Grove triumph in Mellor derby
ANOTHER horrible spell of weather prior to the weekend threatened a mass loss of fixtures but a sunny Saturday and some great off-field efforts by clubs enabled a virtually full programme to take place.
The day was dominated by a variety of cup competitions and in the North West Inter League Cup
Salford Vics entertained Hattersley and it was a good entertaining game throughout and very well refereed by Peter Metcalfe.
Vics took the lead on 25 minutes with an excellent strike from Paul Jameson, the game stayed that way until Myles Jevons got two in the last 15 minutes.
Vics now host LAL side Winstanley St Aidans in the quarter finals.
Just one game played in the North East Cheshire Cup and after Dukinfield Athletic had held Govan and UoM FC to a 1-1 draw Govan prevailed 4-3 in the penalty shoot-out.
In the Rhodes Cup for teams in the top two divisions North Walkden hit form with a 6-3 win over Bury Ams and joining them in the next round were division one Bedians with a comfortable 4-1 win at Salford Albion.
Plenty of action in the
Wray Cup with the outstanding result coming from FC Babylon who trailed Dom Doyle 3-0 just after the break.
But Babylon showed great spirit as strikes from Mustalru Baiai, Amer Al Kuuad and Kailem Weadoli drew them level and they snatched a late, breathless winner.
Another entertaining match saw Spurley Hey beat Santos 5-3.
Twice Santos took the lead in the first half through Sam Ryder and Reece Holden, however Spurley twice equalised and took the lead just before the interval.
A Tom Barnes strike restored parity midway through second half before two goals from the visitors took them to victory.
The thrills continued as Abacus Media reserves beat Saddleworth 3D 4-3, JLingz hung on for a 2-1 win at Elton Hargreaves and Badger Casuals beat South Manchester 5-2.
Just one game in the Whitehead Cup and after a close start when strikes from Kieran Chesworth and Tom Carey had Mellor reserves level with Moston Brook thirds but Brook went on to win 6-3.
Plenty of action in the group games for the Hellawell Shield with
Irlam Steel Development the top scorers with a 6-1 cruise against Moston Brook fourths.
Signol Athletic reserves were also in the goals with 5-3 derby win over Stoconians reserves and Bury Ams thirds had a clinical 3-0 win over Village Manchester thirds.
It was closer in the other games with Sublime Athletic winning their derby at Fittonhill All Stars 3-1 and Stafford Argyle edged a 4-3 win over Manchester Saints.
There was limited league action but Premier division leaders
Moston Brook were held 2-2 by Sale Ams to give hope to the chasing pack and Irlam Steel Rangers kept in the mix with a 5-0 win at Old Stretfordians with plenty of games in hand.
The other game was action packed as AFC Monton shared eight goals with Abacus Media.
The top game in division one was a cracking local derby with Hazel Grove hosting Mellor.
Strikes from Charlie Ennis and Alta Dee put Grove in the driving position as they went on to win 4-1 to extend their lead over
Bedians to seven points.
Rushford Park and Trafford United also enjoyed another excellent game sharing the spoils at 3-3 and on a goals-packed day there was a rare goalless draw at Village Manchester as they hosted Moston Brook reserves.
No league games in divisions two and three due to cup action and the only game in division A saw AFC Oldham share six goals with Timperley Villa.
The other league game played was in division B as Broadheath Central won a close encounter with AFC Oldham reserves by 2-1.