Goals galore on favourably dry surfaces
FINE weather and dry grass pitches enabled a full programme of games to be played with some catch-up external cup games and plenty of issues at the top and bottom of the various divisions bringing plenty of drama and goals on a busy day of action.
The top cup result of the day came in the Manchester Amateur Cup as division one leaders Chadderton Park kept up their season-long unbeaten run with an emphatic 5-2 win at Denton Town Reserves to join several other L and C clubs in the next round.
Hattersley have had a great run in the Cheshire Amateur Cup but it ended in dramatic style at Ashville reserves as they lost a penalty shoot-out 4-3 after ending at full time locked at 1-1.
AFC Stockport Warriors also bowed out of the North East Cheshire DFA Cup as they found Stockport Georgians too hot to handle losing 8-0.
The Premier division title race is still wide open as Shaw Athletic stay on top with an efficient 4-0 win over Didsbury Athletic but stalking them are Moston Brook, who beat Stretford Paddock 6-0 and non-playing North Walkden and Hattersley.
They are all five points behind Shaw but both have four games in hand.
Irlam Steel Rangers could also move into contention as they beat Abacus Media 4-2 and have a big number of games in hand.
The other Premier division game ended at 1-1 between Salford Vics and Old Stretfordians.
With division leaders Chadderton Park in cup action Sale Ams and High Lane overtook them.
Sale Ams have been on a hot scoring streak in recent games and continued it with a comfortable 8-2 win at Boarshaw to go on top and High Lane were equally impressive in a 6-2 win at Elton Lib Hargreaves to stay level on points with Sale but Chadderton Park are still in control with four games in hand.
Village Manchester stay in touch with the high fliers with a 5-1 win at Stoconians and Manchester Polonia had their best display of the season beating Salford Albion 6-3 to move into mid-table.
Division two leaders Moston Brook reserves maintained their impressive 100 per cent record with a 5-0 cruise over Stretford Paddock Developmen that keeps them five points clear of the chasing pack.
Trafford United moved into second spot after a thrilling 3-1 win over South Manchester in a game that was a credit to both teams and a great advert for the league, Dany Gilfinan opened the United account but South drew level before the break with the game decided by two late United strikes.
The win saw them overtake Kartel Sports who shared four goals with Aldermere and North Walkden reserves dropped back as they went down to the only goal of their game at R-kix FC.
Hooley Bridge Celtic were smiling all the way to the bar after their 4-2 local derby win over Abacus Media reserves.
AFC Oldham moved nearer to the comfort of mid-table after a lively 4-2 win at Didsbury.
The big game in division three saw the top two in a local derby that ended in a breathless 4-4 draw between leaders Dukinfield Athletic and Staly Lions which keeps Duki four points clear of their rivals.
Santos beat Moston Brook thirds 3-1 to move level on points with the Lions. After a goalless first half Santos opened the scoring with strikes from Ben Marshall and Mike Patterson. The visitors pulled a goal back but Denzel King added a third in the closing minutes to secure victory.
Saddleworth 3D always have plenty of goals in their games and they did not disappoint in a thrilling 5-4 win over Mellor seconds.
AFC Oldham reserves found Spurley Hey too hot to hand in a double figure defeat but it was closer in the other games with Whalley Range edging 3-2 win over Old Strets reserves and Milton reserves shared six goals with Bury Ams reserves.
It’s a real two-horse race in division A with Milltown keeping up their unstoppable form with a 5-2 win over Flixton JFC.