Eaton’s hat-trick fires AFC to Hillgate win
WATERLOGGED pitches again reduced the playing programme but several important cup games were able to take place.
The North West Inter League Cup involving the top teams in the L and C and old rival the LAL saw Moston Brook win the competition in its inaugural year in 2023.
They made it through to this year’s final as they beat Roach Dynamos from the LAL in a close semi-final contest.
Solid defending saw Brook keep an immaculate clean sheet and clinical finishing brought them two goals and they now await LAL opponents in the final.
In the North East Cheshire Cup Bollington found Poynton too hot to handle as they lost 5-0.
In the Northern Cup Bedians also went out but put up a great fight before losing out 3-2 at Pilkington U23s.
There was plenty of domestic cup action with the final group stages of the Wray Cup for teams in divisions one and two.
The top tie saw Salford Vics reserves travel to play
Jlingz, in what was a great game on a heavy pitch.
Jlingz took the lead after a goalkeeping error just before half time then made it 2-0 early in the second half.
They then made the mistake of twice giving Montell Clarke too much space in the last 10 minutes for the game to end at 2-2 and Vics won the tense penalty shoot out 5-4.
AFC Stockport had few problems in their local derby tie hosting Hillgate playing attractive and quick football and showing great finishing.
A hat-trick from Joe Eaton and a nifty finish from Milton Gomes had them in total control on the hour and they went on to add four more for a comfortable 8-0 win.
Dom Doyle were also impressive as they eased home 6-0 at Saddleworth 3D.
Just one game in the Whitehead Cup for teams in divisions A and B and Trafford United won a thriller at Timperley Villa by the odd goal in five.
In the Hellawell Shield for teams in divisions B and C Bury Ams thirds made it through to the final with a 3-1 win over Signol Athletic reserves.
Concluding their group games were Milnrow Firgrovia with a 3-1 win at Irlam Steel Development and division C leaders Sublime Athletic cruised to a 5-2 win over Barr Hill,
There was very little league action across the divisions but the Premier division had three important games with leaders Moston Brook in cup action.
Salford Vics entertained Monton in a local derby, in a good natured game played at a frantic pace.
Monton took the lead in the first few minutes before Joe Axon equalised from the penalty spot, it stayed that way until the hour mark when Joe got his second.
Monton had struggled to cope with Vics pace throughout the game and Arran Brown added a third from a corner with seven minutes to go, Monton then went into defensive mode to try and prevent any further goals.
The win takes Vics into second spot in the table on goal difference from North Walkden and eight behind Brook with a game in hand.
The other games saw Sale Ams and Irlam Steel Rangers share eight goals in a ding dong thriller and Hattersley beat Abacus Media 3-1.
Just one game in division one and it saw North Walkden enjoy a decisive 5-2 win over Trafford United to move clear of the bottom two.
No games in division two and the only game in division three had Old Stretfordians reserves beating South Manchester 5-0.
The next action was in division B with two close encounters as Moston Brook fourths shared the spoils I a 1-1 deadlock with Village Manchester reserves and BroadheathCentral thirds edged a 2-1 win at Prestwich Marauders.
This completed the action as no games were played in division C.