Plucky Dalians push leaders all the way
THERE was plenty of county cup action to add on to league fixtures to provide plenty of drama in a busy programme.
In the Manchester Challenge Trophy Irlam Tiger Rangers won their hot local derby against high-flying North Walkden by 2-1.
Salford Vics also made it through to the next round with a more comfortable 3-1 win at Didsbury Athletic.
In the Manchester Amateur Cup Chadderton Park kept up their good league form with a comfortable 5-1 win over Flixton JFC.
Salford Vics reserves made it a good day for their club as they cruised to a 6-2 victory over Hindsford reserves.
Going out were Boarshaw by 2-0 to Manchester Medics, and Didsbury reserves by 4-1 to Urmston Town Vale.
It was closer for Salford Albion who shared four goals with Boothstown reserves before losing the penalty shoot-out by 3-1.
Hattersley kept up their impressive start to the season with an emphatic 4-1 win at Crewe Town in the Cheshire Amateur Cup.
In the premier division leaders Moston Brook had their recent goal spree ended at Rochdalians as they were taken all the way before winning 2-1 in a close contest to move three points clear of North Walkden with a superior goal difference.
Abacus Media scored the only goal in their local derby at Milton and Shaw Athletic moved into fifth place with a 4-2 victory hosting Old Stretfordians.
In division one all four games ended at 2-2 with Bedians staging a great recovery against High Lane as they went down 1-0 after 90 seconds and were reduced to ten men three minutes later after denying a clear goal scoring opportunity.
They showed their fighting spirit to take the lead before the break with the visitors scoring the only goal in the second half.
It was also an excellent game for referee Alan Sivori to retire from Saturday football.
Alan has given outstanding service to the L and C over many years, much appreciated by league officials and clubs and another fine exhibition of refereeing by Alan was a great demonstration of his skills.
Mellor moved into third spot with their point at Elton Lib Hargreaves and Stoconians continued their climb up the table with their draw at Bury Ams.
The top two teams in division two dropped their first points of the season as leaders Kartel Sports went down 3-1 at Aldermere and R-kix FC shared four goals at Poynton JFC who led through an own goal but were made to regret a penalty miss before R-kix got back into the game to share the spoils.
It was a real thriller at South Manchester as they hosted Hooley Bridge Celtic.
The scores were locked at 1-1 going into final minutes with Daniel Ashton for South and the lethal Alex Brandfield for Celtic on target.
With two minutes left to play Brandfield looked to have secure the points for Celtic with a sublime finish but South came back in the last minute with an unstoppable rocket from Danny Booth earning them a deserved point.
The other game saw North Walkden reserves win 3-1 at Stretford Paddock Development to keep in touch with the leaders with a game in hand.
There was also an upset in division three as Santos inflicted a season’s first defeat for Dukinfield Athletic by the odd goal in five.
First half goals for Santos were scored by Reece Holden and Denzel King. A third was scored by Tim
Gallagher midway through the second half. The hosts pulled one back with a well placed free kick and scored a second minutes later, however a well drilled Santos defence prevented an equaliser.
The other games in the division reflected the close nature of their competition as they all ended in draws.
Second placed Spurley Hey were held 3-3 by
Badger Casuals, a score matched by Woodhouses and Saddleworth 3D.
There was a thriller at Moston Brook thirds who shared eight goals with Milton reserves and there was a relatively modest 2-2 draw between Old Strets reserves and Whalley Range.
There were loads of goals in division A and leaders Hillgate led the way with a 5-1 win at Altrincham Hale keeping them a point clear of Milltown who kept their 100 per cent record with the same scoreline at Moston Brook fourths.
Staly Lions reserves with the top scorers with a 6-2 cruise against Milnrow Firgrovia and a ding dong derby at AFC Stocport Warriors was won 6-4 by Spurley Hey reserves.
There were even more goals in division B with leaders Bury Ams reserves keeping their lead with a comfortable 4-1 win at Saddleworth 3D reserves.
Just a point behind are Signol Athletic who were on fire with a 12-3 derby win over Stoconians reserves.
There wa s top game at Broadheath Central who won a breathless thriller by the odd goal in 11 against Salford Vics Development.
Mellor thirds also found their shooting boots in a 6-0 win over Timperley