No stopping leaders as Dalians fall
ANOTHER depressing day of weather saw a large number of fixtures again fall victim to waterlogged pitches but there was still plenty of top action in cup and league games.
In the GP Property Management Rhodes Cup Old Ashtonians were on a slippery slope with some poor form in the Premier division dragging them down into a relegation scrap as they travelled to Aldermere, who have been enjoying a fine season in the division A promotion race.
After taking an early lead with a gift goal Aldermere looked set to cause an upset but Ashtonians got their act together and found their shooting boots as they enjoyed a magnificent win by 9-3.
The other Rhodes Cup catch-up game saw division one leaders Old Stretfordians find Premier hotshots Whalley Range too hot to handle with Range going through to the quarter finals with an emphatic 4-1 victory.
There were also three games played in the Wray Cup and in a thriller at Newall Green Mellor seconds had James Loughlin, Johnny Valentine and Fred Keyte netting to draw level with South Manchester seconds with Jordan Harper (two) and Sam Russell on target to make it 3-3 but cup holders Mellor finished strongly to win 6-3.
Moston United were given a good test by Swinton FC but went through 2-0.
Irlam Tigers are on fire and they kept up their hot streak as they marched through winning 8-0.
In the Peak Business Solutions Whitehead Cup Mellor thirds advanced with a comfortable 4-1 win over Dukinfield Athletic seconds.
The other cup game was in the Hellawell Shield with AFC Oldham thirds cruising to a 4-1 win over Old Stretfordians thirds.
Premier division action saw Moorside Rangers extend their lead at the top to nine points with a 4-1 win over Rochdalians as second-placed High Lane were held to a 2-2 deadlock by basement team Signol Athletic.
It was tight for Rangers until their broke the deadlock just before the break as Sixsmith scored an opportunist goal.
After Gill had broken through to a one-onone with the keeper who made a great save only for Sixsmith to tap in the rebound.
He struck again early in the second half but Rochdalians got back into the game when Tyler netted. Rangers were not to be denied as Sixsmith completed his hat-trick backed by goals from McMaster, via a perfect cross from Hancock, and a deflected 20-yard shot from Chris Jones sealed the points as it evaded the outstanding Rochdalians keeper.
There was a wakeup call for Waterloo in Division One as they visited Parrs Wood Celtic and could only close the gap on leaders Old Strets by a point as they were held to a 2-2 draw.
Moston Brook continued their improved form with a convincing 5-1 win at Oldham Vics taking them into the comfort of mid-table.
Trafford United also had their best result of the season as they romped to a big 8-2 win over Chorltonians.
Just one league game in Division Two and Chorltonians seconds extended their lead at the top to a massive 12 points.
Division Three Santos had Reece Holden scoring a sublime goal five minutes from time to see his side home by 1-0 at Hooley Bridge Celtic seconds and Manchester Polonia shared four goals with Newton Heath seconds.
In Division B Hillgate moved up into promotion contention with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Rochdale Galaxy.