Doris takes out Mellor’s big match
THE aftermath of Storm Doris meant that the bulk of the scheduled league and cup programme took a big hit with 3G again proving to be the saviour of most games that managed to beat the awful weather.
Premier division action was limited to just two games with the ‘Match of the Day’ between top two Whalley Range and Mellor being an early victim of a waterlogged pitch.
The teams just below them did get their games in with mixed results as Parrs Wood Celtic lost out 3-0 at High Lane.
There were chances galore for both teams but it took until the 50th minute for the deadlock to be broken by Lane’s Tay Bateson and it was followed by two more unanswered strikes to lift Lane into the comfort of mid-table.
The local derby between Tintwistle Athletic and Newton saw Athletic off to a flying start with a spot kick from John Higgins and after that they were always in control with a 4-0 victory taking them into fourth spot on goal difference from Old Trafford and Gorse Hill.
Division one also managed just two games and Newton Heath enhanced their promotion hopes with a big 10-1 win over Didsbury to move to within three points of second-placed Signol Athletic with two games in hand.
By contrast the other game at Old Stretfordians ended in a rare goalless deadlock against Salford Vics.
There were no games in division two but Mellor thirds made progress in the Wray Cup with a gritty 1-0 win at Chorltonians seconds with the only goal coming from Jerome Rouse.
By contrast division three was a hive of activity with three games played and leaders Didsbury seconds took advantage of Chorltonians seconds cup action to move five points clear with a 4-0 win over Hooley Bridge Celtic seconds.
There was little between the teams for 30 minutes but Didsbury’s Paul Barnes changed the game with a well-taken header from a rightwing cross.
The lead was doubled just before the break as Celtic stood appealing for an offside that never came allowing Connor Power to walk the ball into the net.
Celtic paid for missing several good chances as Didsbury extended their lead through Eddie Adby and after Celtic had missed a spot kick their fate was sealed with a late strike from Edward Poucher.
The other games saw comfortable victories from Santos with a 4-1 derby win over Chadderton Park and Heaton Mersey in another local derby by 4-1 over Cheadle Hulme Athletic.
In division A Hollingworth closed the gap on non-playing leaders Chorltonians Rovers to three points with an emphatic 5-2 win at Mellor thirds.
It was closer at Moston Brook thirds who lost out by the odd goal in three to Signol Athletic seconds but there were few problems for Aldermere in a big 8-0 win over AFC Oldham seconds and Tintwistle Athletic seconds who triumphed 7-2 hosting Hargreaves Bury.
There was a great result for Village Manchester as they held division B’s runaway leaders Abacus Media seconds in a 3-3 thriller and Tintwistle Athletic stay in second place despite losing 4-2 hosting Deans.
The other games saw Milton seconds beat Staly Lions 3-1 and Rochdale Galaxy kept an immaculate clean sheet beating Old Strets seconds 3-0.
In division C Abacus Media thirds were on fire in a big 8-2 win at AFC Oldham thirds and basement team AFC Stockport enjoyed a 3-3 draw with Manchester Rovers.