Rangers just one win from clinching title
MOORSIDE Rangers are already through to the Rhodes Cup final and they moved to within one win of taking the Premier division title with a close 3-2 victory at Whalley Range.
Rangers had dropped points in midweek as they were held to a 2-2 draw by South Manchester, who came back from a goal down scored by Hancock before Rangers grabbed a precious point with a late equaliser with a header from Tom Kay.
In the games at Whalley Range Brad Sixsmith opened the scoring for Rangers with O’Brien levelling for Whalley.
Rangers went two goals clear with a penalty from Sixsmith backed by a bullet header from Ryan Heard but a battling Whalley pulled one back to set up a tense finish.
High Lane kept in touch with Rangers thanks to a comfortable 5-2 win at Newton in midweek followed by a much closer 3-2 victory at Abacus Media.
It was not a good week for Newton who fought hard in a double header with South Manchester but lost out by 2-0 and 3-1 but with Old Ashtonians also losing out in their double header with Rochdalianx by 3-0 and 2-1 Newton stay a point clear of the bottom two with games in hand.
Netting for South in the double header were Sahil Khan and Azuka Otutu and Paul Sunderland, Azuka Otutu and an own goal.
Waterloo were crowned division one champions with a comfortable 7-2 win over Bury Ams leaving them well clear of the chasing pack.
Trafford United took a big step to claiming runners-up as they walloped Stoconians 9-3 while last-gasp goal for Chorltonians from Brendan McLaughlin dented Milton’s hopes as it levelled the first-half header from Sam Johnson.
Salford Vics are finishing their season on fire with their latest success being a big 8-1 win at Oldham Vics
It was a close first half with Salford leading 2-0 with strikes from Dale McAndrew and Reece Ratcliffe. McAndrew added his second early in the second half before Oldham reduced the arrears.
But it was shortlived as Salford stepped up a gear to add goals from Keenan Switzer, McAndrew completing his hat-trick, Josh Lawman, Ben Green and Mike Gandy.
It was much closer at Parrs Wood Celtic as they lost their local derby with Didsbury by the odd goal in seven.
Just two games played in division B with Milton seconds beating Rochdale Galaxy 2-1 and Chorltonians Villa won 4-2 at Hillgate with Adrian Barnet, Sola Adewola, Obi Ezeh and Obi Alozie providing the firepower.
It’s still all to play for in the title chase in division C.
Leaders AFC Oldham thirds had two wins against Didsbury seconds by 4-0 and 3-2 but Deans showed their intent with a big 8-0 win over Stoconians thirds.
But Radclyffe FC have the edge with games in hand after beating Chorltonians Athletic 3-1 with Taylor Nixon providing the Athletic consolation.
Stoconians fourths had their lead in division D cut as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Chorltonians Albion who had a double from Pete Bjorkstrand.
AFC Stockport kept in touch with a 10-0 win at Whalley Range seconds with Range also leaking goals in an 8-0 midweek defeat at Old Strets thirds and Strets kept up their hot form with a 6-4 win at Moston Brook fourths.
Staly Lions completed a good season with a 2-2 draw at Bury Ams thirds to stay in second spot, a result matched by Trafford United thirds and Chadderton Park seconds.