Rivals miss chance to narrow gap

IN the Premier division Whalley Range missed their chance to cut down on the lead of Rochdalians as they failed to find their shooting boots against High Lane.

Lane made them pay for their profligacy with clinical finishing from Tom Porter (two), James Williamson and Dean Jarad taking them to a 4-0 victory.

It was tight at Mellor as they scored the only goal of their game with Trafford United.

There were two games in division two with Whalley Range seconds showing their title intent with a thrilling 4-3 win at Mellor seconds and in another close encounter Rochdalians seconds beat Bedians 2-1.

Just one game in division three and a mid-table local derby saw Milton seconds beat Abacus Media seconds 3-2.

On a day dominated by domestic cup action there were few surprises as the Premier division teams in action in the Rhodes Cup were led by Salford Vics who followed up their impressive win at Waterloo with a comfortable 9-1 at division three side Aldermere.

The game of the day was at South Manchester where division one Moston Brook put on a terrific display to have the scores level at 4-4 before South kept their nerve to win the penalty shoot out 5-4.

Milton kept up their solid league form with a 3-1 win over Waterloo.

Old Stretfordians had Ryan Lonsdale on target to open their account against Abacus Media who drew level through Jordan Charnock.

Joe Mullarkey restored the Strets lead and they went on to win 4-2.

There were two upsets for division one sides as Elton Lib Hargreaves from division A account for Didsbury by 4-1and Village Manchester pulled off a great 3-2 win at Oldham Vics

Chorltonians were in hot form with a 7-1 demolition of Spurley Hey and Parrs Wood Cetic kept up their hot streak with a 9-2 win over division D leaders Deans.

Heaton Mersey also found tough opponents in Swinton who cruised to a big 11-2 win.

It was closer for Hooley Bridge Celtic who won by the odd goal in five in a local derby with Rochdale Galaxy and AFC Oldham in a 2-1 win over division two high-fliers Manchester Polonia, a score matched by Irlam Tigers against Bury Ams while Stoconians won by the odd goal in five at Staly Lions..

Division two pace setters Newton were too hot for Govan Athletic who were despatched 10-0.

Chadderton Cott were also hot in a 7-2 win at Santos and AFC Stockport were 3-2 giant-killers of Chadderton Park.

Dukinfield Athetic cruised to a 6-3 win at Hillgate,

In the Wray Cup South Manchester seconds moved into the next round with a tight 2-1 win at Salford Vics seconds.

The other game went to a penalty shoot out after Stoconians seconds and Mellor thirds were deadlocked at 1-1 with Stoconians winning the shoot out 3-0

In the Whitehead Cup there were wins for Trafford United seconds by 3-2 at Bury Ams seconds, Dukinfield Athletic seconds by 4-2 at Chorltonians Athletic, AFC Oldham seconds by 3-2 at Moston Brook seconds, Old Stretfordians seconds by 4-1 at Signol Athleticseconds and Parrs Wood Celtic seconds 6-2 hosting Moston Brook thirds.

The only game in the Hellawell Shield produced an emphatic 7-2 win for in-form Old Stretfordians thirds against Stoconians fourths.