Bishop Auckland now have three wins from three league games after a second half blitz helped them to beat Ryhope CW 5-2 on Saturday.

Bishops are one of three clubs who still have a 100 per cent record – Blyth AFC and Consett are the others – and hopes are growing that they will be able to mount a promotion challenge under manager Ian Chandler.

They were well on top in the opening stages and took the lead on 29 minutes when the Ryhope keeper Jonny Ball blocked a Chris Winn effort, but Darren Richardson was on hand to score his fourth goal of the season.

Ryhope levelled four minutes after the restart through James Ellis, but Bishops quickly went back in front with a Callum Patton penalty after his brother Kyle was brought down.

It was 3-1 when Andy Johnson scored from close range, and after Micky Rae hit the bar for Ryhope, Callum Patton scored from a Chris Salmon cross. Salmon then scored the goal of the game, a great dribble through the defence and a clinical finish, before Ellis pulled a late goal back.

Chandler said; “We’re very happy after the victory over a strong Ryhope CW team. The early part of the game was end to end but once we took the lead we settled in to the first half and really should have had a couple more goals. Second half Ryhope equalised with a great strike but after that we kicked on and got a further four. I thought the pick of the goals was Chris Salmon's neat finish from a lovely pass from Connor Short. “ Shildon have ten points from four games after beating Newcastle Benfield 3-2 at Dean Street.

Dale Pearson hit the bar early in the game before he put Benfield into the lead at the end of a good move, but Mattie Robson quickly levelled with a low shot. Ben Trotter put Shildon into the lead from close range before half time, then Jack Blackford made it 3-1 in the second half from a long clearance. Pearson pulled a goal back, but Shildon held on.

Shildon manager Danny Moore said; “After going one down against a very good Benfield side, to come back and win I’m very happy. We defended well in the last ten minutes when they put the pressure on. Benfield will be there or thereabouts and if we are as consistent as I’ve asked I’m hoping we will be to.”

West Auckland bounced back from their midweek defeat at Blyth AFC to win 2-0 at Whitley Bay.

Nathan Fisher scored both goals to give him seven for the season, the first when he rounded the keeper just before half time, and the second from an Arran Wearmouth set up.

West Auckland manager Gary Forrest said; “It was a good win, we worked really hard for each other.”

Newton Aycliffe finished off a miserable week when they were beaten 2-1 at home by Seaham Red Star.

Aycliffe hit the bar in the first half, but in the second half their former player Warren Byrne and Paul Gardiner scored to give Seaham the points.

Newton Aycliffe manager Deano Browne said; “We were poor all over the pitch. Another daft mistake led to their first goal, It was a bad day at the office.”

In the other games, a late goal by Danny Craggs gave Consett a 1-0 home win over Whickham and maintained their 100 per cent record, while Blyth AFC remain top after winning 2-0 at North Shields.

Stockton Town came from behind to draw 2-2 at previous leaders Hebburn Town, while Dunston UTS are unbeaten in four games after winning 3-2 at Sunderland RCA.

Guisborough won their first league game of the season by 2-1 at Ashington, a game in which three players were sent off in the last ten minutes.

In the second division, Chester-le-Street maintained their unbeaten record with an emphatic 7-2 home win over Northallerton, all started by Cameron Nichol who scored in the opening minutes.

Northallerton came back to lead 2-1 with goals by Nicky Martin and an own goal by Alex Walker, but Chester surged to victory with Nichol completing a hat trick, and Harry Whisker (2) Kieran Megran and Chris Stephenson scoring the others.

Chester-le-Street manager Colin Wake said; “It was an excellent result and both sides were excellent on the front foot. Fortunately we took our chances and Northallerton didn't. It could have ended up more like 10-9. It was good entertainment and keeps our little run going.”

Northallerton manager Darren Trotter said; “It was an unacceptable performance that was hard to watch. A much-improved reaction is needed on Wednesday.”

Crook Town had a good 3-0 home win over Washington to put them fifth in the table. Nathan Stephenson and Phil Caley scored within a minute in the first half, then Stephenson added a third on 75 minutes.

Crook Town manager Jamie Tunstall said; “Washington came and played their normal possession-based football, but we had a game plan to stifle them which worked. The lads were first class and deserve all the credit. Defensively we're strong and we took our chances when they arrived. You can't be happier scoring three and keeping a clean sheet.”

Durham City manager Mike Weston blasted his players after they were thumped 4-0 at league newcomers Redcar Athletic; “We just simply didn't turn up,” he said. “The first 45 minutes were embarrassing and simply weren't good enough. Some players need to have a good long hard look at themselves. We hope to get a couple of new signings in before our next game.”

It was Redcar’s first win of the season, given to them with goals by Adam Preston (2), Stuart Browne and Lance Skelton.

Willington were held to a 1-1 home draw by Birtley. Jack Honour gave Birtley the lead on 57 minutes, with Michael Brown equalising.

Willington manager Rob Lee said; “We should have taken all three points. There was some good goalkeeping from the Birtley keeper which kept them in the game. We need to take our chances.”

Esh Winning picked up a good point from a 2-2 draw at West Allotment, Max Stoker and Connor Halpin earning them a point after they were 2-0 down at one stage.

Esh Winning manager Tony Boakes said; “It was poor from us for 45 minutes, but we were much better in the second half, we could have won comfortably but happy with getting back to 2-2.”

In the other games, Billingham Town have a 100 per cent record in four games after they thumped Bedlington 7-0. Jamie Davis put them on the road to victory in the first minute, and Bedlington didn’t help themselves when keeper David Stewart was sent off for a foul at 2-0.

Easington also have a 100 per cent record thanks to a 2-1 home win over Jarrow, but Thornaby lost theirs after losing at home to Ryton and Crawcrook.

Billingham Synthonia are next to bottom after losing to two penalties at Heaton Stannington.

Team Northumbria have been fined £2,000 for resigning from the league in June after the League AGM.

Northern League chairman Glenn Youngman said; “The lateness of the decision has meant that other clubs in the league have been adversely affected by relegation - a situation that would easily have been avoided by a timely resignation which would have allowed the FA to potentially make different decisions about relegation.

“In response to a Freedom of Information request which has been shared with the league, the university says that information about the decision is not held, that discussions about it were not minuted and there were no records of any notes being taken.

“I think the league, its clubs and spectators deserved a more professional and courteous approach by the university.”