Firgrovia game abandoned as conditions dip
THE poor weather the L and C has endured for the last few weeks again took a vicious bite out of a busy programme of County Cup and league fixtures with grass pitches again being a virtual no-go area.
Lancashire Amateur Cup action saw two top L and C teams progress into the last 16.
Both Premier division leaders Moston Brook and impressive newcomers AFC Monton went through with comfortable 3-0 wins.
Brook eased through hosting Rossendale reserves and Monton saw off Mill Hill (Blackburn) reserves.
All of the Premier division fixtures fell victim to the weather.
There was a top game in division one as the excellent grass surface at Bedians allowed a ding dong game to go ahead with no problems.
Leaders Bedians took on outstanding newcomers Hazel Grove who are unbeaten this season and poised with game in hand to overtake the top two.
It was close and end to end in the first half with Grove leading through a neat finish from Ben Brooks.
Grove dominated the second half with some strong and positive football and extended their lead with a Niall Brooks spot kick and a clinical finish from Layton Smith.
They made it 4-0 before Bedians got a deserved consolation with a penalty.
Bury Ams took advantage of the Bedians defeat with a hard-fought 2-0 win at Mellor moving them a point ahead of Bedians with a game in hand.
But Grove are current favourites for top spot with three games in hand on Bury as they lurk three points behind them
The other game was a goal fest at Moston Brook Reserves who entertained Rushford Park.
Both teams needed a long rest after the game with Brook ending up with a 7-5 win after the teams were level at the interval on 3-3.
There were three well contested games in division two as the chasing pack looked to close the gap on non-playing top pair Bollington H and L and Dukinfield Athletic whose eagerly awaited fixture was postponed.
Salford Vics reserves took on Elton Hargreaves and strikes from Clayton Gorman, Ken Jackson and an own goal gave a Vics a 3-0 half-time lead.
Elton pulled a goal back from a 55 yard throw in after 70 minutes it was then one way traffic with Elton pushing to get back into the game but were denied by some solid Vics defending.
The game was well refereed by Jet 2 pilot James Keeley despite the efforts of two older and distinguished gents on the line!
The other two games went to the wire with Abacus Media reserves hanging on for a 5-4 win in their local derby with Hooley Bridge Celtic and AFC Boarshaw lost out by the odd goal in five hosting FC Babylon.
Just two games in division three but again plenty of thrills and spills on offer.
Hillgate were able to celebrate in style as they picked up their first points of the season with an action-packed 7-5 win at Dom Doyle.
Badger Casuals prevented AFC Stockport closing the gap on the leaders as they ended with a 2-2 deadlock.
Division A featured a top local derby between leaders Mellor reserves and Signol Athletic.
Signol made a bright start to lead 2-0 but Mellor showed why they are top of the table as club legend Dave Whelan rose like a salmon to reduce the arrears with a classic header and this was quickly followed by a great finish from Matt Allison to have it level at the break.
The game ebbed and flowed in a terrific second half but Signal had the last word as they scored the only goal to move five points behind Mellor with two vital games in hand.
The other game was a mid-table tussle with Bury Ams reserves beating AFC Oldham 3-1.
In division B two games started but the game at Milnrow Firgrovia against Timperley Villa was abandoned as playing conditions deteriorated.
The other game saw AFC Stockport Warriors move level on 24 points with AFC Oldham reserves and Village Manchester reserves as they were too hot for Manchester Saints to handle in a 7-1 cruise.
Two games were played in division C and runaway leaders Sublime Athletic lost their first game of the season losing 1-0 at Village Manchester thirds.
Sublime still have a very healthy 13 point lead over Stafford Argyle who had three games in hand.
Fittonhill All Stars moved up to fourth spot with a lively 5-3 win at Signol Athletic reserves to complete the day with players and officials looking for better weather in the coming week to get games played before the mid-season break.