Rochdalians eyes on Cup semi finals
THE mid-season break for the league has the league committee and member clubs hoping for a big improvement in the awful weather that has caused great problems and massive postponements of games in the first half of the season.
One of the helpful factors has been the use of 3G pitches for several clubs that have kept their programme on course and on schedule with their fixtures.
The league gives free access to a 3G pitch at Wright Robinson HS each week and this has been fully taken up.
The loss of teams at the start of season and a few more during the action has also caused problems, particularly for the league fixture secretary Mal Kershaw who has done a tremendous job to date and hopefully his problems will be eased with better weather in 2018 but some teams have a great task in catching up with fixtures in the second half of the season.
League chairman Mike Yates said: “We are always looking to improve the football in our league at all levels and are making sure that teams in the Premier division have their facilities up to the standards we expect and we have also introduced some games being covered at that level with assistant referees, that the league pays for, and this has gone down well.
“Our President Graham Ellis has been looking at facilities throughout the league and we will always try and help clubs to introduce necessary improvements.
“In the 2018-19 season we are also changing the league’s constitution to allow lower teams from clubs in higher leagues to play in the L and C and this should be approved at the EGM in February and any clubs interested in what we can offer should contact the secretary Brian Davies on email secretary@landc.org.uk.
“On the field Moorside Rangers have dominated the Premier division following their promotion and their young team are playing some great football as they have established a big lead over High Lane and reigning champions Mellor.
“Rochdalians are flying the flag for the league in the Lancashire Amateur Cup where they will be looking to make the last four as they take on Caton United.
“In division one Old Stretfordians are the current leaders with some consistent football as they are seven points clear over Waterloo who have four games in hand while Milton are in third spot and with their second team flying high in division B are in the running for the SE Woolam Aggregate Trophy.
“There is also plenty to play for in division two with Chorltonians seconds and Mellor seconds in the top two spots but hovering in third place with games in hand are new boys Moston United.
“Another new team Dom Doyle have made a great start in the league and top division three by five points from Manchester Polonia who have settled in well in their second season in the league.
“It’s neck and neck in division A with Aldermere and Signol Athletic second level on points with Stoconians seconds nine points behind in mid-table but with plenty of games in hand and an unbeaten record.
“The main threat to Milton seconds in division B comes from Salford Vics seconds who are three points behind with a game in hand and a much bigger goal difference in their favour.
“Radclyffe lead the way in divison C with a fine unbeaten record taking them four points clear of local rivals AFC Oldham thirds.
“It’s very tight at the top of division three with the leaders Staly Lions on top by three points from Stoconians fourths and Bury Ams thirds who both have a game in hand.
“There are plenty of domestic cup competitions to catch up with in the coming weeks and we will also be looking to host our annual Inter League match with our old friends from the Lancashire Amateur FL in February.
“So plenty of action to come and everything crossed for a big improvement in climate conditions.
”It was also very pleasing to see special and well deserved awards handed out at the MCFA dinner to Dom Doyle FC, Village FC, John Melia and Mal Kershaw.”