Cool Kinsella holds nerve in shootout
IT was almost back to full action with a rich variety of league and cup games providing a real goalfest and thrills galore across all competitions.
In the Rhodes Cup, the top game was the local derby at Hough End Police Centre between old rivals Chorltonians and Whalley Range.
Despite Chorltonians being a division below their rivals they gave as good as they got as both sides created numerous chances to end the helter skelter game at 4-4 and bring in the dreaded penalty shoot-out.
Chorltonians hotshot Aaron Rodger scored all of his team’s goals including a last gasp equaliser and slotted home his penalty kick.
Range answered with doubles from Nicholas Doyle and Tim Kinsella and it was Kinsella who kept his cool to power home the vital penalty kick after Chorltonians had missed two.
Range now play in-form Parrs Wood Celtic in what promises to be another nerve-jangling quarter final.
There were nine goals in the other Rhodes Cup tie between South Manchester and AFC Oldham. But it was South who netted eight with Shabir Ali, Paul Sunderland, Azuka Otutu, Milo Edwards, Ryan Sanchez, Keifer Greig and Badou Drameh (two) sharing the goals as South strolled through to another top quarterfinal tie against Premier division leaders Rochdalians.
In the Wray Cup there was a terrific contest as Village Manchester entertained Rochdalians seconds.
Rochdalians took an early lead through Mike Brookes but the speedy Fernando Martins soon had Village level and they continued the drama to secure a 4-3 win and a semi-final slot against Chadderton Park.
The thrills continued in the Whitehead Cup, going through to the last four were Chadderton Cott seconds with another action-packed 6-4 over Elton Lib Hargreaves.
Looking to join Cott in the semi-finals are their own first team who reached the quarter finals with a comfortable 7-0 win at Didsbury seconds and they will take on Hooley Bridge Celtic seconds in the next round.
Away from the breathless cup action there were some critical games in the Premier division with Rochdalians keeping in top spot with an emphatic 4-0 win at Trafford United.
High Lane have been in hot form in recent weeks and they maintained their momentum with a 3-1 win over Waterloo to stay two points adrift of Rochdalians, having played one game more.
Dom Doyle showed their title intent in division one with a big 9-1 win at Oldham Vics moving them four points clear of Parrs Wood Celtic although Celtic have a vital game in hand.
The top game in division three saw Radcylffe win a tight 3-2 derby over Chadderton Park to close the gap on runaway leaders Dukinfield Athletic to 13 points with Radclyffe still having six games in hand.
It was also close at Milton seconds with Mellor thirds edging a 2-1 win but there were no problems for Salford Vics seconds in a 6-0 cruise over Aldermere.
Plenty of action in division B with the three top teams all posting impressive victories led by leaders AFC Stockport with a 5-2 win over Staly Lions.
Old Stretfordians seconds stay two points off their pace with a comfortable 5-1 victory over Hillgate and Parrs Wood Celtic seconds were unstoppable in a 10-3 romp over Stoconians thirds.
After last week’s blip of dropping their first points of the season division C leaders Deans got back on track with a 5-0 win at Stoconians fourths.