Milnrow fall to defeat at Broadheath
RECENTLY crowned Premier division champions Moston Brook added another trophy to their season as they retained the NWIL Cup with a close win in the final.
The competition is between the top 16 teams in the L and C and the
LAL and was inaugurated last season with Brook winning the trophy.
This season wins over Accrington Ams 5-2, Trafford United 5-0, Old Blackburnians 2-1 and Roach Dynamos 2-0 took Brook through to the final at Daisy Hill FC against LAL side Winstanley St Aidans.
Moston started the game the brighter of the two teams and deservedly took the lead after twenty minutes when Max Davidson played a ball through to 18 year old Lewis Mcgill who finished calmly with a fine strike.
This stirred Winstanley who came looking for an equaliser but they came up against a very resilient Moston defence who kept their clean sheet to lead 1-0 at the break.
The second half saw both teams working hard to try and dominate the game and it was Moston who secured their second goal when Jack Ward slipped his man down the left hand side of the pitch and played a cross over to the right for Lewis Mcgill to score his and Moston’s second. Winstanley weren’t giving up and with fifteen minutes to go pulled a goal back when one of their players managed to force the ball home in a crowded box.
Winstanley tried to pressurise Moston as they went in search of an equaliser with a number of tasty tackles and forcing a number of late corners but Moston kept control and deservedly won the match 2-1.
The Man of the Match was Lewis Mcgill who two seasons ago as a 16 year old played in the winning Moston 4th XI team in the Helliwell Shield Cup
Final.
There was limited league action but plenty of thrills and spills as league titles were at stake across the divisions.
With the Premier division title already in Moston Brook’s hands Irlam Steel Rangers confirmed the runners-up berth with two wins.
The first was a 2-1 midweek win against AFC Monton and they completed their season in style with a 5-0 derby cruise over Salford Vics.
The other Premier division game ended as a 3-3 deadlock between
AFV Monton and Hatterlsley.
The game of the day was in division one between title contenders Hazel Grove and Bedians which provided plenty of drama between two well matched teams.
Grove needed just a point to clinch top spot but Bedians showed their
intent as their impressive young team took an early lead. Grove missed a penalty to get back on level terms and with chances coming at both ends they drew level with just five minutes left to play after Bedians had missed a spot kick.
But Bedians had the last word after Mike Sherrington took advantage of a defensive error to give Bedians a late winner and set up a dramatic finish to the season in the final games for both teams against Rushford Park.
The other game in the division saw Mellor win 2-1 at Rushford Park.
In division two Bollington H and L have the title in their own hands after a comfortable 6-0 win over Spurley Hey saw them needing to win their final game of the season to claim top spot.
Salford Vics reserves kept in the chase with a gritty 4-3 win over Abacus Media reserves and the other game ended at 3-3 between FC Babylon and Richmond Rovers.
It’s still all to play for in division three as a 4-0
midweek win over Badger Casuals kept Jlingz in top spot by two points from AFC Stockport who had to graft for a 3-2 win at Old Stretfordians.
AFC Stockport can win the title if they win their last two games but it will be a very tense finish for both teams.
It’s still a two-horse race in division A after the top two Didsbury and Mellor reserves drew 2-2 in midweek.
Saturday saw Didsbury again drop points as they drew 3-3 hosting Altrincham Hale.
They stay four points behind Mellor but have two vital games in hand going into the last lap.
The other game in the division was a comfortable 6-1 win for Trafford United reserves at Spurley Hey reserves.
Division B’s top two is decided but there were two entertaining games played.
Prestwich Marauders hosted Moston Brook fourths with new referee Claire Jefferson receiving a L and C referees shirt from Land C’s legend Keith Marsden and then going on to enjoy the tight game won 2-1 by Moston Brook.
The other game at Broadheath Central saw the home team beat Milnrow Firgrovia 3-1.
The division C title is hands of long-time leaders Sublime Athletic if they can win their upcoming game against Bury Ams A who kept in touch with Sublime beating Stoconians reserves 4-0 in midweek.
Stafford Argyle are also in touch as a 5-0 win at Stoconians reserves moving them into second spot.