Lane edged in clash of title contenders
THE Match-of-the-Day was the Premier League clash at Torkington Park where title contenders High Lane hosted leaders Rochdalians in what proved to be an enthralling game with just a single goal separating two excellent teams.
The deciding goal came early in the first half when a fine team move by Rochdalians was concluded with a quality finish from Liam Murray.
Both sides had their chances but good defending and excellent goalkeeping at both ends with High Lane’s Brad Heginbotham putting on a superb display to show the quality of his team’s athletes’ diet of chip butties!
Rochdalians are now eight points clear of the chasing pack with their main threat coming from Milton, who won 5-0 at South Manchester and have two games in hand over the leaders.
Whalley Range have been missing chances for fun in recent weeks but they found their shooting boots at Old Stretfordians to go into seventh heaven with a resounding 7-2 win.
Joy also for Old Ashtonians who picked up their first point of the season in a 3-3 thriller at Abacus Media.
In division one Dom Doyle stay four points clear after an efficient 2-0 win over Irlam Tigers.
In joint second spot are in-form Parrs Wood Celtic who kept an immaculate clean sheet in a 3-0 victory over Moston Brook.
They are level with Chorltonians who won their local derby at Didsbury by 3-1.
Bury Ams were also in good form with a 5-2 win over Stoconians.
It’s tight at the top of division two with just a point separating the top three teams.
Leaders Manchester Polonia were held to a 3-3 draw by a determined Bedians and Newton suffered their first defeat of the season.
They went down 4-1 at Whalley Range seconds who moved above them into joint top spot.
Hollingworth walloped Urmston Town 12-2 and there were also wins for South Manchester seconds by 4-3 at Santos and Mellor seconds by 3-1 in their local derby with Spurley Hey.
Division three leaders Signol Athletic had to work hard for a 5-3 win over Abacus Media seconds and they stay two points clear of Dukinfield Athletic who were too hot to handle in a big 11-4 win over Heaton Mersey.
Chadderton Park stay level on points with Dukinfield with a 5-3 derby win at Milton seconds.
Radclyffe FC have plenty of games in hand on the leading group and they won 3-2 at Stoconians seconds despite being reduced to ten men before the break.
Village Manchester and Salford Vics seconds shared four goals with Keith Jones and Rob Payne netting for Vics .
No change at the top of division A as the top three teams all posted convincing wins.
Leaders Elton Lib Hargreaves won 4-3 at Chorltonians Villa with Nathan Gabriel providing both of the Villa’s consolations.
Unicorn Athletic moved into mid-table with a 4-1 win at Spurley Hey seconds and in a low tempo game Unicorn took the spoils with goals from Tom Aldred, a great free kick from Callum Blades, Jonny Redgrave and a cool volley from Alex Coe.
In division B Parrs Wood Celtic seconds stay top on goal difference after a big 6-3 win at Moston Brook thirds and Chadderton Cotts seconds stay level after beating Didsbury seconds 3-1.
Keeping up the chase on the top two are Old Stretfordians seconds with a 5-2 win at Stoconians thirds, Hooley Bridge Celtic seconds with a close 2-1 win at AFC Oldham thirds and AFC Stockport who beat Staly Lions 5-2.
A tight contest at Hillgate saw the home team score the only goal of their game with Bury Ams seconds.
Division C leaders Deans were in action in the Manchester Amateur Cup where they suffered a big 10-3 defeat at AFC Middleton.
Second-placed Govan Athletic missed the chance to draw level with Deans as they lost 4-3 to Chorltonians Albion who had Kurtis Wallace(two), Andy Lawson and Oscar Lynch providing the firepower. Chadderton Park seconds stay in touch with a 9-2 demolition of Stoconians fourths.