Mellor edged out in five-goal Village epic
THE final programme before the mid-season break was again hard-hit due to waterlogged pitches but there were plenty of exciting games in the seven divisions.
The Premier division saw just two games completed and Sale Amateurs put some recent adverse results behind them with a 5-2 win at Abacus Media.
The hosts led with the only goal of the first half but Sale then stepped up a gear to dominate the rest of the game for a convincing win.
It was much closer in the other game with the only goal scored by North Walkden against in-form Hattersley
The victory for North keeps them in second spot a point less than Moston Brook, who have two games in hand.
There were three top games in division one with the big upset of the day coming for table-toppers Bury Ams as they hosted basement team North Walkden reserves.
North had only enjoyed one victory this season but led 2-0 at the break and kept up the momentum to post an exciting 4-1 win.
There was another thriller at Mellor and Village Manchester closed the gap on the leading pack with a 5-3 win.
Mellor took the lead with a neat finish from Boyd O’Neill but with chances created at both ends it was Village who converted more of their opportunities.
The other game was also close with Trafford United triumphing by the odd goal in five at Salford Albion.
Just one game played in division two and Dukinfield Athletic’s hopes of reducing the big lead on non-playing Bollington H and L were hit as they were held to a ding-dong 4-4 draw by a spirited Spurley Hey who came back from a 3-2 interval deficit to stay a point clear of Salford Vics reserves in third spot.
Division three leaders JLingz were without a game to give their main rivals a catch-up chance.
Stoconians showed their intent with a 3-1 win over Dom Doyle to close the gap to six points.
Joining them, level on points were Santos who came from behind to defeat Badger Casuals by the odd goal in five.
Badger were in control at the interval holding a two goal lead. Santos pulled a goal back from Ben Marshall and Ryan McConkie’s penalty around the hour mark put the sides level.
The game was settled by a late Kian Harewood strike for Santos.
AFC Stockport have plenty of games in hand on the top three and they kept in touch with a gritty 2-1 win over a gutsy Old Stretfordians reserves.
The other match was a basement battle won in emphatic style by Hillgate who lifted themselves off the foot of the table as they posted their second win of the season by 4-1 over South Manchester to overtake them.
In division A leaders Mellor reserves were without a game and Didsbury FC closed the gap and retained one of the few unbeaten records in the league with a comfortable 4-1 win over Bury Ams reserves to move them to within four points of Mellor with three games in hand.
They overtook Signol Athletic who lost a close contest with Trafford United reserves by 2-1.
Manchester Rovers had the same score-line as they won at AFC Oldham.
The other game was a great advert for the L and C between Moston Brook thirds and Altrincham Hale.
Experienced referee John Melia reported: “This was an excellent game played a very good standard by both teams.
“Moston Brook scored twice in the last five minutes to get a deserved draw. A most enjoyable game to referee!!”
It’s tight at the top of division B with leaders AFC Stockport Warriors winning 5-2 at Manchester Saints.
AFC Oldham reserves stay level on points after a hard-earned 2-1 win at Village Manchester reserves.
Village were reduced to ten men just before the break but showed a great fighting spirit in a hectic second half to take AFC Oldham to the wire for their victory.
The other game was also close with Milnrow Firgrovia edging a 3-2 win at Moston Brook fourths.
No games for the top four in division C and Richmond Rovers ending up in seventh heaven in a 7-0 win over Signol Athletic reserves.
Village Manchester thirds won 3-1 at Stoconians reserves and Saddleworth 3D reserves were celebrating long and hard after posting their first win of the season by 2-1 in a nervy thriller with Irlam Steel Development.