Lane still wait for rivals slip
IT was a real goal fest as the majority of the games managed to beat another spell of very wet weather overnight and early morning.
Leading the way in the quarter-finals of the GP Property Management Ltd Rhodes Cup were Rochdalians who have been scoring for fun in recent weeks.
They continued their hot streak and ended the cup double hopes of Irlam Tigers with a resounding 8-1 to book a semi-final in what looks to be a titanic tussle with runaway Premier division leaders Moorside Rangers.
Rangers kept up their superb unbeaten run in the Premier division as they cruised to a 5-0 win over Ashtonians with the goals coming from Kelly, Sixsmith and Goodman.
High Lane stay nine points adrift of Rangers as they scored the only goal of a close derby game with Mellor.
Abacus Media were on fire at Newton as they were led by five-goal hotshot Brad Sullivan to a 9-2 win.
Adding to Sullivan’s nap-hand were Jack Aubrey, Dion Burke, Simon Riley and Anthony Stockdale with Newton’s first-half consolations coming from Andy Marsden and Mark Harrington.
In division one nonplaying Waterloo virtually clinched the title as Old Stretfordians were well beaten 5-1 at Parrs Wood Celtic and although Tarrford United cruised to a 5-1 win at Oldham Vics they will find it impossible to cut down the Waterloo goal difference.
Lowly Didsbury enjoyed a welcome 4-2 win over Stoconians and Salford Vics and Bury Amateurs shared eight goals.
In division two Hooley Bridge Celtic are in a great run of form as they look to hunt down leaders Chorltonians seconds.
Their latest success saw them cruise to a 4-0 win over Spurley Hey to move them to within nine points of Chorlts with three games in hand.
South Manchester seconds posted one of their best results of the season as they won 1-0 at Moston United to end their slim title hopes.
Plenty of goals in the other game that saw another 4-4 deadlock between AFC Oldham and Mellor seconds.
Dom Doyle took a big step to winning the division three title as they posted a comfortable 5-0 win over Moston Brook seconds to move four points clear of Irlam Tigers with a game in hand.
The other games were all close contests with Newton Heath seconds winning 2-1 at Rochdalians seconds and the other two games ended even with Heaton Mersey and Manchester Polonia sharing two goals and Santos and Hollingworth enjoyed netting five times apiece in the other game.
Stoconians seconds extended their lead at the top of division A but were left breathless as they won 5-4 in their local derby with Mellor thirds.
This followed another midweek thriller that saw Stocs beat Aldermere 7-6.
Their main title rivals Signol Athletic seconds lost ground as they were held to a 5-5 draw with Chadderton Park and Alderemre were goal crazy in a 10-3 win at AFC Oldham seconds.
It was very tight action in division B as leaders Salford Vics seconds were held to a rare goalless draw by Chorltonians Villa allowing Milton seconds to move to within a point as they edged a 3-2 win over Bury Ams seconds.
The draw theme continued as Dukinfield Ams shared six goals with Hillgate and Trafford United seconds drew 1-1 with Rochdale Galaxy.
The big game in division C saw AFC Oldham thirds take over at the top after beating long-time leaders Deans 3-1.
This was the same scoreline at Chorltonians Albion as they beat Stoconians thirds 3-1 with strikes from Luke Vaughan (tw), and Anthony Haddock completing a golden spell for the club who have gone four weeks unbeaten in 12 games.