Lane’s hopes of title hit by Bury defeat
THE L and C enjoyed a full fixture list with plenty of the games affecting positions at the top of the divisions.
Village Manchester did their club and the league proud by reaching the final of the Manchester Amateur Cup.
They took on fellow division one high-fliers Chadderton Park and ended their long unbeaten run with a 3-1 win and now face reigning cup holders AFC Middleton in the final.
The only Cup tie in the Lancashire Amateur Cup saw Moston Brook being very frustrated by their game at Preston Wanderers being called off due to caravans on the pitch.
Their absence from league action saw nonplaying Hattersley stay three points clear of Brook who have a game in hand and a superior goal difference in the Premier division.
Brook were joined on 30 points by Shaw Athletic who eased to an efficient 3-0 win at Stretford Paddock.
Irlam Steel Rangers, with plenty of games in hand can still join the race as they worked hard for a local derby win by 3-2 hosting Salford Vics.
Old Stretfordians kept up their good run of form with an exciting 4-3 win at Rochdalians and Milton were too hot for Didsbury Athletic to hand as early goals from Tobi Isabalajobi
and Lewis Neal set them on the way to a big 8-0 win.
The other game ended in a 2-2 deadlock between Abacus Media and North Walkden.
With Chadderton Park and Village Manchester in cup action the race for the division one top spot hotted up with long-time leaders High Lane losing out to Bury Ams with the only goal scored as the Bury keeper had a blinder in keeping a clean sheet.
Sale Ams lead the race after a tense 3-2 win at lowly and gutsy Stoconians and Bedians are a point behind after a comfortable4-0 win at Elton Lib Hargreaves.
After a goalless first half at Mellor the home team came alive after the break to secure a 4-2 victory over Boarshaw.
It was close between Salford Albion and Manchester Polin1 with Polonia winning a 4-3 thriller.
In division two Moston Brook reserves continue to dominate after a 5-2 win over Abacus Media reserves keeps them six points clear with an unbeaten record.
Trafford United are also out on their own in second place with an efficient 4-0 win at North Walkden reserves.
Kartel Sports lost ground on Trafford as they went down 4-2 hosting Salford Vics reserves.
South Manchester were delighted to move off the foot of the table as they came from behind to secure a 5-3 victory over
AFC Oldham.
The other game was a close contest with Aldermere edging a 2-1 win over Poynton JFC.
Dukinfield Athletic continued their remorseless chase of the division three title as they stay ten points clear with a gritty 2-0 win over a hard-working Whalley Range.
Local rivals Staly Lions stay second but were taken all the way before winning 4-3 at Mellor reserves.
Santos won at Bury Amateur Reserves by the odd goal in three to stay in third spot.
Santos scored the only goal of the first half by Anthony Duffy.
A second was scored by Mike Patterson, while Bury’s consolation came in the last couple of minutes.
Saddleworth 3D are in good form and they kept up their momentum beating Badger Casuals 4-2 and AFC Stockport were also in good form with a 4-1 win at AFC Oldham reserves.
This score was matched by Woodhouses JFC at Milton reserves.
It was close in the other games with Spurley Hey winning their local derby at Heaton Mersey by 2-1 and Moston Brook thirds shared four goals with Old Strets reserves.
In division A leaders Milltown crushed thirdplaced Altrincham Hale 11-3 and Hillgate FC kept in touch with a 4-1 win over Milnrow Firgrovia.
Trafford United reserves were impressive in a 4-0 win at Staly Lions reserves and Flixton JFC enjoyed a 6-3 win over Oldham Saints.
The other two games in the division ended at 2-1 in favour of Manchester Rovers over Moston Brook fourths and AFC Stockport Warriors at Spurley Hey reserves.
Division B leaders Mellor thirds were without a game and second-placed Signol Athletic took advantage with a 10-1 win at Saddleworth 3D reserves to improve their goal difference to an impressive 81 and close the gap on Mellor to four points.
Timperley Villa also found their shooting boots winning 8-1 at Village Manchester thirds and AFC Oldham thirds beat Didsbury reserves 5-3.
Much closer in the other games with Salford Vics Development beating Poynton JFC Development 2-1, Barrhill Lads winning 2-0 hosting Stoconians reserves and Bury Ams thirds shared four goals with Broadheath Central.