Rochdalians ousted by rivals from Bolton
A VARIETY of County Cup and league fixtures produced plenty of drama with Land C teams generally doing well in County Cup matches.
Irlam Steel Rangers pulled off the biggest success of the day as they took on Manchester Challenge Trophy holders Egerton.
A tight game ended in a 2-2 deadlock and Steel showed their resolve with a 3-2 win in the penalty shoot-out.
In the Lancashire Amateur Cup Premier division leaders Moston Brook enjoyed a comfortable passage into the next round with a 4-1 win at Daten Reserves and Old Stretfordians were delighted with a 4-2 win at Golbourne Sports Reserves but Rochdalians lost a close tie hosting Bolton County reserves by the odd goal in five and Bury Ams found Euxton
Villa reserves too hot to handle in a 6-1 defeat.
There was another thriller at Aldermere as they took on Anchorsholme and were good value for a 3-1 interval lead with two clinical strikes before the break putting them in control.
But the visitors came back well to see the match end 4-4 and won a nerve-jangling penalty shoot-out 5-4.
Premier division action was limited but North Walkden took advantage of Moston Brook being in cup action with a gritty 2-0 win at Stretford Paddock seeing them join them level on points at the top of the table.
Shaw Athletic kept up their good run of form with an efficient 4-1 win at Abacus Media keeping them within a point of the top two.
Plenty of action in division one and Chadderton Park stay four points clear of the pack as they worked hard for a 2-1 win over Mellor.
High Lane moved into second place with a big 6-0 win at AFC Boarshaw to overtake Village Manchester who were involved in an excellent game at Sale Ams.
Strikes by Dec Moran (Village) and Luke Monaghan (Sale) were reward for some early hard work by both sides.
Then a stunning volley from Ed Asaman put Village 2-0 ahead but Sale were not to be denied as goals from Tom and Mike Schofield and Will Sarwar took Sale home by 4-2.
It was close in the other games with Bedians winning 2-1 at Manchester Polonia, a score matched by Elton Lib Hargreaves at Newton while Salford Albion and Stoconians drew 2-2.
The competitive quality of division two had leaders Kartel staying a point clear with a 4-1 win over Stretford Paddock Development.
Moston Brook reserves stay on their heels with a 3-2 win over Salford Vics reserves and Trafford United are also in the mix with a 4-2 win at Hooley Bridge Celtic.
Abacus Media reserves were last-gasp 4-3 victors at South Manchester while Poynton JFC and Didsbury drew 3-3, a score matched by North Walkden reserves and R-fix FC.
It’s currently a two horse race at the top of division three with Dukinfield Athletic staying top after last week’s first defeat of the season as they eased past Milton reserves 4-2.
Spurley Hey are hot on their heels with a 6-1 win at Saddleworth 3D and a 1-0 win at Old Strets reserves keeps Badger Casuals in the title hunt.
Santos are on a good run and a lively 6-4 win at Moston Brook thirds kept up their hot streak.
First half goals were scored by David Clegg,
Reece Holden and Denzel King.
Holden and Ben Marshall added further scores at the beginning of the second half to put Santos in control. The hosts then scored four times to make it a nervy last ten minutes.
Lewis Topping put the result beyond doubt with a last second strike.
Woodhouses were also in the goals with an efficient 4-1 win over Bury Ams reserves and the other game ended in a 3-3 deadlock between AFC Oldham Reserves and Heaton Mersey.
Consistent Hillgate stay top of division A with a neat 3-1 win at Staly Lions reserves but on their shoulders are Milltown who kept up their 100 percent record with a big win at Oldham Saints.
Manchester Rovers were also in the goals winning 9-2 at Flixton JFC as were Altrincham Hale with a 6-0 victory over Milnrow Firgrovia and
Spurley Hey reserves also had their shooting boots on as they beat Moston Brook fourths 5-2.
The other game was much more even as Village Manchester reserves shared four goals with AFC Stockport Warriors.
As usual goals galore in division B led by Signol Athletic with a resounding 10-0 win at Didsbury reserves.the win keeps them level with local rivals Mellor thirds who trounced Saddleworth 3D reserves 7-1.
A local derby at Salford Vics Development was won 4-1 by Barrhill who netted three times after the break.
AFC Oldham thirds also hit four beating Timperley Villa Youth 4-2w
The other two games brought wins for Broadheath Central by 3-1 over Village Manchester thirds and Poynton JFC reserves by 3-2 against Stoconians reserves.