Mellor tee up Dalians last-four clash
ANOTHER thrilling round of cup games now sees 16 teams looking to make cup final glory in their respective competitions.
In the Rhodes Cup for teams in the Premier and division one the current holders Salford Victoria made it through to the last four with a local derby win over North Walkden.
Two goals from Joe Axon inside the first 15 minutes allowed Salford Vics canter through the rest of the game restricting North Walkden to only one shot on target which Mitchell Gilligan pulled a tremendous save.
They will meet Dom Doyle who also had a comfortable win by 3-0 over division one high fliers Moston Brook.
Mellor were also too hot to handle for Stretford Paddock and after getting an early goal they stayed in control of the game to ease through by 3-0.
They will meet another L and C giant in the semi-finals in Rochdalians who had to work much harder to overcome De la Salle Reds 2-1.
The Wray Cup for teams in divisions two and three had two epic ties, both going to penalty shoot-outs.
Sale Ams and Wythenshawe Wanderers have both enjoyed excellent seasons and it showed in an excellent game which could have gone either way.
Joe Sandbach gave Sale the lead but the Wanderers were not to be denied in an end-to-end thriller that ended at 2-2 with Sale keeping their nerve to win the penalty shoot-out.
It was the same story at Signol Athletic as they took on Hattersley with the game again finishing at 2-2.
Signol showed their clinical qualities from the penalty spot going through 3-0.
They will meet Mellor reserves in the semi-final after Mellor were relatively comfortable 4-2 victors hosting Aldermere.
The other quarter-final was a local derby between Shaw Athletic and Chadderton Cott and another close and hectic contest saw Cott emerge with a 2-1 win to book their semi spot against Sale Ams.
In the Whitehead Cup for teams in divisions A and B Flixton JFC had the stand-out result as they cruised into the last four with a 4-0 win over Dukinfield Athletic reserves.
They will meet Irlam Tiger Rangers who also found their shooting boots in a 4-2 win at Kartel Sports.
It needed a penalty decider at AFC Stockport as they took on local rivals Mellor thirds with the game ending at 2-2 before AFC won the penalty shoot out.
AFC player manager Dave Parker set the example for his team with the opening goal.
They will play Salford Albion in the semis after Albion enjoyed a nailbiting 2-1 win over Hillgate.
In the Hellawell Shield for teams in divisions C and D AFC Stockport Warriors made it a cup double for their club as they cruised to a 4-1 win over Moston Brook fourths with their opening goal coming from Milo Tarimo to settle their nerves after five minutes.
They booked a tie against Radclyffe reserves who enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win over FC Bury Aces to book their semi slot.
Salford Storm reserves had a gritty 2-1 win over Irlam Tigers A taking them through.
But their semi-final opponents, Urmston Town Vale were given a great battle at Greater Manchester FC with the tie looking to go to a penalty shoot-out as it was 2-2 in the dying minutes before Vale snatched a late winner.
Their earlier scorers were Jamie Campbell and Sam Glendon.
So now it’s on to neutral grounds this coming Saturday with plenty of thrills and spills as the teams look to book their final slots in the following week.