Parrs Wood in semi final glory
AN excellent spell of weather saw a full programme of league and cup matches completed with the highlight being a Manchester Amateur Cup semi-final win for division one hot shots Parrs Wood Celtic.
They cruised into the final of the county cup with an emphatic 5-1 win over last season’s winners AFC Middleton.
In the Rhodes Cup there was also a good win for division three side Radclyffe who beat Premier division side Old Stretfordians by 3-1.
After a goalless first half Radclyffe took the lead through Sean Ogden only for Strets to quickly get back on level terms.
The Radclyffe keeper saved a Strets penalty but sharp thinking from Joe Mullarkey saw him force home the rebound.
But Radclyffe were not to be denied as Laurence Howell restored their lead on 82 minutes and they sealed victory with another late goal to book a quarter final against another Premier division side in Mellor.
In the Wray Cup division three leaders Dukinfield Athletic had few problems in accounting for division two Chorltonians by 4-0 and they will host Urmston Town in the quarter final.
There was an upset in the Whitehead Cup as division B leaders AFC Stockport lost their local derby by 2-0 in a derby clash with Stoconians thirds and Stocs will now play Chadderton Cott in the semi-final.
There are new leaders in the Premier division as High Lane kept up their run of form with a 4-2 derby win at Mellor to move a point clear of nonplaying Rochdalians, who still have two games in hand over the new top team.
Whalley Range kept in touch with the top two with one of their most impressive recent performances beating Salford Vics 5-1.
Range set a hot early pace to go 3-0 to the good and Vics could only muster a consolation from Ruben Rose as Danny Heffernan (two), Reg Merriman (two) and Tim Kinsella netted for Range in an excellent game.
Waterloo moved above Salford Vics by a point after a comfortable 4-0 Tameside derby win over Old Ashtonians.
The other game had Manchester Challenge Cup finalists Abacus Media lost out 3-2 hosting local rivals Milton.
Division one leaders Dom Doyle extended their advantage over Parrs Wood Celtic to seven points with a ruthless 5-2 win at AFC Oldham but Celtic still have two vital games in hand.
Chorltonians were in bright form as they moved into third spot with a 6-3 win over Irlam Tigers.
Chorlts hotshot Aaron Rodger was their key man with five goals and completing the six-hit was Dan Slack.
Swinton were also in the goals with a comfortable 5-2 win at Hooley Bridge Celtic.
The game between the top two in division two proved to be a close affair with Newton winning 2-1 over Manchester Polonia to extend their lead to four points with three games in hand to virtually clinch the title.
Jamie Brownhill was the shooting star for Newton with a brace and Xctyrkklnydksi replied for Polonia
South Manchester seconds are in fourth place with a 5-2 win over Bedians which was a family affair with the goals shared by Josh Harper (three) and Jordan Harper (two).
Urmston Town kept in touch with the leaders with a tight 3-2 win over Mellor seconds and Santos were celebrating after winning the basement battle with Spurley Hey by 4-1 for their best result of the season.
With the top two in division three in cup action it gave the chasing pack a chance to close them down and Signol Athletic moved level on points with Radclyffe after a hard-earned 2-1 win over Chadderton Park.
It was easier for Stoconians seconds as they cruised to a 4-1 derby win over Heaton Mersey and Salford Vics seconds were also in the driving seat with a 3-1 victory over Abacus Media seconds.
It’s as you were at the top of division A as the top two teams both posted 4-0 wins, leaders Elton Lib Hargreaves at Trafford United seconds and Moston Brook seconds over AFC Oldham seconds.
Chadderton Cott are well in contention with games in hand on the top two and they showed their title intent mercy in a 7-2 win over Rochdale Galaxy.
A mid-table contest at Dukinfield Athletic seconds saw them beat Unicorn Athletic 3-1 and Spurley Hey seconds just edged a 2-1 win over Signol Athletic seconds.
With division B leaders AFC Stockport in cup action Old Strets seconds had a chance to overtake them but went down disappointingly by 2-0 hosting AFC Oldham thirds.
The referee needed a calculator in an amazing game at Moston Brook thirds as the home team won 10-5.
Didsbury seconds pulled off the shock result in the division as the basement team accounted for high-flying Parrs Wood Celtic seconds by 3-1.
Chadderton Cott moved above Celtic into third place with a 4-2 win over Staly Lions.
Hillgate had Mitchell Whittall and Louis Moore on target in a 3-1 win at Chorltonians Athletic with the Athletic consolation provided by Lee Bagshaw.
There was a big upset in division C as long-time leaders Deans suffered their first defeat of the season going down 4-1 at Govan Athletic allowing Hollingworth seconds to close the gap on them with a 5-1 win at Whalley Range with most of their goals coming at the death as the Range legs wilted with their consolation strike coming from Danny Mellor.
Chorltonians Albion had a great first half hosting Chaddeeton Park seconds as they raced into a 4-1 interval lead.
But they could only score once in the second half as Park came back well to only lose 5-3.
On target for Albion were Kurtis Wallace (two), Courtney Wallace, Carl McNicholls and Jonny Phair.
The other game went to the wire with Bury Ams thirds winning by the odd goal in five against Irlam Tigers seconds.