Change at the top after Whalley win
ACTION resumed in the second half of the L and C season with virtually a full programme of league games and just one delayed cup tie.
The cup match was in the Whitehead Cup and Elton Lib Hargreaves showed why they are flying high at the top of division A as they enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 win at division B high-fliers Parrs Wood Celtic seconds.
The win takes them through to the last eight where they await the winners of the tie between Rochdale Galaxy and Chadderton Cott seconds.
The top game of the day was at Whalley Range where the home team took on long-time Premier division leaders Rochdalians.
In a game of excellent quality the first half ended locked at 0-0 as both sides missed chances.
Then Range struck twice in five minutes with Danny Heffernan bagging a brace to put his team in charge.
But Rochdalians showed their battling qualities as a close-range header from Scott Hopley reduced the arrears.
Range restored their two-goal advantage with a clinical finish from Tim Kinsella and although Rochdalians again hit the target with another header from Adam Sweeney Range held on to go ahead of Rochdalians by two points. Rochdalians still have the title in their own hands as they have three games in hand of their rivals.
The recent good run of Salford Vics was ended when they lost out to Manchester Challenge Cup finalists Abacus Media by the odd goal in five. Waterloo took advantage of the Vics defeat to overtake them with a 3-1 win at Trafford United and a 3-1 win by Mellor saw them move into the chasing pack.
South Manchester are also in the mix after a comfortable 8-3 win at Old Ashtonians.
The top teams in division one kept their status as they all enjoyed big wins.
Leaders Dom Doyle disposed of Oldham Vics 7-2 but Parrs Wood Celtic kept in touch as they too kept up their hot run with a 6-1 derby win at Didsbury.
Celtic made an early show of their intent with strikes from Charlie McDonald, Aaron Minshull and Pat Davin in the first 25 minutes to have them firmly in control.
Irlam Tigers were also hot in a 5-1 win over Moston Brook and Chorltonians were emphatic 8-1 victors at Stoconians.
The other game in the division was a much more even affair as Swinton and AFC Oldham shared six goals.
It’s tight at the top of division two with just two points separating the top three teams.
Manchester Polonia still rule the roost after a hard-earned 2-1 win at Urmston Town but only on goal difference from Newton who enjoyed a comfortable 4-1 win at Spurley Hey.
It was also close in the other games with Bedians winning 2-1 at Santos and Rochdalians seconds beat Mellor seconds 4-2.
The local derby at South Manchester seconds saw them share six goals with Chorltonians seconds with Josh Harper, Nathan Cox and Callum Clowes on target for South.
Dukinfield Athletic maintained their fivepoint lead at the top of division three as they went nap with a 5-0 victory over Aldermere.
Stoconians seconds stay in touch with a 2-0 win at Mellor seconds but Signol Athletic lost ground as they went down 5-2 hosting Salford Vics seconds.
Radclyffe have plenty of games in hand on the leading teams and a 2-0 win at Abacus Media seconds sees them firmly in the title hunt.
Mellor thirds beat Chadderton Park 3-1 and the basement battle at Heaton Mersey ended with honours even in a 2-2 deadlock with Village Manchester.
With division A’s runaway leaders Elton Lib Hargreaves in cup action it gave their title rivals a chance to close them down and Moston Brook seconds reduced the points deficit to eight with an efficient3-1 win at Flixton.
AFC Oldham seconds dented the hopes of Rochdale Galaxy with an exciting 5-3 win.
Signol Athletic’s young second team were in good form with a 5-0 win at Chorltonians Villa.
In freezing conditions on a tricky pitch Unicorn got 2019 off to a flyer with their biggest win of the season.
The centre halves Ashley Jones and Sam Storey both notched with identikit headers from corners and then both keepers pulled off great saves to keep the half time score at 2-0.
With temperatures on the pitch warming up Ramone Williams coolly tapped in the third after another good save from the Dukinfield stopper.
Dukinfield’s striker was on hand to reduce the arrears after a few richochets in the box before James Steadman rammed the ball into the roof of the net to steady Unicorn’s nerves.
Sam Storey smashed in a goal of the season contender from 35 yards after winning the ball on the half way line.
Ben McKie capped off a great team move with another cracker from the edge of the box to end a good day for Unicorn.
The battle for the top spot in division B continues at a hot pace with two teams, level on points, setting the pace.
Chadderton Cott seconds are top dogs and improved their goal difference with a big 10-2 win over Moston Brook thirds but AFC Stockport were also in good form winning 4-2 at Hooley Bridge Celtic seconds and have two vital games in hand over their title rivals.
Old Stretfordians seconds slipped off top spot after a shock 2-1 defeat at Hillgate and are now two points adrift of the top two.
Bury Ams seconds were in seventh heaven after a clinical 7-0 defeat of Staly Lions and the other game saw AFC Oldham thirds despatch Chorltonians Athletic 4-2.
In division D it was 10/10 for unstoppable leaders Deans who had to work hard for a 2-0 win at a determined Chadderton Park seconds.
The victory keeps Deans six points clear of Old Strets thirds who were 5-2 winners at Govan Athletic.
Hollingworth seconds moved above Govan into third spot after a 7-0 win over Stoconians fourths.