Mellor pushing for third place
THE Premier division title is still in the balance and in the hands of Lancashire FA after the game between the top two at Rochdalians was abandoned after 30 minutes.
Three Whalley Range players had received red cards when referee Danny Roberts decided to call a halt to proceedings.
Rhodes Cup finalists Mellor increased their chances of overtaking South Manchester for third place after goals from John Cook and Bruce Clarke took them to a 2-1 win at Chorltonians.
A key game at the foot of the table saw Old Ashtonians take a big step in avoiding the drop as they beat Newton 4-2 in their local derby to move five points clear of their rivals needing a point from their last two games to secure their status.
Parrs Wood Celtic continued their solid finish to the season with a 3-1 win over Old Stretfordians.
In Division One, Gorse Hill and Abacus Media guaranteed their top two spots with comfortable victories as Hill won 4-1 at Burnage Metro and Abacus were in seventh heaven after winning their local derby by 7-0 at Hooley Bridge Celtic.
The other two games also produced plenty of goals with Milton beating Govan Athletic 5-1 and Eagle FC won 7-2 at Moorside Rangers.
The dramatic title race in Division Two was decided on goal difference as High Lane and Whalley Range seconds went into their final games with identical records.
Lane won 8-1 at doomed Stoconians and although Range won their local derby against Chorltonians seconds by 6-1, Wayne Piper scoring the Chorlts consolation, it was not enough to stop Lane securing top spot.
Mellor seconds look set to winning third place after a 4-0 win over Rochdalians seconds and Spur- ley Hey were 2-1 victors at Old Strets seconds.
Division three champions Deans FC had to work hard for a 3-2 win over Moston Brook seconds.
Just two games in division A saw Old Strets thirds’ hopes of taking second spot take a hit as they went down 3-2 to third-placed Newton seconds who need two points from their last two games to finish as runners-up.
The other game saw Bury Ams seconds beat Chorltonians Athletic 2-1 with Simon Roome netting for Chorlts.
There was no change in division B as non-playing Salford Vics seconds still need to win their last two games to overtake leaders Aldermere for the title.
The three games played in the division were close affairs with Abacus Media seconds beating Burnage Metro thirds 2-1 a score matched by Tintwistle Athletic seconds at FC Bury Town seconds and Bedians seconds shared six goals with Milton seconds.
Burnage Metro FC fourth team, who play in division C, won the Lancashire and Cheshire AFL’s Hellawell Shield for the third time in their history in a dramatic game against Bury Ams played at Maine Road AFC in Chorlton.
The Shield has been played for since 1921 and since 1983 has been contested by fourth teams and below in the L and C.
The Burnage team contained several sons of former top players with the club and they set a terrific early pace only being denied by the woodwork and some great Bury defending.
The second half was much more even but neither side was able to find the back of the net taking the game into extra time.
The dreaded penalty shoot out looked to be inevitable until with just five minutes left the play Mike Eastham ( son of Metro legend George) finally broke the deadlock with a powerful header range.
Both teams produced a very good standard of play at this level and did themselves and their clubs great credit as they enjoyed an excellent surface at Maine Road.
The Burnage team recovered well to win their league game with Stoconians thirds by 4-3.
Chorltonians Town were also celebrating hard and long as they clinched the division C title with an emphatic 5-0 win over main rivals Bury Ams thirds.
On target for Town were Chris Murrey (three), James Green and Cameron Clarke.
Tintwistle Athletic thirds put on the champion’s style in division D as they clinched to top spot with a 7-1 win over Bedians thirds and Winton JFC continued their climb up the table with a 3-2 win over Mellor fourths.
Stoconians fourths were good value for a 4-0 win at Salford Vics fourths.
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