Firgrovia lose out by odd goal in five
THE eagerly awaited return to action in the L and C after the festive break was again hit by the recent poor weather which caused many grass pitches to be unfit to play.
There was very limited action, largely on 3G pitches, with some clubs using help from the league to move their venues to get games played
The top game in the Premier division at Salford Sports Village gave Salford Vics to chance to close the gap on long-time leaders Moston Brook who were without a game.
They were hosting lowly Old Stretfordians who gave a spirited display backed by their keeper who made string of brilliant saves to keep them in the game as Vics led 2-1 at the break.
The score stayed the same until the 70th minute when the floodgates opened with Vics netting five times in the last 20 minutes.
The other game in the division was a close contest with impressive new boys AFC Monton winning by the odd goal in five at Abacus Media to stay on the heels of the leading group with a game in hand.
There were two top games in division one with Bedians hitting the front with an impressive 5-1 win over Salford Albion as they moved the game to the Manchester Academy
They overtook promotion rivals Bury Ams who lost a tense game to Trafford
United by the only goal to drop two points behind Bedians who have two games in hand but lurking with plenty of games in hand are Hazel Grove.
The other game in the division had Mellor storming into a 3-0 lead at North Walkden reserves and a more even second half saw Mellor through by 5-2.
The two-horse race in division two saw the top two have comfortable victories with leaders Bollington H and L winning 4-0 at AFC Boarshaw and Dukinfield Athletic went one better with a 5-0 cruise over Abacus Media reserves.
The other game saw Elton Hargreaves move into mid-table comfort with a 3-1 win at Hooley Bridge Celtic.
Just one game played in division three and it provided a shock 3-2 reverse for promotion hopefuls Santos who hosted lowly Old Stretfordians reserves.
Division A was the busiest of the day with four games played and Didsbury FC kept up their proud unbeaten record with a comfortable 4-0 win at Spurley Hey reserves to move to within a point of non-playing leaders Mellor reserves with two games in hand.
Moston Brook thirds stay in third place after a hard-earned 4-3 win at Signol Athletic and Rochdalians kept up their recent good form with a 4-1 win at Altrincham Hale.
Another mid-table tussle saw Manchester Rovers beat AFC Oldham 4-2.
In division B’s top game AFC Stockport Warriors moved three points clear of AFC Oldham reserves with a gritty 3-2 win at Milnrow Firgrovia but AFC Oldham reserves have three game in hand over their title rivals.
Timperley Villa are in third spot after a 4-2 win over Moston Brook fourths and they too have some handy games in hand on the top two.
The other game saw Prestwich Marauders enjoy their second win of the season with 5-3 victory at Manchester Saints who had led 2-1 at the break.
Division C saw the top teams clashing and an end to end thriller was won 4-3 by secondplaced Bury Ams thirds hosting leaders Sublime Athletic.
The win moves Bury to within 11 points of Sublime with four games in hand.
Plenty of goals in the other two games led by Fittonhill All Stars with a 7-3 win over Richmond Rovers reserves and Saddleworth 3D eased home 4-1 over Stoconians reserves.