AFC hit Stocs for six in Wray Cup triumph
AN improvement in the recent wet weather brought some grass pitches back into action to allow a busy day in a variety of cup competitions and important league games.
The top cup competition for the North West Inter league Cup between the top teams in the L and C and Lancashire Amateur League saw some big games with Land C leaders and NWIL Cup holders taking on Old Blackburnians, the current leaders in the LAL.
Brook took an early lead with a stunning free kick and after that there was little between the teams with Brook winning 2-1.
It was also close at Salford Vics as they hosted Winstanley St Aidans with the visitors edging a 3-2 win.
The other game saw Abacus Media beaten 4-1 at Roach Dynamos.
There were also two games in the Rhodes Cup with Sale Amateurs enjoying a good second half, beating North Walkden reserves 4-1 after goalless first half.
The other tie was a real thriller as Bedians hosted Mellor and an end-to-end match ended locked at 3-3 with Bedians going on to with the penalty shoot out 4-3.
The Wray Cup is still in group stages and there were plenty of goals led by Babylon FC beating South Manchester 7-2 with South putting in plenty of effort but lacked Babylon’s clinical finish.
AFC Stockport were also on form with a 6-1 derby win over Stoconians.
It was close at Spurley Hey who took high-flying JLingz to the wire of a 3-2 win.
There were also two games in the Whitehead Cup, which is a straight knock out and progressing into the next round were AFC Stockport Warriors by 2-0 over Moston Brook thirds and Timperley Villa 4-1 over Spurley Hey reserves.
The outstanding result came from Village Manchester reserves with an epic 5-4 victory at AFC Oldham.
The final cup action came in group games for the Hellawell Shield.
Barrhill and Saddleworth 3D reserves shared six goals and Milnrow Firgrovia edged a 3-2 win at Richmond Rovers reserves.
There were few problems for Bury Ams A with a comfortable 6-1 win over Stoconians reserves.
There was limited league action with no games in the top two divisions but in division two the top two teams had a great match with Dukinfield Athletic winning 4-3 at leaders Bollington H and L to go three points clear at the top but Bollington have three vital games in hand.
Just one game in division three and it was a cracker at Hillgate which saw old Stretfordians reserves emerge with a breathless 4-3 victory.
In division A Rochdalians kept up their run of hot form as they demolished Bury Ams reserves 7-2.
The game between the top two saw Mellor reserves end Didsbury FC’s proud unbeaten record with a 4-2 win to take over at the top of the table by two points but Didsbury have two games in hand.
Just one game in division B and Manchester Saints kept up their improved form and earned a valuable point as they shared four goals with Moston Brook fourths.
Two games in division C and runaway leaders Sublime Athletic suffered a rare defeat losing out 3-2 to Irlam Steel Development but they still have a massive 11-point lead over Bury Ams A who are still in the frame with four games in hand
Stafford Argyle and Village Manchester thirds also had a close encounter with Argyle winning 2-1.