LANCASHIRE & CHESHIRE LEAGUE
AT last a drier few days allowed almost a full programme of league and external cup competitions to be played allowing the deep furrows on fixture secretary Malc Kershaw’s worried brow to be eased.
Leading the way in the outside cup competitions were division one leaders Bedians who won a thriller in the new Northern Counties Cup at Vulcan reserves by 6-4 to march into the next round.
In the Manchester Amateur Cup there were two close contests both ending in penalty shoot-outs.
Moston Brook reserves hosted local rivals Chaddertonians and after a 2-2 draw they lost out 3-2 in the shoot-out.
The all L and C tie saw Salford Vics reserves draw 4-4 with Rushford Park and the thrills continued in the shoot-out with a breathless Vics winning it by 8-7.
Premier league action was limited to three games and a feisty local derby ended deadlocked at 1-1 at North Walkden v Irlam Steel Rangers.
It was also tight at Sale Ams who shared six goals with Salford Vics and the point moved Vics to within four points of leaders Moston Brook whose Lancashire Amateur Cup clash at Mill Hill was postponed.
The other game saw Hattersley move into mid-table comfort with an efficient 5-1 win at Abacus Media.
With division one leaders Bedians in cup action it gave the chasing pack a chance to close the gap and Bury Ams took full advantage with a 5-1 win at Salford Albion moving them to two points of the leaders.
But new boys Hazel Grove look very dangerous as an impeccable 7-1 win at Trafford United saw them move to within eight points of Bedians with two games in hand and a big clash between them coming up soon.
The other game saw North Walkden reserves ready to celebrate in style as they pulled off their first win of the season by 2-1 at Mellor.
The two games played in division two saw the top teams in action and runaway leaders Bollington H and L were taken to the wire by an impressive Richmond Rovers before snatching a lastminute winner with Rovers fully deserving share of the spoils.
Dukinfield Athletic stay in second spot, 11 points behind Bollington, as they cruised to a comfortable 7-1 win at AFC Boarshaw.
Division three leaders J Lingz came back from a rare goalless draw last week and preserved their big nine–point lead but were made to work hard for a 4-2 win by Old Strets reserves with a late flourish from the impressive Jlingz attackers.
Plenty of goals in the other games in the division with Stoconians staying in second place with a 6-1 derby win at Hillgate.
Santos got their shooting boots back on after last week’s blank with a 5-1 win at South Manchester.
First half goals by Reece Holden, Tim Gallagher and Jacob O’donnell put Santos in control at the interval. South Manchester pulled a goal back with a penalty minutes into the second half but two late strikes by Ben Marshall put the result beyond the hosts.
AFC Stockport are well in the mix with plenty of games in hand over the top three and they eased to a 5-2 win over Dom Doyle.
Also in the goals were Badger Casuals with an emphatic 6-1 cruise at Saddleworth 3D.
Mellor reserves stay in top spot in division A and a 4-2 win over Manchester Rovers keeps them four points clear of Altrincham Hale who won 4-1 over Spurley Hey reserves.
Lurking in third spot are Didsbury who grafted hard for a 2-1 with in-form Rochdalians to retain their unbeaten record.
A mid-table derby at Moston Brook thirds saw the home team beat AFC Oldham 3-1 building on a 2-0 interval lead.
It’s hot at the top of division B with just three points separating the top four teams.
AFC Oldham reserves stay on top on goal difference after a comfortable 4-0 win over Milnrow Firgrovia.
But Village Manchester reserves pulled off a fine 5-2 win at AFC Stockport Warriors to overtake them and move level with the leaders