Heaton Mersey out of cup with pride intact
IT was back into full action with some top county cup games and plenty of important league games.
Moston Brook are pressing for the Premier division title as well as success in three cup competitions and they raced into the later stages of the Lancashire Amateur Cup with a comfortable 5-0 cruise over Wardle.
Old Stretfordians are making their debut in the Northern Cup and they kept up their hopes of trophy success with a gritty 3-1 win over Poynton reserves.
There were three quarter-final games in the Manchester Amateur Cup and Chadderton Park kept up their impressive run of form with a convincing 3-0 win at De La Salle.
Manchester Village are also enjoying a good season and they made it through to the last four winning their delayed match with Manchester Rovers by 3-0.
The other game at Heaton Mersey saw the home side put on a lively display in an exciting game with Baguley Athletic but lost out 5-3 but they can be proud of their efforts.
With Moston Brook in cup action Hattersley took full advantage to take over top spot in the Premier division with a 3-1 win at Rochdalians moving them three points clear at the top but Brook have a game in hand and a superior goal difference.
Irlam Steel Rangers have plenty of games in hand on the leading pack and a 5-2 win at Milton keeps them firmly in the mix.
The other games saw Abacus Media beat Stretford Paddock 6-2 and Salford Vics had to work hard for a 2-1 win at Didsbury Athletic.
Division one is a very competitive area with plenty of teams in the promotion mix.
Chadderton Park remain as favourites with an unbeaten record and plenty of games in hand but High Lane stay on top after a 3-1 win over Salford Albion with Ben Mrtin and Sam Boswell on target.
They are a point clear of Sale Ams who were too hot for Mellor to handle in an emphatic 7-2 victory.
Bedians kept up their title hopes with their exciting young team winning 4-2 at Stoconians.
The local derby at Bury Ams saw them emerge with a 3-1 win over Elton Lib Hargreaves.
It was close in the other game with Manchester Polonia scoring the only goal at Boarshaw.
There was an upset at the top of division two with leaders Moston Brook reserves dropping their first points of the season at Poynton JFC.
It was an end-to-end thriller well controlled by debutant referee Logan Smith.
Poynton looked to have secured victory as a neat strike form Dylan Clever took them into a late 3-2 lead but Brook snatched a dramatic late equaliser from super sub Joe Ryan.
Trafford United took advantage of Brook’s slip as a hard-earned 3-2 win at Abacus Media reserves saw them draw level at the top although Brook have two games in hand.
Kartel Sports are in third spot with a 5-2 victory at North Walkden reserves but are a massive ten points adrift of the top two.
Salford Vics reserves gave their goal difference a boost with a big 9-0 win over Didsbury.
South Manchester enjoyed their second win of the season as they scored the only goal of their game at Hooley Bridge Celtic.
AFC Oldham were also delighted with a rare 4-2 win at R-Kix FC.
Dukinfield Athletic continued their remorseless path to the division three title but had to work hard for a 3-2 victory at AFC Stockport.
It keeps them ten points clear of local rivals Staly Lions who were pressed all the way by Badger Casuals before winning 3-2.
Santos are in third spot as they defeated Milton Reserves 5-2. The only goal of the first half was scored by Denzel King, Santos’ leading scorer.
Early in second half Milton got an equaliser but strikes from Ben Marshall, Ben Winterbottom and Mike Patterson put Santos firmly in control.
Milton pulled a goal back before a second Marshall goal finished the scoring.
Also on the winning trail were AFC Oldham reserves by 5-3 over Moston Brook thirds, Old Strets reserves by 2-0 over Woodhouses and Spurley Hey 4-1 at Whalley Range.
In division A Milltown maintained their title hopes with a comfortable 4-1 win at Altrincham Hale and their main challengers Hillgate had to work hard for a 6-4 win at Flixton JFC to stay seven points behind Milltown with a game in hand.
AFC Stockport Warriors eased to a 4-0 win over Oldham Saints but it was close in the other games.
Moston Brook fourths put on a stout display with 2-1 win over Milnrow Firgrovia and the consistent Village Manchester reserves beat Staly Lions reserves 2-0.
Division A featured one of the top games of the day between local title rivals Mellor thirds and Signol Athletic.
It was a game admired and enjoyed by referee of the year Pete Darby who praised both teams for their attitude and excellent football with Mellor winning by the odd goal in five to maintain their unbeaten record and move seven points clear at the top of the table.
Another cracking game at Didsbury reserves who put on a gutsy display before losing out 6-5 to Salford Vics Development.
The goal fest continued at Broadheath Central who were too hot to handle by Barrhill Lads in a big 8-2 victory.
Bury Ams thirds had Dale Taylor and Pete Hayes on target in a 5-0 win at Poynton YFC reserves.
Saddleworth 3D reserves put on a great performance hosting Timperley Villa and were level at 1-1 on 64 minutes before Villa took the lead and kept up the momentum to secure a 4-2 win.
AFC Oldham thirds made it a good day for their club with 2-1 win over Village Manchester thirds to complete a great day of action.