Mellor’s rivals take advantage
THE league fixture secretary Mal Kershaw was smiling all the way to his pc after good weather saw a full fixture list keep him on schedule for a comfortable last lap in the season.
There was also joy for Tintwistle Athletic as they reached final of the Derbyshire CFA Divisional Cup (North) final with a thrilling 2-win over Dronfield Town seconds to book a final slot against Matlock Town seconds.
With Mellor having a blank day Whalley Range took full advantage to extend their lead at the top of the Premier division to seven points with a dramatic 4-3 win at Old Trafford and Gorse Hill.
OT put up great resistance but strikes from Tim Kinsella, Louie Scott, Callum Scarry and evergreen John Murphy took Range across the line.
Parrs Wood Celtic moved into third place after a comfortable 4-1 win at Bedians who dropped into the relegation zone as Newton had few problems in accounting for Moston Brook 8-1.
Old Ashtonians were good value for a point at South Manchester in an excellent game that ended at 1-1.
Netting for Ashtonians before the break was Lee Webb with South drawing level courtesy of a spot kick from Kane Berkeley after 60 minutes.
There was another close encounter at Abacus Media with on-form visitors High Lane winning by the odd goal in seven.
It is still very much a two-horse race for the division one title with the top two both posting contrasting victories.
Leaders Signol Athletic were in a local derby with Stoconians who took an early lead in an even first half.
A powerful strike from Scott Norris drew Signol level and a fine run and finish from Jack Stringer saw them lead into the break of an even first half.
Stocs pressed hard early in the second half with a changed formation but were rocked on their heels as Scott Norris, with a fine turn and shot into the top corner and Jack Stringer with his second put Signol in control.
Norris completed his hat-trick from a free kick and Signol sealed the win with a sixth from Sean Manyonder who with his pace stole the ball off the Stocs full-back to fire into the bottom corner.
This was an entertaining contest with the referee Phil Wheeldon having an excellent game.
In division two, Mellor seconds, with games in hand on leaders Waterloo, present the main threat after an efficient 2-0 win over Hooley Bridge Celtic.
South Manchester seconds are enjoying a good run of form and they kept up their momentum with a 3-1 win at Spurley Hey as Mark Chadwick, Olayinka Oshodi and Sam Okosun netted.
In division three Manchester Polonia moved away from the relegation zone with a 2-1 win at Heaton Mersey and Rochdalians seconds hade few problems in accounting for Newton Heath seconds by 6-1.
Division A Mellor thirds stay in the title frame with a 6-1 win over Hargreaves Bury and Tintwistle Athletic seconds won 6-3 at AFC Oldham seconds.
The other game in the division was a tight local derby won 2-1 by Stoconians seconds avenging the defeat of their first team by Signol Athletic.
Abacus Media seconds are unstoppable at the top of division B and they increased their lead to 15 points with a 5-0 win at Hillgate.
Abacus set the tone with a goal on three minutes when Anthony O’Rourke took advantage of sleepy defending for the only goal of the first half.
Nick Sullivan then took Abacus clear with a penalty and a neat header with victory sealed with late goals from Holden and Stockdale.
The clash between the top two in division C saw second-placed Salford Vics thirds move to within a point of Spurley Hey seconds after crushing them 8-2.
AFC Stockport also drew 2-2 with Abacus Media thirds and the points were shared in a 3-3 deadlock between Manchester Rovers and Parrs Wood Celtic thirds.
The Wray Cup saw two delayed ties completed as Whalley Range seconds won 6-5 at Cheadle Hulme Athletic with Nick Doyle (three), Owen Trainer (two) and Chris Marsden netting.