Mellor’s narrow win hits Lane’s title bid
IT was back to a virtually full programme involving league, domestic and outside cup competitions with loads of goals and plenty of drama.
Stars of the day were Old Stretfordians hosting Liverpool team Martyrs FC in the Northern Cup.
It was dingdong all the way with the visitors leading 2-1 at break and quickly extending this to 3-1.
Strets had created plenty of chances during the game then they went on fire to scorch to a fantastic 6-4 win to move into the next round.
Village Manchester are enjoying a great season and were delighted to make the Manchester Amateur Cup final where they took on reigning cup holders AFC Middleton at Hyde United.
The game could have gone either way with Village playing some excellent football but Middleton retained the trophy with a 3-1 victory.
Village can be very proud of their cup run which brought them and the league great credit.
Domestic cup action featured two Rhodes Cup tie and division one Bedians pulled off the big shock with a 2-1 win at Premier division high-fliers Shaw Athletic to reach the last four.
Joining them are Rochdalians with a close 3-2 derby win over Milton.
In the Wray Cup, for teams in divisions two and three, Hooley Bridge Celtic won a thriller by 3-2 against division three leaders Dukinfield Athletic.
The final cup clash was in the Whitehead Cup for teams in divisions A and B and Flixton JFC made it through to the final with a hard-earned 2-1 win over Milnrow Firgrovia.
Plenty of top games in the Premier division affecting the title race with leaders Hattersley losing ground as they were shared six goals with Salford Vics.
Moston Brook are now the title favourites after a comfortable 7-1 win over a deleted Abacus Media moved them a point behind Hattersley with two games in hand.
Irlam Steel have plenty of games in had but lost out 4-1 in their local derby at North Walkden to diminish their hopes of catching the leaders.
With division one leaders Sale Ams and Bedians out of league action Chadderton Park recovered from some recent upsets with a 4-1 win at Salford Albion seeing them as title favourites with games in hand.
High Lane’s title hopes were hit as they lost to the only goal in their game with Mellor and the other game produced a convincing 5-1 win for Boarshaw at Elton Lib Hargreaves.
The top game in division two saw the top two share six goals with leaders Moston Brook reserves staying six points clear of Trafford United with a game in hand.
R-Kix FC stay in a distant third spot after an efficient 2-0 win over South Manchester.
Abacus Media reserves enjoyed a 5-0 win hosting Kartel and Didsbury and North Walkden were locked at 2-2.
With division three leaders Dukinfield Athletic in cup action it gave their rivals a chance to cut down their lead and they did so in style.
Local rivals Staly Lions showed their intent with a big 8-1 win over AFC Oldham reserves.
They stay a point clear of Santos who hosted Badger Casuals. What a game this was!, An enjoyable game played in good spirit by both teams.
Santos beat Badger Casuals 5-4 in a thrilling end to the match.
A first minute goal by Badger was cancelled after 10 minutes by Reece Holden.
After 40 minutes Badger retook the lead and extended it minutes after.
There was just enough time for an Andrew Wade strike to reduce the lead. Ryan McConkie equalised at the beginning of the half.
After 87 minutes Badger scored but parity was restored by McConkie’s thundering strike before Tom Barnes hit the winner in the last minute.
Badger then hit the post with virtually the last kick of the match.
Plenty of goals also at Bury Ams reserves who lost out 8-4 to AFC Stockport and Saddleworth 3D who beat Milton 8-2.
Old Strets reserves were not far behind in their match with Moston Brook thirds who had taken an early lead.
Strikes from Sean Kelly and Sean O’Connor took Strets 3-1 ahead and they kept up their momentum to win 7-3.
The other games saw Heaton Mersey beat
Woodhouses 3-2 and Spurley Hey eased to a 4-1 win over Whalley Range
The top two in division A look untouchable as leaders Milltown beat Stockport Warriors 10-1 and Hillgate cruised to a big 8-0 win over Oldham Saints.
It was much closer in the other games with Moston Brook fourths sharing four goals with Spurley Hey reserves and Altrincham Hale scored the only goal of their game at Village Manchester reserves.
It’s still very much a two-horse race in division B with Mellor thirds still in charge after beating Bury Ams thirds 4-2 and second placed Signol Athletic were impressive in a comfortable 8-3 win over AFC Oldham thirds.
There was a pleasing 5-3 win for Stoconians reserves against Poynton JFC Development and Salford Vics Development also enjoyed a 5-2 victory over a gutsy Didsbury reserves.
Timperley Valla shared the spoils after drawing 2-2 with Manchester Village thirds and another close encounter saw Barrhill Lads score the only goal of their game at Saddleworth 3D reserves.