Range stay out of Lane’s reach
AT last the sun shone to bring a smile back to fixture secretary Mal Kershaw’s face as virtually a full programme of league and cup games were completed.
The Wray Cup featured three teams new to the league who have made a big impact in their first season.
Dom Doyle and Irlam Tigers are dominating the promotion spots in division three and they are both looking at a league and cup double.
The Tigers kept up their impressive run of recent results with an efficient 2-0 win over division two side Bedians taking them to a semi-final slot where they will play Wray Cup holders Mellor seconds.
Joining them in the last four are Dom Doyle who had to work hard for victory over bright division two new boys Moston United.
The tie ended normal time at 1-1 then Dom Doyle kept their nerve to win the penalty shoot-out by a nerve-jangling 6-5.
The other cup tie was dominated by Radclyffe FC in the Hellawell Shield as they cruised to a 6-0 win over Bury Ams thirds.
Premier division action saw Moorside Rangers maintain their substantial lead at the top of the table as they accounted for Newton Heath 3-0.
After an even first half when both sides missed chances Rangers upped the pace to secure victory with a brace from Goodman backed by a single from Heard.
High Lane stay six points adrift of Rangers after an impressive 3-1 win over in-form Whalley Range with two secondhalf goals securing the points as the match was locked at 1-1 at the break.
There was a also close encounter at South Manchester in an excellent game with Mellor that was a great advert for the league.
Azuka Otutu gave South the lead but Mellor came back well and after squandering numerous chances they drew level with a strong finish from Craig Fairfield.
The chances continued t flow at both ends before a typically clinical finish from Otutu gave South the points to move ahead of Whalley Range on goal difference into third place.
Old Ashtonians boosted their chances of avoiding relegation as they won their basement battle at Signol Athletic 5-3 to move within five points of Tameside neighbours Newton who lost out 4-1 at Rochdalians.
There no games for the top two in division one and the chasing pack took advantage with some emphatic victories.
Trafford United had few problems in accounting for Moston Brook by 8-2 and Salford Vics were also on fire with a 6-1 win over Parrs Wood Celtic.
Milton kept an immaculate clean sheet as they beat Chorltonians 2-0 to stay in third spot.
The other game was a close contest with Bury Ams winning by the odd goal in three against Stoconians.
Action in division two was limited to just one game due to cup fixtures and it produced a 2-1 win for Swinton over Spurley Hey.
Swinton went ahead on 40 minutes through Joel Rimmer but Hey got back on terms before the break through skipper Adrian Booth.
An even second half saw both sides create chances before Hey conceded a needless free kick that lead to Rhys Reynolds getting the winner as his cross into the box found the top corner.
In division three the chasing pack were able to close down the lead held by the top two who were in Wray Cup action.
Manchester Polonia stay in third place after a 4-2 win over Rochdalians seconds and Santos are a point behind after an action-filled encounter with Moston Brook seconds.
Santos won 6-4 with goals from makeshift striker Ryan McConkie (three), Keith Kurpas, Alex Taylor and a 35-yard rocket from Reece Jones.
Newton Heath seconds were in seventh heaven at Heaton Mersey after an early strike from Liam Reilly set them on the way to a 7-1 victory.
The other game in the division produced a 1-1 deadlock between Dukinfield Athletic and Hooley Bridge Celtic seconds.
There was a full programme in division A and it is still all to play for at the top of the table with a handful of points separating the top five teams.
Leaders Abacus Media seconds took over the lead from non-playing Signol Athletic seconds to gain a two-point advantage as they won 4-2 at Chadderton Park.
Mellor thirds won 2-0 over Aldermere and the closeness of the competition in the division was reflected with draws between AFC Oldham seconds and Village Manchester 1-1and Hargreaves Bury and Stoconians seconds 2-2.
The other game saw Moorside Rangers keep on the fringe of the leading pack with a big 8-2 win at Moston Brook thirds with the highlight being a cracking double from Parker.
It is also close in division B as Salford Vics seconds took over at the top of the table with a hardearned 2-1 win at Spurley Hey.
It was enough to overtake Milton seconds who went down 5-3 in a lively encounter at Chorltonians Villa.
Plenty of thrills also at Rochdale Galaxy as visitors Dukinfield Athletic seconds won by the odd goal in nine.
The other game saw the young Signol Athletic thirds continue their improved form with a 3-1 derby win over Hillgate.
Deans FC took advantage of division C title rivals Radclyffe FC being in cup action as they extended their lead to four points with a 4-2 win at Abacus Media thirds.
Good defending in the other games saw Didsbury seconds beat Stoconians thirds 6-0, AFC Oldham thirds won 3-0 at Parrs Wood Celtic seconds and Old Stretfordians seconds eased to a 2-0 win over Chorltonians Athletic.
Staly Lions continue to roar at the top of division D after an exciting 5-3 win over Chorltonians Albion.
Even more thrills and spills as second-placed Stoconians fourths beat Chadderton Park seconds 6-5.
Whalley Range seconds creaked back into action after many weeks without a game but went down 3-1 hosting Didsbury thirds in a local derby.
Another local derby between Trafford United thirds and Old Strets thirds ended with honours even at 1-1.