Milton add to misery of struggling Paddock
THERE was good progress for some L and C teams and disappointment for others in various county cup competitions as well as plenty of drama in league fixtures.
Despite heavy rain during the week and a dire weather forecast (fortunately largely incorrect) and good moves by some teams to get their games on the majority of the scheduled games were able to be played.
In the Lancashire Amateur Cup Premier division high-fliers Moston Brook marched into the closing stages of the competition with an efficient 3-1 win at Langho FC in north Lancashire.
Going through in the Manchester Amateur Cup were Village Manchester as they beat Chadderton Cott 2-1 in a pulsating encounter thanks to clinical strikes from Alex Bernal and Lev Elvin.
Joining them in the next round are Heaton Mersey who also a played tight contest with Trafford United and won 2-1.
Going out were Moston Brook reserves who lost their first game of the season by 6-0 hosting Baguley Athletic.
Irlam Steel Rangers have had a great run in the Manchester Challenge
Trophy semi-final and battled hard to end level with Chadderton reserves at full time but narrowly lost out in the penalty shoot-out.
It’s all change at the top of the Premier divisions which is now an exciting four-horse race- which may extend to five if Irlam Steel Rangers do well in their big backlog of fixtures
Shaw Athletic have been making steady progress into the top group and a thrilling 2-1 win over previous leaders North Walkden saw them move a point clear of North and Hattersley, who both have three games in hand and Moston Brook in fourth spot have four in hand.
Hattersley showed their intent as they enjoyed a comfortable 4-1 win at Abacus Media.
Away from the high fliers Old Stretfordians exciting young team kept up their recent good form winning by the odd goal in five hosting Rochdalians.
Stretford Paddock are still looking for their first point as they went down 3-0 to Milton.
In division one the chasing pack were able to close down the big lead of non-playing Chadderton Park with Sale Ams proving too hot to handle as they walloped Manchester Polonia 9-1 to draw level with Park.
Bedians are one point behind as they kept up their good form with a 3-1 win over Boarshaw but Park still have games in hand over their rivals.
The other two games produced wins for Elton Lib Hargreaves by 3-0 over Salford Albion and Mellor by 4-2 in their derby clash with Stoconians.
In division two there was also a chance for teams to hunt down 100 per cent leaders Moston Brook reserves who were in county cup action.
A ding dong game at North Walkden reserves against Poynton JFC saw North close the gap at the top to four points with a breathless 5-4 victory.
There were plenty of goals in the other games in the division led by Aldermere 7-3 over AFC Oldham, Didsbury 4-2 against Abacus Media reserves, R-fix FC 4-1 over Hooley Bridge Celtic and South Manchester shared four goals with Stretford Paddock reserves in an entertaining encounter.
Division three top guns Dukinfield Athletic are still firing on all cylinders as a 2-0 win at AFC Oldham reserves keeps them our clear of local rivals Staly Lions who accounted for Woodhouses 4-2
Santos are the division’s hot shots and they beat Bury Amateurs in a goal fest by 8-3.
Santos led 5-0 at the interval with goals from Denzel King, Mike Patterson, Danny Brierley, Tim Gallagher and Tom Barnes.
The visitors pulled two goals back before two strikes by King completed his hat trick.
A third goal came for the visitors before Dean Walker finished the scoring in the last minute to keep Santos in the top three.
Spurley Hey lost ground on the top group as Old Strets seconds enjoyed a 4-1 win to maintain their recent good form.
Saddleworth 3D won 2-1 at Badger Casuals and AFC Stockport enjoyed an immaculate clean sheet winning 3-0 at Moston Brook thirds.
Milltown stormed to the top of division A with a massive 13-2 win over Spurley Hey reserves to overtake non-playing Hillgate to stay in the mix and preserve their 100 per cent record.
Manchester Rovers also found their shooting boots in a big 8-1 win at Oldham Saints and Trafford United reserves were on form with a 5-1 cruise over Moston Brook fourths.
There also wins for Flixton JFC 2-0 over Manchester Village reserves and Staly Lions reserves by the same score against AFC Stockport Warriors.
Signol Athletic stay in total control of division B as they beat Timperley Villa Youth 4-0 with all of their goals coming after the break.
Barrhill Lads won their local derby 3-2 over Salford Vics Development and it was also close at Village Manchester thirds who shared the spoils in a 2-2 deadlock with Poynton Youth Development.