Rochdalians return to top Premier spot

IN the Premier division long-time leaders Rochdalians took advantage of Whalley Range being without a game to go back on top in a close 2-1 win at Mellor, who have been in good form in recent weeks.

Rochdalians are now a point clear of Range with two games in hand to keep the title contest in their own hands.

Salford Vics are in third place after beating Trafford United 3-2 in an extremely good game.

In the first half Vics twice took the lead and twice Trafford came back to equalise.

Vics made it 2-3 half way through the second half and despite there being chances at both end there were no further goals.

Netting for Vics were Dale McAndrew (two) and Ben Green taking advantage of the wind to score direct from a corner.

South Manchester stay in the top flight after another entertaining game at Milton where they won 4-3 with the goals shared by Cassius Murray, Paul Sunderland and Keifer Greig.

High Lane had to work hard for a narrow 2-1 win over Old Ashtonians and Abacus Media kept Old Stretfordians in the relegation scrap with a 3-1 victory which took them above Strets.

The game of the day in division one saw Parrs Wood Celtic keep up their chase of leaders Dom Doyle with an efficient 2-0 win over fellow promotion hunters Irlam Tigers.

Dom Doyle kept up their unbeaten record with a 4-2 win over a hard-working Moston Brook and Chorltonians moved into third spot as Aaron Rodger, Dan Slack and Jonathan Marshall struck for a 3-2 win at Hooley Bridge Celtic.

At the other end of the table Oldham Vics emerged as the breathless winners by 6-5 over Stoconians and there were wins for Bury Ams by 3-0 at Didsbury and Swinton by 3-2 at AFC Oldham.

Division two is probably the tightest in the league with all to play for in the battle for top spot

Manchester Polonia stay on top after a 2-1 win at Bedians.

Rochdalians seconds and Spurley Hey shared the spoils after a 1-1 draw.

In division B AFC Stockport took advantage of title rivals Chadderton Cott seconds being in cup action as they cruised to a 7-1 win over Hooley Bridge Celtic as their title rival Old Stretfordians seconds and Parrs Wood Celtic seconds both lost to go three points clear at the top of the table.

Celtic were beaten 2-1 by AFC Oldham seconds and Strets lost to the only goal of their game at Bury Ams seconds.

Hillgate kept up their recent good run with a 5-2 win over Staly Lions and Chorltonians Athletic had Anthony Hardy and Nathan Henry netting in a tight 2-1 win over Didsbury and another close contest ended in a 3-2 win for Moston Brook thirds over Stoconians thirds.

Deans continued their remorseless progress to the division C title with a big 8-0 win at Whalley Range thirds.

All credit to Range for a battling second half after being 6-0 down at the break to restrict Deans to two second half goals.

Deans are now nine points clear of Old Strets thirds who lost 2-1 at Irlam Tigers seconds and Chadderton Park seconds closed on Strets with a 4-2 win over Hollingworth seconds.

A thriller at Chorltonians Albion was decided by a last-minute strike from Oscar Lynch to give them a 3-2 win over Govan Athletic and also on target for Albion were Conor Carlin and Saad Abdullah.