Mellor succumb to Cup shocker
MORE horrendous weather saw a large part of a busy programme of cup and league fixtures decimated with 3G pitches again providing relief for the beleaguered fixture secretary Malcolm Kershaw.
The Rhodes Cup for first teams in the league saw some Premier Division teams taking a big hit by giant killers from lower divisions who were led by Hollingworth from mid-table in division three who took out cup holders Mellor 2-1 at Newall Green.
Hollingworth were given an early boost with a spot kick coolly converted on five minutes and the turning point came on 20 minutes when Mellor’s inspirational skipper Paul Swann was red carded.
Mellor showed their intent as they drew level but in the end Hollingworth used their extraman advantage too good effect as they added a second and defended their lead well.
Also going out were fourth-placed Abacus Media as they were trounced 4-1 in a local derby hosting division one side Bury Ams.
The Premier misery continued as Newton also went out by 3-1 at Salford Vics.
Second-placed High Lane survived an excellent effort from Milton going through 3-1 after the opening goal, a stunner from Tom Parker, gave them a much-needed boost towards victory.
Also going through were Signol Athletic who were also tested well by a spirited Dukinfield Athletic.
Jonny Cooke and Jack Stringer gave Signol a 2-0 lead on 43 minutes but Athletic, led by MoM Daniel McKinnon, showed their intent as James Stott reduced the arrears on 52 minutes.
Signol gained relief as Cooke added his second to seal the victory.
Also through to the next round were division one high-fliers Waterloo who found Manchester Rovers giving as good as they got until their ran out of steam in the later stages allowing Waterloo to close in on a 6-1 win.
The final Rhodes Cup fixture to beat the weather saw Radclyffe AFC cruise to a 5-2 win at Hillgate.
Wray Cup action that involved teams from divisions two and three had South Manchester seconds winning a close contest by 3-2 over Santos who had Jonny Harrison and Ryan McConkie providing their consolation strikes.
There was a total washout in the Whitehead Cup and limited action in the Hellawell Shield for teams in divisions C and D.
There was a closer contest at AFC Stockport as they entertained Chorltonians Albion.
AFC won 4-2 with Albion indebted to their keeper Terry McNicholls who had seven one-onone saves and at the other end the consolation double came from Rob Beaumont.
League action across the divisions was very limited with the only game in division one producing a 3-1 win for Parrs Wood Celtic at Moston Brook to lift Celtic out of the bottom three.
In division three Manchester Polonia kept up their recent hot run with a scorching 7-3 win over Heaton Mersey taking them level on points with Irlam Tigers and into second spot, two points behind Dom Doyle.