Lancashire and Cheshire AFL: Mellor continue title chase

Mellor v Rochdalians (Mellor in red and white) in the Lancashire and Cheshire AFL
Mellor v Rochdalians (Mellor in red and white) in the Lancashire and Cheshire AFL

Mellor’s relentless chase of Lancashire and Cheshire AFL premier division leaders Whalley Range continued with a 5-0 win over reigning champions Rochdalians, cutting the Range lead down to six points with Mellor having two games in hand and a superior goal difference.

Rochdalians had the better of the opening exchanges but were hit by a double from Liam McCauley, including a spot kick.

Mellor gained in confidence and were able to add three late goals to hot up their chances of catching the leaders.

Abacus Media ended Bedians hopes of escaping from the bottom two with a 3-1 win and Old Trafford and Gorse Hill were on fire in a 7-1 rout of Old Ashtonians.

The other game saw a strike from Marc Critchley earn South Manchester a share of the spoils in a 1-1 deadlock at High Lane.

Just two games played in division one and Signol Athletic competed their fixtures with a 5-2 win at Swinton.

The win keeps them in second spot behind champions Moorside Rangers and Salford Vics stay in the bottom two after sharing eight goals with Stoconians.

Chorltonians seconds v Chadderton Park (Chorlts in green and black)
Chorltonians seconds v Chadderton Park (Chorlts in green and black)

It’s still all to play for in division two with leaders Waterloo winning a close contest at Spurley Hey by 2-0.

Mellor seconds kept pace with Waterloo with a thrilling 4-3 win at Moston Brook seconds and are level on points with the leaders but with two vital games in hand making them title favourites,

The other two games saw comfortable wins for Hooley Bridge Celtic by 7-0 over Chorltonians and Parrs Wood Celtic seconds accounted for Newton seconds by 6-3.

Didsbury seconds are just one win away from winning the division three title after a tight 1-0 victory over local rivals Heaton Mersey.

Chorltonians seconds stay in the mix after a 2-0 win over Chadderton Park.

Park were not to be blown away and enjoyed more of the play before a defensive slip on 65 minutes allowed Darren Marley to give Chorlts the lead.

Tom Gannon settled the Chorlts nerves and sealed victory with the second on 75 minutes.

Manchester Polonia took full advantage of the Chadderton defeat as they beat Santos 3-1 to move above them from the foot of the table.

Hollingworth took a big step to winning the division A title with a 3-0 win at Stoconians seconds but Whalley Range thirds still have an outside chance of overhauling them.

They cruised to a 7-1 win over Moston Brook thirds with goals from Abdul Rihan (two), Sam Remeh (two), Abdi Ibrahim, Faz Fasshi and Sarharh Hamed.

Chorltonians Rovers hopes of catching Hollingworth received a blow as they drew 3-3 with Bury Ams seconds to drop to eight points behind the leaders.

The other game in the division saw AFC Oldham seconds keep an immaculate clean sheet in a 3-0 win over Aldermere.

There was a boost for division B leaders Abacus Media seconds, who were without a game but saw main rivals Tintwistle Athletic thirds drop two vital points as they were held 2-1 by Bury Ams thirds.

Village Manchester are in a great run of form and moved to within a point of Tintwistle with a game in hand with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Milton seconds.

The other games produced a big 7-1 win for Old Stretfordians seconds over Hillgate and Deans won 3-1 at Staly Lions seconds.

Moorside Rangers seconds still have a league and cup double firmly in their sights as they lead division C by five points from Spurley Hey seconds after beating them 3-2 in a tight game.

Netting for Rangers were Paul Parker, Alex Moran and Brandon Fry.

Moston Brook fourths were on fire in a 9-1 win over AFC Stockport and Salford Vics thirds edged a 3-2 win at Didsbury thirds.

In division D Bedians thirds are almost done and dusted as they lead by seven points from Trafford United seconds with a vastly superior goal difference.

Bedians cruised to a 4-1 win over Staly Lions thirds and Trafford United seconds were comfortable 3-0 winners hosting Bury Ams fourths.

Plenty of thrills and spills in the other games led by Didsbury fourths who won by the odd goal in nine at Chorltonians Athletic.

This scoreline was matched by Stoconians fourths against Old Strets thirds and Whalley Range thirds shared six goals with Chadderton Park seconds.

Netting for Range were Sam Millar (two) and keeper Declan Oliver with a superb 75-yarder but Range conceded two penalties in quick succession to gift Park a point and stay in the basement position.