New Tournament Hits The Back Of The Net

The Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur Football League, alongside old friends and rivals the Lancashire Amateur FL, got together to set up the North West Inter League Cup (NWILC) as an extra incentive for their top teams.

It involves a knock out competition in which the teams in their top division will play each other aiming to reach finals day.

The first round of matches saw the L and C teams dominate led by big wins for Hattersley 6-3 over Failsworth Dynamos, Irlam Steel Rangers by the same score over reigning LAL champions Little Lever and in-form Moston Brook 5-2 against Radcliffe Town.

There were away wins for North Walkden 2-1 over Old Blackburnians, Abacus Media 3-1 at Old Mancunians and Salford Vics 2-1 at Rochdale St Clements.

Didsbury Athletic were conceded their game by Burnley Belvedere.

Two very close games saw Shaw Athletic bow out as they lost to the only goal of their game at Mill Hill Blackburn and Milton in a tight tie at Ashtonians where they were leading 2-1 only for a late goal for their hosts taking the game to a controversial penalty shoot -out going in favour of Ashtonians by 3-2.

Just one game played in the Premier divisions with Old Stretfordians enjoying their first win of the season by 5-0 over Stretford Paddock Amateurs.

In division one Chadderton Park stay top as they retained their 100 per cent record with a comfortable 5-1 win over Manchester Polonia.

Three points behind Park are Village Manchester who were given a close game at Bedians before emerging with a 3-2 victory.

Sale Ams are level on points with Village but they too had to work hard for a 3-2 win over Bury Ams after the teams had shared four goals before the break.

The other game had Salford Albion beating a gallant Newton 4-0.

Division two leaders Kartel Sports kept up their hot start to the season with an emphatic 7-2 win at Hooley Bridge Celtic.

Goals galore also at North Walkden Reserves who led 4-1 at the break in their local derby with Salford Vics reserves only for Vics to storm back for an exciting 7-5 win.

There was another thriller at AFC Oldham who lost out 5-4 hosting Moston Brook reserves.

Plenty of goals also at Poynton Juniors who had Sahwo Karbatl, Dillion Clever and Sam Boswell on target in a close first half as they shared six goals with Aldermere only for Aldermere to step up a gear and win 5-3.

R-FixFC also went nap with a 5-2 win over Trafford United keeping them in the top three.

The other two games saw Abacus Media reserves complete a good day for the club beating South Manchester 3-1 and Didsbury won 3-0 at Stretford Paddock Development.

In division three there are local bragging rights looming as Staly Lions and Dukinfield Athletic are level on points at the top of the table.

The Lions had to graft hard for a 3-2 win over Mellor reserves and Athletic had a clean sheet beating Bury Ams reserves 2-0.

Santos were the big hitters in the division beating AFC Oldham reserves 6-2 in a local derby.

Danny Brierley, Mike Patterson and Denzel King struck before the break for Santos and netting in the second half were their captain Tim Gallagher and Dean Walker.

Also in the goals were Moston Brook thirds winning 5-2 at Whalley Range and Spurley Hey by 4-1 over Woodhouses.

Badger Casuals enjoyed their first win of the season scoring the only goal of the game at AFC Stockport and Saddleworth 3D won by the odd goal in five at Milton and another close contest ended in a 2-1 win for Old Strets reserves at Heaton Mersey. 

Loads of goals in division A as three teams are level on points at the top of the table.

Manchester Rovers lead the way after a 7-2 win over Spurley Hey reserves and Parrs Wood Celtic won 6-2 at Moston Brook fourths

Hillgate joined them at the top after a comfortable 6-1 victory over Trafford United reserves.

Milltown also won 6-1 at Flixton JFC and AFC Stockport Warriors eased to a 7-1 win at Oldham Saints.

Keeping the goals flowing were Village Manchester Reserves with a 5-1 win over Milnrow Firgrovia and Staly Lions reserves by 5-1 over Altrincham Hale.

In division B there were some exciting games led by Bury Ams thirds who shared ten goals with Stoconians reserves.

Mellor thirds won 3-2 at Broadheath Central a score matched by Signol Athletic at Poynton JF C reserves.

Matt Jones and GeorgeClarke had Signol 2-1 up at the break with both teams netting once in the second half.

Village Manchester thirds had the biggest win by 4-1 at Saddleworth 3D reserves and divisional leaders AFC Oldham thirds were not far behind winning 3-1 at Salford Vics Development.