Milton held on return to the league

IT was again a pretty full programme of games with a variety of outside and domestic cup and league competitions with the Stockport Senior Cup taking the top highlight.

It was provided by High Lane who accounted for Manchester FL Premier League’s Old Alts 4-2 to march into the later stages.

But there was no joy for Stockport Sats who put on a good display in losing 4-2 to another top Manchester League side Stockport Georgians.

It was catch-up time in the Rhodes Cup with Manchester Polonia putting on a great display as they cruised to a 5-1 win hosting division one high-fliers AFC Oldham.

Norbert Niegowksi pounced on to an Oldham defensive error to open their account in two minutes but Oldham responded quickly to level through Dan Jackson.

Niegowski made his a double on 22 minutes and Polonia kept up their momentum to add three more without reply and they now await the winners of the Parrs Wood Celtic v Signol Athletic tie in round two.

There was a much closer contest at Stoconians they shared six goals with Urmston Town and in the penalty shoot out Town ran out easy winners by 4-1.

It also went to a penalty shoot-out in the Whitehead Cup match at Flixton JFC after a goalless deadlock with Parrs Wood Celtic and Celtic kept their nerve to prevail by 5-4 in a gripping finale.

Joining them in the next round are Salford Storm who edged a close game at Rochdale Galaxy by the odd goal in five

Salford Storm reserves made it a double for their club as they won their Hellawell Shield match by 3-1 over Whalley Range and joining them in the next round are Old Stretfordians thirds who won a thriller with Oldham Vics reserves by 5-3.

Whalley Range extended their lead at the top of the Premier division to a massive 14 points but they were taken to the wire by a spirited Dom Doyle before winning 4-3.

It was also close in the other games as Waterloo won 2-1 at Abacus Media to leapfrog them on goal difference into third place.

South Manchester moved out of the bottom two, also on goal difference with a 2-0 win at Trafford United.

Salford Vics and Lancashire Amateur Cup semi-finalists Milton both found goals had to come by as they drew 1-1 with Josh Lawman netting the point-saver for Vics.

In the Lancashire Amateur Cup final Milton will play Darwen reserves at Padiham FC on Wednesday Feb 19, 7.30ko

With division title rivals AFC Oldham in cup action leaders Radclyffe extended their lead to six points with a clinical 3-0 win at Signol Old Boys to move into third place behind the pacesetters.

Chorltonians had Luke Grey (two) and Aaron Rodger netting in a 3-1 win at Bury Ams.

Newton were good value for a 5-2 win at Moston Brook to keep in mid-table security.

Division two leaders Dukinfield Athletic were held to a 1-1 draw against Santos and North Walkden moved to within seven points of Athletic with five games in hand as they were emphatic 5-0 winners at Rochdalians reserves.

There was a real cliff-hanger at Chorltonians reserves were beaten 4-3 by visiting Mellor reserves.

Just one game in division three with Chadderton Park beating Milton reserves 4-2 to close the gap on leaders Chadderton Cott to four points.