Dalians dig in for Trophy win
IT was the first full programme for all seven divisions of the league and also in the mix were some county cup matches.
Leading the way for the league in the Manchester Challenge Trophy were Premier division new boys Dom Doyle who accounted for Manchester Leaguers Irlam Steel with an emphatic 6-2 victory.
Joining them in the hat for the round two draw are Waterloo who had to work hard for a 1-0 win over Salford Vics.
But it was the end of the road for Abacus Media who lost out 4-2 at Avro Reserves.
In the Cheshire County Cup there was a great win for Mellor by 4-1 over Poulton Vics and Stoconians went to the wire of a penalty shoot-out against Witton Albion Development after drawing 1-1 but emerged with a breathless 5-4 shoot-out win.
There was limited action in the Premier division but the top two took advantage of the cup games as they both won to extend their joint lead at the top to four points.
Reigning champions Rochdalians, short of some key players, had to graft for a 2-0 win at a gritty South Manchester.
Rochdalians led at the break via a Davey Luker spot kick after Adam Sweeney had been fouled and in a close second half they secured their victory with a strike from Lewis Mahoney on 75 minutes.
Whallley Range stay level on points after a relatively comfortable 5-0 win over Trafford United.
Range led 2-0 at the break with goals from the predatory Reece James and Zaza Lufako and James added his second early in the second half to see Range into the comfort zone.
It’s revving up to be a great title battle in division one with AFC Oldham in pole position with a 3-1 win at Bury Ams keeping their 100 per cent record after four games.
But Radclyffe are also flying high as they posted another emphatic 4-0 victory over Signol Old Boys to keep their 100 per cent record and they still have to concede a goal this sea
son in their three games to date.
Irlam Tigers are beginning to show their bite and ambition as they walloped Old Stretfordians 8-0 and remain well in touch with the top two.
Chorltonians dropped back in the title race as they lost for the second successive week by 5-3 at Urmston Town.
Aaron Rodger bagged a brace for Chorlts with Dan Slack also on target but they missed the inspiration of injured keeper Dan Green.
The other game in the division saw Moston Brook win 3-1 over newly promoted Manchester Polonia.
It’s also hot at the top of division two with four teams level on points.
New boys North Walkden showed their quality with a big win at Didsbury and new-look Bedians accounted for Rochdalians reserves by 5-1.
Santos stay in the mix as they scored the only goal of their game at Barr Hill and South Manchester reserves won a close derby encounter by 2-1 at Chorltonians reserves.
Netting for South were Josh Harper and James Woodward with Chorlts replying with a penalty from Aaron Minshull.
The local derby at Dukinfield Athletic saw the home team beat Hadfield 2-0 and it was honours even at Oldham Vics as they shared six goals with Mellor reserves.
Three teams are locked on six points at the top of division three led by Village Manchester after a resounding 8-2 win over Aldermere.
Abacus Media were also comfortable winners by 4-1 at Signol Athletic and Chadderton Cott join the top two with a 3-1 win at Milton reserves.
Elton Lib Hargeaves posted their first win since promotion with a neat 3-0 win over Stoconians reserves as did new boys Denton Town reserves by 4-2 at Hooley Bridge Celtic.
The other game in the division was a 2-2 deadlock between Spurley Hey and Chadderton Park reserves .
Division A pacesetters AFC Stockport are looking well placed for a second successive promotion with an impressive and entertaining 7-4 win over Deans.
New boys Wythenshawe Wanderers are level on points as they won 3-1 hosting fellow new boys Salford Storm.
Another new team in the mix are Waterloo reserves who had an impressive 6-3 win at Mellor thirds and Old Stretfordians reserves opened their new season with a 4-2 win at Moston Brook reserves
Closer contests saw Trafford United reserves win 2-1 at AFC Oldham reserves and Rochdale Galaxy drew 1-1 with Dukinfield Athletic reserves.
It was the first day of the season in division B and the top result came from Parrs Wood Celtic who beat Chorltonians Athletic 6-1 with the Chorlts consolation coming from Tony Hardy.
Also off the mark with wins were AFC Oldham thirds by 3-2 over Spurley Hey reserves, Chadderton Cott reserves by the same score over Stoconians thirds, Flixton Juniors with a thrilling 6-4 win at Hillgate and Old Stretfordians thirds by 3-1 over Heaton Mersey.
Sharing the spoils at 1-1 were Bury Ams reserves and Moston Brook thirds.
In division C there were big opening day wins for Irlam Tiger Rangers by 10-0 over Moston Brook fourths and Oldham Vics reserves by 10-2 over Whalley Range reserves.
Goals galore at Chorltonians Albion who had Ryan Worrall (three including a stunning volley from 25 yards) Paul Mears (two), Ben Mills and Austin Brady on target in a 7-5 win over AFC Stockport Warriors.
Not far behind were Chadderton Park reserves with a 7-1 win over Govan Athletic A.
Bury Ams thirds won 3-1 at Salford Storm reserves and a tight game had Staly Lions winning by the odd goals in seven hosting Stoconians fourths.