Lancashire and Cheshire AFL: Weather the winner

The only game involving a premier division team saw Chorltonians bow out of the cup

Action from Mellor thirds v Whalley Range thirds (Range in red and black)
Action from Mellor thirds v Whalley Range thirds (Range in red and black)

After a relatively full fixture list last week the wet weather virtually wiped out the Lancashire and Cheshire AFL programme to increase the furrows on fixture secretary Mal Kershaw’s brow.

The only game involving a premier division team saw Chorltonians bow out of the Manchester Challenge Cup being well beaten 5-1 by Wythenshawe Town.

The only game played in division one was of significant impact as High Lane continued their smooth run of catch-up games with a 2-0 win at Signol Athletic.

The win takes them to the top of the table on goal difference from Tintwistle Athletic with a game in hand and six points clear of Salford Vics.

Division two fared slightly better with two games and a close 2-1 win for Whalley Range seconds at Parrs Wood Celtic seconds moved them to within two points of leaders Stoconians with three vital games in hand.

The other game saw a comfortable 5-2 derby win for Old Stretfordians over Urmston SC to keep Urmston in the relegation zone.

Plenty of goals in the only game played in division three as Moston Brook seconds swamped basement team Eagle seconds 9-2.

There was a real ‘match-of-the-day’ in division A as the top two clashed and leaders Salford Vics seconds lost only their second game of the season.

Chorltonians Athletic emerged with a 3-1 win but they still trail Vics by ten points with just one game in hand.

Highlight

Division B was the most active with three games played  with the highlight being a thrilling 6-5 win for Mellor thirds over Whalley Range thirds to keep Mellor in second spot a point behind leaders Signol Athletic but Signal have four games in hand.

There as late, late drama as Mellor enjoyed the 3G goal fest after trailing 3-2 at the break and then 4-3 after 65 minutes.

Mellor levelled on 89 minutes then made it 5-4 as the final whistle loomed.

Range were then awarded a free kick just outside the box that Abdi Hashad fired through the wall to make it 5-5 with the game moving into injury time.

From the restart the ball was played to Rick Ashford who shot from the half-way line only to see the Range keeper push the ball onto the bar with the ball being deemed to have crossed the line for a controversial late winner.

Tintwistle Athletic seconds shared four goals with Stoconians seconds while Abacus Media seconds were too strong for Droylsden JFC.

Two games played in division C and Chorltonians Rovers enjoyed a vital 4-1 win at AFC Oldham seconds to draw level on 31 points with leaders Tintwistle Athletic thirds with two games in hand.

A close contest saw Hooley Bridge Celtic seconds win by 2-1 hosting Staly Lions seconds, while all games in divisions D and E were postponed.