The Sheraton were looking to win their game in hand over the Mandale and go top of the first division but first needed to beat the Sun Inn who are still unbeaten this season so far and who had beaten the Sheraton twice last season. The Sheraton were up for this one with a point to prove and started well giving the Sun Inn no time on the ball making it hard for them to settle into the game, The Sheraton were trying to get the ball over the top but with the pitch being tight there wasn't much room in behind Lee Helliwell and Johnny Cooper were working very hard in the centre of the park dictating the pace of the game, the Sheraton were in control of the game but couldn't get a clear sight of goal. With the size of the Sheraton's team, set plays were going to be very important, so when a long throw into the box by the dangerous Marc Parry caused havoc Liam Connor reacted fast and keeping his head coolly slotted the ball past Steven Gill in the Sun Inn goal. That got the Sheraton started and they started to get more and more chances a long cross field ball from Marc Parry found Ash Hauxwell on the edge of the box who chested it forward and volleyed past Ste Gill giving the Sun Inn keeper no chance again. The Sun Inn had a chance when the ball fell to the right winger Marlon Baleci who's shot was easy for the inform Danny Phillips. The Sheraton were on top all over the pitch left back Phil Purcifer hit a long ball up the line Ash Hauxwell got there, first keeping the ball in before a great ball through to Brian Cole who slid in at the back post to make it 3-0 and give the Sheraton the lead their hard work deserved with half time very close the Sheraton took their foot on the gas a little which let the Sun Inn have a bit more of the ball without hurting the Sheraton. Half time and for only the second time the Sheraton were ahead the manager asked for more of the same and not to let them in to the game at all, the Sun Inn made a change to try and get into the game.

The Sheraton started at a good tempo again and within five minutes could have had two more both from corners the first was a Marc Parry corner which Lee Helliwell headed cleanly but just over and the second from the other side was a Craig Allan corner which Marc Parry won and putting his free header just over. After giving away a needless free kick the Sheraton paid for their missed chances as the ball was chipped into the Sheraton box the ball bounced up off the ground and hit Marc Parry's hand giving the ref no choice but to award the penalty, Dave Edmonds stepped up and sent Danny Phillips the wrong way making it 3-1 and the next goal very important now but there was only going to be one team who got it after five minutes of Sun Inn pressure without making a clear chance Marc Parry worked the right wing well before putting a great cross into the back post were Ash Hauxwell head back across goal leaving Ste Gill rooted to the spot. The Sheraton then added another from a Marc Parry corner Martin Slater’s shot deflected off Liam Connor who was in the right place in front on the keeper to make it 1-5 to the Sheraton and with only 30 minutes ending any real hope of a come back the Sheraton then started to make changes first bringing David Charnock and then bringing Carl Thompson on to the left wing and he set up Martin Slater who found the bottom corner from distance to get his goal before making way for Mark Robinson, Carl then picked out Ash Hauxwell who turned his man and put his shot away in the bottom corner giving the man of the match his first league hat-trick this season. With ten minutes to go Carl Thompson got his name on the score sheet after a one, two with Ash Hauxwell. The Sheraton switched off the last ten minutes and let the Sun Inn play football and they worked it well to get two late goals both scored by Chris Whaley but there was only ever one team in the game and it takes the Sheraton to the top on the league. The Sheraton would like to say well done to referee Darren Walker who had a great game

Last week saw the second round of the Ian Gorman Memorial Trophy and the holder’s first division Mandale travelled to premier division South Bank for what looked a tricky tie but came out on top 4-2 thanks to goals from Mark Todd (2), Paul Roddam and Anthony Simcox with Harrison Davies and Jamie May replying for the Bank. Last season’s runners up Hardwick Social were made to work hard for their victory over second division Malleable who after conceding an early goal then held out for some 70 minutes before finally collapsing as Hardwick added another five but they did manage a consolation from Jeffrey Illingworth.. Hardwick’s scorers were Andy Westwood (2), Roberts, Hannah, Wilson, and Preston). There were two outstanding first round ties these saw home wins for the Dubliners against Perrys by three goals to two and premier league SMCOB The Grenadier defeated Billingham The Kings 4-3 but were taken to extra time by the second division side.
In the Stephen Wells Memorial Trophy first round last season’s beaten finalist’s Stainsby shared eight goals with league rivals Norton Unicorn but eventually went down 4-3 in a penalty shoot out. The goals came from Deangibb 2, Chris Hurrell and Philip Dalby for Norton Unicorn and Anthony Frater, David Banks, Karl Suckling and Shaun Scott were the Stainsby scorers. Also Penny Black defeated Wolviston Wellington by the odd goal in nine, Penny Black goals from Neil Brette with a hat trick and Jon Schofield with a brace, whilst Daniel Tolputt 2, Craig Sparrow and Barry Garner replied for the Wellington. Premier league side Rosegale easily beat third division The Swan 12-0, Bill Gatenby 4, Dean Bell 3, Stewart Bath 2, Danny Earl, David Baker and Steven Purcifer were the goal scorers.
Elsewhere in the league in the Premier Division George & Dragon (Yarm) maintained there unbeaten start to the season with a convincing 4-1 win away to the Dolphin thanks to goals from Michael Gee 2, Dave Barkley and Rob Edemenson whilst Paul Kirby grabbed a late consolation for the Dolphin. The only other fixture saw Thornaby Dubliners go down 3-0 at home to Elm Tree Social Club.
In division one Londonderry Arms defeated the Merlin 3-1 in the only other league fixture their scorers were Stuart Waller, Joe Jenkinson and Michael Harper with Jason Hurst scoring for the Merlin.
Sun Inn Athletic continued their fine start to the season with a 6-1 win away to Stockton Arms thanks to goals from Darren Hakami 2, Billy Thomas, Andrew Brown, Andrew Pitt and Stewart Taylor. Stockton West End maintained their 100% record with a narrow 2-1 win against Lord Nelson thanks to goals from Carl Carson and Matthew Martin with Barry Syed replying for the Nelson, this win lifted them into second place. Port Clarence had a fine 8-0 win against Fairfield Athletic but Athletic suffered with an ill disciplined display which saw two players sent off in the first half. Port Clarence goals coming from Wayne Cummings 4, Chris Fleming 2, Jamie Cook and Jonathan Casson.
Only two league games were played in division three in the Billingham derby Rangers came out on top against Greenholme by the odd goal in five, scorers for Rangers were Andy Jennings, David Maude and Woodall whilst Alan Ferguson and Dan Ward replied for Greenholme. Stockton Traders enjoyed a 5-1 win away to Georgia Browns thanks to goals from Norman Fowler 2, Darren Hawkes 2 and Christian Booth, this latest defeat leaves Georgia Browns at the foot of the table.