Abacus spot on for place in cup final
THE Lancashire and Cheshire League resumed eagerlyawaited action after a three-week break but the busy programme was hit by a combination of snow, frost heavy rain and covid infections causing great frustration and many postponements.
Abacus Media hosted Cheshire League Denton Town in their twicepostponed Manchester Challenge Cup semi-final. After a goalless contest Abacus kept their nerve to win a penalty shoot-out 4-3 and can now look forward to the final.
The other outside cup matches played saw Old Stretfordians bow out of the Altrincham and District Cup as they went down 5-1 to Wythenshawe Amateurs Development.
The premier division’s top match was another thriller as Moston Brook hosted De La Salle with both teams looking to close the gap on leaders Stretford Paddock.
Both teams did their clubs proud with their efforts and talent as the game ebbed and flowed for 90 minutes with neither team able to find a vital finish.
But the game, expertly controlled by referee Peter Darby and his assistants, was a great advert for the league with both teams giving everything they could.
Paddock had their lead reduced to four points over De La Salle, who have two games in hand and Moston Brook are also firmly in the mix also with two games in hand.
Rochdalians kept up their recent revival with a close 3-2 win at North Walkden and they were superbly led by club legend Davey Luker.
Salford Vics began 2022 in style with a comfortable 6-0 win at Manchester Polonia and Milton won 4-1 at AFC Oldham.
Just one game played in division one and Chadderton Cott clinchéd the title with a hard-earned 3-2 win over Hadfield Athletic.
Division two was also restricted to one game and Bedians picked up a vital point in their relegation battle as they drew 1-1 in their local derby with Baguley Athletic.
In division three there were two games and Chadderton Park moved to the top of the table on goal difference from AFC Stockport with an emphatic 6-2 victory at Woodhouses.
It was much closer in the other game as a 2-1 win for Village Manchester over Elton Lib Hargreaves moved them up into fourth spot.
Plenty of action in division A with four games played with Woodsend Athletic missing the chance to overtake leaders North Walkden reserves as they shared eight goals in a thriller at Milton reserves.
Just two games played in division B and AFC Oldham thirds reduced the big lead of non-playing Aldermere reserves to 14 points with a 4-2 win at Hillgate.
Dukinfield Athletic also have a big lead in division B and Mellor reserves reduced it to nine points with three games in hand with a big 10-1 win over Deans Youth.