High Lane close the gap on Rochdalians
AMIXTURE of county cup and league fixtures saw Rochdalians produce the result of the day as they marched into the next round of the Lancashire Amateur Cup with a fine 5-3 win at Anderton FC.
Milton bowed out but gave a good account of themselves before losing out 2-1 at Prestwich.
Also exiting from the competition were Hooley Bridge Celtic who lost out 3-1 in their local derby with Rochdale St Clements.
Plenty of action in the Manchester Amateur Cup with a win for Irlam Tigers who won a tense penalty shoot out by 6-5 after a goalless draw with a valiant Salford Vics seconds and they are joined in the next round by their second team who beat Brownley Albion 2-1.
Going out were Oldham Vics by 6-1 to Manchester North End, Village Manchester by 4-1 at Moorside Rangers seconds, Chadderton Park in a tight 4-3 defeat by Manchester Medics, Unicorn Athletic walloped 7-0 by Baguley Athletic, Trafford United seconds by 4-0 at North Walkden and Old Stretfordians seconds by 4-1 in a penalty shoot out after drawing 2-2 with Newton Heath Locos.
With Premier division leaders Rochdalians in cup action it gave the chasing pack a chance to close the gap and a thriller at High Lane saw the home team emerge with a breathless 4-3 win over Abacus Media to move to within five points of the runaway leaders.
Waterloo are also in the hunt and they kept Old Ashtonians pointless with an emphatic 8-1 victory.
Mellor took a step towards mid-table with a 3-1 win over Salford Vics.
Whalley Range and South Manchester ended with honours even in their local derby.
Range had the bulk of possession but were unable to convert it into goals as Marc Critchley put South ahead.
Lenny Kinsella brought Range level from close range after a South defensive error but South hit back on the break to restore their lead through Rob Anderson.
Range had the last word as they rescued a point with a late penalty from Dalton McKenzie.
The other game in the division also saw the points shared as the local derby at Trafford United saw them level at 3-3 in an excellent game with Old Stretfordians.
The top team in division one were also held in check as Dom Doyle drew 2-2 hosting AFC Oldham.
Moston Brook moved into second place with a 5-3 win over Stoconians and they are two points clear of Chorltonians who were comfortable 5-2 winners over Bury Ams and non-playing Parrs Wood Celtic.
It is neck and neck in division two with Manchester Polonia, enjoying life for the first time in this division, cruising to a 3-0 win at Santos to go ahead of unbeaten Newton who destroyed Urmston Town 8-1 but Newton have a vital game in hand over the leaders.
Whalley Range seconds kept in the frame with a 2-0 win over Bedians and were indebted to a stunning save from their keeper to keep the game goalless at the break before scoring twice in the second half.
South Manchester seconds worked hard for a 3-1 win at Rochdalians seconds and another close affair saw Hollingworth share six goals with Mellor seconds.
Signol Athletic stay two points clear in division three with a 4-2 derby win at Heaton Mersey and Dukinfield Athletic moved level on points with Chadderton Park, who were in cup action, with an emphatic 6-0 win over Mellor thirds.
Radclyffe showed their title potential with a 10-0 romp at Milton seconds but there was little between Abacus Media seconds and Aldermere who drew 2-2.
The top two teams in division A kept up their momentum as Elton Lib Hargreaves beat Dukinfield Athletic seconds 3-1 and Rochdale Galaxy were too hot to handle in a 6-1 win over AFC Oldham seconds.
Moston Brook seconds stayed in touch with the top teams with a 2-0 win over Spurley Hey seconds and Signol Athletic seconds accounted for Flixton 4-2.
Two teams are dominating division B and leaders Parrs Wood Celtic seconds stay on top on goal difference after a 7-1 trouncing of Hillgate with Chadderton Cott keeping pace with a comfortable 3-0 win at Bury Ams seconds.
It was close for Stoconians thirds as they scored the only goal of their game against thirds.
No problems for AFC Stockport in a 5-1 win over Moston Brook thirds or Hooley Bridge Celtic’s bright young second team who were set on their way with a neat strike from Matt Brooks in a 6-1 triumph at Chorltonians Athletic.
Staly Lions were also in the goals with a 5-2 win at Didsbury seconds.
Division C leaders Deans had to work hard for a 1-0 win at Bury Ams thirds to stay three points clear of Govan Athletic who accounted for Hollingworth seconds 4-1.
Old Strets thirds dropped off the pace as they went down 2-0 to Moston Brook fourths.
They stay a point clear of Chadderton Park seconds who won 5-2 at Whaley Range seconds who had Ryan Lyle scoring one of their consolation goals.
Chorltonians Albion are still looking for their first point as they lost by the odd goal in five at Stoconians fourths. AFC Oldham