LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE LEAGUE

A WELCOME largely dry week saw grass pitches back into full action to stage a big variety of league and cup matches.

There was not much joy in County Cup competitions for L and C teams led by Hattersley’s excellent run in the Cheshire Amateur Cup at Poynton and they took a deserved early lead which they held on to until two quick strikes by the home team gave them the edge and put them though into the later stages with a 3-1 win but Hattersley can be proud of their performances in the competition.

In the North West Inter League Cup Mellor also battled well at Whitworth Valley before going down by the odd goal in five.

It was also close at Manchester Rovers as they hosted Broadheath Central in the Altrincham Senior Cup.

Rovers defended solidly until they were hit by two late goals which saw Broadheath through.

There was also plenty of domestic cup action led by a derby thriller in the Rhodes Cup at Sale Ams who were hosting Trafford United.

It ended locked at 2-2 with Sale winning the penalty shoot out.

In the final group stages of the Wray Cup there was a comfortable win for Elton Hargreaves with a 3-0 score-line against Spurley Hey.

But it was tight in the other two games as Saddleworth 3D from division three hosted division two high fliers Bollington H and L.

3D took the lead on 17 minutes from a Tommy Brown back heel after a goal mouth scramble from a Jamie Pollinger flick on

Two minutes later thay doubled their lead when Charles Worswick smashed home into the roof of the net from a rebound after a blistering free kick from Zack Barton was superbly saved by the Bollington keeper.

Bollington hit back on 34 minutes and made it 2-1 as they capitalised on some indecision in the Saddleworth ranks and finished well.

After 56 minutes 3D made it 3-1 as Zack Barton was played in by a perfect ball from

Harry Beevor; the hard work still to be done, but Zack made it look easy as he passed three players on the edge of the box before sliding the ball into the bottom corner.

After 89 minutes it was3-2 as a long throw-in by Bollington was headed home to make it an interesting six minutes of injury time before 3D secured a great win.

The other close contest saw Richmond Rovers work hard for a 2-1 win over AFC Boarshaw after Liam Dryden had given Richmond an early lead.

In the Whitehead

Cup of sudden death another hot local derby saw Trafford United reserves and Broadheath Central thirds go to a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 deadlock and United kept their nerve to win the shoot-out 4-3.

It was also the final group game in the Hellawell Shield for teams in divisions B and C with Didsbury reserves and Prestwich Marauders sharing the spoils in a 1-1 deadlock.

League action was limited but a vital game at Premier division champions Moston

Brook saw them move a big step further to retaining the title with a crucial 4-1 win over old rivals Irlam Steel Rangers

Rangers took an early lead with a superb strike from Lewis Cartwright before Brook levelled through Matt Wilson to set them on the winning trail.