A full Premier division fixture list in the Lancashire and Cheshire AFL saw the title race continue afresh with leaders Mellor keeping their one-point advantage with a comfortable 6-1 win over Old Ashtonians.
Old Trafford and Gorse Hill’s impressive goal difference sees them in second place after scoring the only goal of a well-contested game with Bedians and they still have a game in hand on Mellor.
Abacus Media enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 win over Newton, with all of their goals coming before the break, to stay level on points with OT and Gorse Hill but they are running out of games to present a title challenge.
The main danger lies with reigning champions Rochdalians who were engaged in catch-up Rhodes Cup action against a plucky Santos who gave a good account of themselves in a 3-1 defeat.
Rochdalians have plenty of games in hand on the top three and Whalley Range also kept in the hunt with a 4-1 derby win at Chorltonians.
Range led at the break with a fine header from Rob Kinsella and Chorlts keeper kept up his team’s hopes with a superb penalty save from Connor Downes as Range missed plenty of chances.
Range kept up the pressure allowing Kinsella to complete his hat-trick with two tap-insand Ashley Ince added an excellent fourth before Chorlts bagged a late consolation.
South Manchester continued their climb up the table with a 4-1 win over Parrs Wood Celtic.
Marc Critchley took advantage of a sloppy clearance to give South the lead on 16 minutes then they were indebted to keeper Frasat Ali for a penalty save to preserve their lead at the break.
A second penalty on 55 minutes was converted by Kane Berkley then Critchley and Berkley struck again to make it flattering 4-0 before a stunning late volley from Will Pitts gave Celtic a well-deserved consolation in a game which was a credit to both teams for their sportsmanship and quality of football.
The other game saw Bury Ams stay at the foot of the table as they were outgunned 4-0 at Moston Brook.
It’s still tight at the top of division one as High Lane and Tintwistle Athletic remain locked on 32 points.
Lane kept up their recent good run with a 5-3 win over a gutsy Hooley Bridge Celtic and Athletic also had to work hard before scoring the only goal of their game with Milton.
Govan Athletic moved into third place after winning 2-0 at Moorside Rangers.
They overtook Rangers and Salford Vics who lost out 5-1 in their Manchester Amateur Cup clash at Failsworth Dynamos.
Shock
There was a big shock for division two leaders Stoconians who were taken apart 6-2 hosting Old Stretfordians seconds.
Strets hit top form after taking an early lead as club legend Alex Ritchie converted a long throw from Jack Mullarkey.
Stocs were soon level but from then on it was all Strets as Ritchie completed a fantastic and possibly unique hat-trick from long throws.
Raul Gordon got on the score sheet after an exquisite pass from Ryan McDonah followed by a goal direct from a corner from a corner by Aidan McGloin with the six-hit being completed by McDonagh.
Parrs Wood Celtic seconds kept in touch with the top two with a gritty 3-2 win at AFC Oldham and in basement battles Rochdalians seconds beat Urmston SC 3-0 and Spurley Hey won their local derby by 3-1 over Mellor seconds.
Chorltonians Town moved five points clear in division two with a comfortable 5-1 win over Moston Brook seconds.
The scoreline was matched by Newton Heath seconds at Eagle seconds and the other two games produced 2-1 wins for Hooley Bridge Celtic seconds against AFC Stockport and Oldham Vics who lost out in their Manchester Amateur Cup game hosting North Manchester.
Romp
Just two games were played in division A with leaders Salford Vics seconds sharing six goals with High Lane seconds and Chorltonians Athletic were too hot for Moston Brook thirds in a 7-2 romp.
Mellor thirds are hot, hot, hot in division B and they kept up their fabulous recent run with a 6-1 demolition of Milton seconds but the other two games were much closer as Old Trafford and Gorse Hill seconds won 2-1 at Bedians seconds with this score being matched by Stoconians seconds at Govan Athletic seconds.
In division C the title race hotted up as leaders Tintwistle Athletic thirds were held to a 1-1 draw by second-placed Chorltonians Rovers with both teams still level on 32 points but Rovers have two games in hand
Manchester Rovers were 3-1 winners hosting high-flying Old Strets fourths and Spurley Hey seconds shared four goals with Moorside Rangers seconds.
Hillgate boosted their chances of winning the division D title as an emphatic 6-1 win over Parrs Wood Celtic thirds kept them seven points clear of Salford Vics thirds and Stoconians thirds.
Vics beat Staly Lions thirds 2-1 and Stocs won by the odd goal in seven in a rousing encounter with Trafford United seconds.
The other game had Abacus Media thirds keeping an immaculate clean sheet in a 3-0 derby win at Moston Brook fourths.
At last there was some welcome action in division E and the top game saw second-placed AFC Oldham fourths go down 2-0 to Bury Ams fourths who closed the gap to four points with five games in hand.
Plenty of goals in the other two games with Bedians thirds beating Stoconians fourths 5-3 and leaders Oldham Vics seconds emerged with a breathless 4-3 win at Staly Lions fourths.
