Salford City are the only side still with a 100% record at the top of the table, after they won twice this weekend. They first won 3-1 away to Mossley, Ashley Dunn scored the only goal of the first half for Salford, before Daniel Webber doubled their lead. Mossley were given hope following a Douglas Carroll penalty, but three minutes from time Sam Madeley sealed the points for the visitors. They notched up their fourth win in a row, on Monday, against an impressive Droylsden side that have started well themselves. Jason Jarrett and Webber gave Salford a two goal cushion, before Sean Myler replied with just over quarter of an hour to go. However, Salford held on for a 2-1 win in front of a crowd of 459.

Aside from Darlington and Salford, Northwich Victoria are the only other team that remain undefeated.

Gary Burnett was the hero for Northwich on Saturday, as he scored twice in a 2-1 victory at Ossett Albion. He opened the scoring in the 20th minute, before Henry Owen levelled shortly after the break for Albion. Burnett would, though, be the match winner, as he scored his third of the season in the final minute of normal time to give Northwich the three points. On Monday they hosted Warrington Town and again came away victorious, winning 2-0. Godwin Abadaki opened the scoring in the first half, before Michael Clarke sealed the points midway through the second period.

Local rivals Spennymoor were left frustrated on Saturday as they were held to a draw by ten-man Prescot Cables. The game finished 0-0, with Spenny missing a penalty after the Prescot goalkeeper Ciran Gibson was sent off. They were able to chalk up their second win on Monday, though, as they came from behind at Ossett Town. Ossett had taken the lead through a Chirs Wood goal, but strikes from Joe Tait, John McReady and Stephen Capper gave Spenny the victory, 3-1.

Two sides who were both expected to challenge for at least the playoffs, Farsley and Scarborough, both have started well winning three of their opening four games.

Farsley scored nine in their two games this week as they moved up to third in the league table. On Saturday they put five past Padiham, including an Aiden Savory hat-trick, in a 5-0 victory. They then won away to Harrogate RA, 4-2, Savory again amongst the scorers, as well as former Quaker Jason St Juste.

Scarborough Athletic made hard work of their home game against New Mills, as they came from 2-0 down to snatch a last minute winner. Daniel Shaw and Ryan Hopper scored in the first 25 minutes to give Mills a two goal lead. However, James Beadle scored twice in the last two minutes of the first half to bring the Seagulls level. Gary Bradshaw then completed the comeback in second half stoppage time to give Scarborough a 3-2 victory.

Scarborough made lighter work of their trip to previously unbeaten Brighouse Town, as they came away with a 4-0 victory. Ben Middleton scored twice early on, before further goals from James Bennett and Ryan Blott sealed the points.

Brighouse had earlier in the weekend salvaged a point from their trip to Clitheroe. Clitheroe twice led, as they looked for their first victory of the season, with their goals coming from Daniel Wilkins and Steven Mercer. However, Ryan Hall scored a double to earn a point for Brighouse.

Clitheroe, then on Monday, were able to pick up their first three points of the season with a surprise away win at Lancaster City. Aaron Taylor gave Lancaster an early lead, but two Daniel Wilkins penalites along with a Danny Morton strike were enough to give Clitheroe a 3-1 victory.

Droylsden were able to pick up their second large victory of the season as they thrashed Harrogate RA 6-1, they had already won at Bamber Bridge 7-1. Harrogate took the lead thanks to Ryan Sharrocks, but Kevin Leadbetter and Ben Deegan both scored braces, along with goals from Ciaran Kilheeney and Fernando Moke as Drolsden won at a canter.

Radcliffe Borough are the surprise high flyers so far and sit sixth in the table. On Saturday they were able to beat Lancaster City, 3-2, thanks to goals from Daniel White, Chris Mason and Bevan Burey. Burey then scored again after just three minutes of their trip to Bambrer Bridge on Bank Holiday Monday, however this time Radcliffe were only able to gain a point, as Stuart Vasey earned a point for the hosts in a 1-1 draw.

Earlier in the week Vasey had earned another point for Bamber Bridge away to Kendal Town. Mark Jackson appeared to have won the game for Kendal, only for Vasey to produce the equaliser four minutes from time, as the game finished 1-1.

Before their loss to Salford on Monday, Warrington were able to pick up their first points of the season at home to Ossett Town. Scott Metcalfe scored twice, alongside a Thomas Hardwick goal as The Wire won the game 3-1.

The other games to take place this week saw Ossett Albion win 2-1 at New Mills, Mossley win away to Padiham 2-1 and Prescot Cables draw 0-0 with Burscough.

This week Darlington turn their attention to the FA Cup and their first appearance in the competition in nearly three years. We travel to local neigbours West Auckland, hoping to return with a better result than two years ago when we met in the Northern League