Champs close gap at the top

WITH their main title rivals Tintwistle Atletic and Old Trafford and Gorse Hill out of league action Mellor took full advantage to hit the top of the table.

The reigning champions beat Old Ashtonians 3-1 to preserve their 100 per cent record to lead on goal difference from Athletic and they have a vital game in hand.

Whalley Range missed a chance to join the top two as they were held to a 1-1 draw by reigning champions Rochdalians.

Rochdalians were short of key players but showed why they are champions as they took the lead through John Luker, via a deflection.

They defended stubbornly against some incessant Range attacks restricting them to a late headed equaliser from the outstanding Luke Bennion.

High Lane posted their first win of the season with a 5-0 cruise against Bedians and South Manchester keep Moston Brook at the foot of the table with a comfortable 6-2 win. Netting for South were Cassius Murray (three), Kane Berkeley (two) and Clay Murray.

There were some fine results for L and C teams in the Manchester Challenge Cup led by Parrs Wood Celtic with a 9-3 thrashing of Heywood St James.

Old Trafford and Gorse Hill accounted for Beechfield United 4-1 and Newton were superb in a 6-3 win at Hollinwood but Abacus Media went out losing 5-3 to Curzon Ashton seconds.

The L and C Inter League team warmed up for their forthcoming game with the Liverpool League beating Rochdale Scared Heart 3-1 with several new players impressing manager Rob O’Connor.

Moorside Rangers continue to rule the roost in division one with an unblemished record but theyrwere given a good contest by a spirited Oldham Victoria.

Rangers won 2-1 with goals from Goodman and an Own goal and Vics got a well deserved late consolation strike.

The big game in the division ended with honours even as Newton Heath and Signol Athletic shared six goals which leaves them both five points adrift from Moorside.

Milton and Didsbury stay in the hunt as Didsbury kept up their recent good run with a 3-1 win over Swinton and Milton won by the odd goal in nine in a thriller with Trafford United.

Stoconians kept an immaculate clean sheet as they enjoyed their first win of the season by 3-0 over Salford Vics.

A close game between Old Stretfordians and Bury Ams saw Bury home by 2-1 to climb into midtable.

Waterloo continue to set a hot pace in their first season in the league and they lead division two by three points with a big win at second-placed AFC Oldham.

AFC lead three other teams by three points who are led by Hooley Bridge Celtic after they edged a 4-3 win at Spurley Hey.

Whalley Range seconds are in great form and they posted an impressive 6-3 win at Newton seconds with the goals flowing from Paul Smethurst (two), Owen Trainer (two), Paul Taker and Nick Doyle.

Also on nine points are Mellor seconds who cruised to an 8-2 win against Moston Brook seconds.

Chorltonians were always in control in a 4-0 win over Parrs Wood Celtic seconds but South Manchester seconds had to work hard for a 2-1 win at Staly Lions.

It’s tight at the top of division three with four teams locked on nine points led by Salford Vics seconds who won 6-4 at Hooley Bridge Celtic seconds with Liam Craven (three), Mike Gandy (two) and Tom Lawman netting for Vics.

High Lane seconds were knocked off top spot as they lost another close encounter by 4-3 to Santos and Didsbury seconds defended impeccably in a 2-0 win at Chadderton Park.

Also in the frame are Chorltonians seconds who were 3-1 winners at Rochdalians seconds.

Manchester Polonia were celebrating after recording their first win since joining the league as they won 4-2 hosting Cheadle Hulme Athletic and Heaton Mersey were good value for a 3-0 home win against Newton Heath seconds.

There are new leaders in Division A after Tintwistle Athletic seconds lost for the first time going down 5-2 hosting Aldermere.

But it was much closer in the other games as Hollingworth won 2-1 at Bury Ams seconds, Moston Brook thirds by 4-3 over Stoconians seconds and AFC Oldham seconds and Mellor thirds shared six goals.

In division B Hillgate got back to winning ways with an 8-2 trouncing of Staly Lions seconds.

In division C Parrs Wood Celtic thirds were also on fire with a 9-3 win at AFC Stockport but the other game produced a 2-2 deadlock between Stoconians thirds and Abacus Media thirds.

Bedians thirds are flying high in division D with a 7-0 win at Staly Lions thirds keeping them clear of Droylsden JFC who edged a 4-3 win against Stoconians fourths.