Trophy double for cup kings Mellor
MELLOR added a second major knock out trophy to their season’s collection with a hard-earned victory in the Rhodes Cup final as they scored the only goal of an excellent contest with Whalley Range.
West Didsbury and Chorlton FC provided a fine playing surface and excellent facilities with players having to work hard to overcome a near gale-force cross pitch wind.
Mellor enjoyed the better of the early stages and got their reward with a great finish from Jack Beswick giving them the lead on seven minutes.
Range got more into the game in an even first half and dominated most of the second half but were unable to convert several chances.
Some excellent defending by Mellor, led by blood-stained skipper Paul Swann, proved to be decisive as they picked up the Rhodes Cup for the fourth time in their history to add to the Wray Cup won by their second team a couple of weeks ago.
Premier division action saw Rochdalians virtually sew up the title with a hard-earned 3-1 win at Bedians.
Bedians took an early lead as Julian Patterson outpaced the Rochdalians defence to slot home with clinical accuracy.
Rochdalians then dominated for long periods and missed plenty of chances before two good finishes from David Devlin and Michael Barker took them to a 2-1 interval lead.
The second half saw a virtual siege of the Bedians goal but some dogged defending, good goalkeeping and errant finishing kept Rochdalians at bay before a relieved skipper David Luker hammered home the third to the joy of his team and supporters.
With Whalley Range sharing 12 goals at Moston Brook it means that Rochdalians are six points clear with a massive 30plus goal difference and on the edge of winning the title for first time since 2000.
Mellor moved to within two points of claiming third place after a 2-2 draw at Castleton with Dave Whelan netting twice, and at the other end of the table Newton still have a slim chance of overhauling Old Ashtonians who lost out 2-1 hosting basement team Old Stretfordians.
In division one champions Gorse Hill finished a fine season in style with a 6-3 win at Santos and finish six points clear of Abacus Media.
Eagle made it into third place after a thrilling 5-4 win at Milton and Bury Ams climbed into fourth spot after a 3-1 home win over Moorside Rangers.
Plenty of goals as well at Tintwistle Athletic who shared ten goals with Hooley Bridge Celtic.
In division two the only matter still to be settled is the third spot held by Salford Vics as they finished their season with a 4-0 win over Stoconians.
Mellor seconds need a point from their final game to overtake Vics and the other game played saw Rochdalians seconds beat Spurley Hey 3-2.
Division three champions Deans were beaten 2-1 by Castleton seconds and Staly Lions showed why they deserve the runners-up berth after a 9-2 local derby win at Droylsden JFC.
Parrs Wood Celtic seconds clinched third place with a point earned in a 2-1 draw with Heaton Mersey.
Salford Vics seconds are the champions of division A by 11 points but they were well beaten 4-1 by second-placed Newton seconds in their penultimate game.
The other two games played were closer affairs with Aaron Rodger scoring the only goal of the game for Chorltonians Athletic in their local derby at Burnage Metro seconds and South Manchester seconds had a consolation from Romeo Gray as they lost by the odd goal in three to Bury Ams seconds.
Aldermere are the champions of division B with Salford Vics thirds in the runners-up spot after a 5-0 cruise against Burnage Metro thirds.
The other games produced wins for Milton seconds over Mellor thirds by 3-1 and for Stoconians sends by 5-2 hosting AFC Oldham thirds.
Division C champions Chorltonians Town finished their season in style as David Grantham (four) and Ellis Westwood netted in a 5-2 win over Deans seconds.
Stoconians fourths and Hooley Bridge Celtic thirds drew t 4-4.
Just two games in division D and Moston Brook fourths pulled off their best win of the season with a 6-1 success at Salford Vics fourths and Winton JFC and Stoconians fourths were unable to find the back of the net.