for Lee Jennings, newly signed from Bowburn, who sensationally bagged all five goals in a 5-2 defeat of hosts Newton Hall Jovial Monk, extending Ouston’s unbeaten start to the season.

Sedgefield St Edmund’s earned a dramatic 3-2 Premier Division victory at Waldridge Park.

Dan Newby missed a penalty for Saints, but John Maddison, Steve Flocked and Graham Kime, with a screamer into the top corner, sank Park, who led twice.

Chilton WMC are still awaiting a first point after crashing 5-1 at unbeaten champions Pelton RAOB, whose bright start was rewarded with two goals.

David Harrison notched for Chilton, but the dismissal of Connor Whitelock did not help their cause.

Man of the match Cameron Nichol took advantage to hit four goals as Buffs romped home, with Scott McArdle also on target. David Gibson stood out for bottom club Chilton.

Sherburn Village fought well and held leaders Newton Aycliffe Locomotive to a 2-2 draw. Corey Nicholson and sub Connor Hughes, with the last kick of the match, struck for Loco, who had striker Sonny Andrews sent off.

Sacriston The Shoes and Durham Buffaloes Head both picked up their first point in Division Four following a memorable 4-4 draw.

Sacriston opening the scoring with a highly contentious penalty, but Buffaloes battled back to level, thanks to Aiden Herron’s neat finish.

Sacriston stormed 3-1 up in the second half, but Buffaloes kept fighting and drew level, with goals by Michael Shaw and Herron.

Late on, Sacriston took the lead with an unfortunate own goal by Ben Mummery, who deflected a wayward shot into his own net. But, right at the death, Neil Ashcroft deservedly levelled at 4-4.

Stephen McRobbie (2), Jack McRobbie and star man Liam McEldon netted for Shoes. Steve Clarkson shone for Buffaloes.

Connor Smith and Karl McDonough netted for Eppleton Cricket Club in their narrow 3-2 defeat at Quarrington Hill WMC. Gavin Arrowsmith was the visitors’ top man.

Bearpark WMC came through 6-4 at Gateshead Last Orders to move top.

Dylan Crooks (2), Callum Wooler, Cameron Messer, Liam Jones and Ray Wilson netted, with Stephen Robertson man of the match.

Ferryhill Community Hub got off the mark in Division Two, thanks to a 2-2 draw at Pelton Crown. Liam Mitchell and Scott Simpson struck for Crown, with Connor Shaw starring, but Nathan Wall’s brace earned Hub their draw.

Connor Slater was the visitors’ star man.