Shaw Climb To Second Spot As Rain Impacts League Fixtures

Grass pitches took a big hit with the heavy rain two days prior to the busy league programme but several clubs made sensible changes to their fixtures to enable plenty of games to be played.

The top two teams in the Premier division were without games and Shaw Athletic took advantage to move above Moston Brook into second spot as they scored the only goal of a hot contest with Abacus Media.

The win takes Athletic a point behind leaders North Walkden who have three games in hand as do Moston Brook.

The top entertainment of the day came at Didsbury Athletic where visiting Old Stretfordians won a thriller by 7-6.

Milton had a comfortable 3-0 derby win at Rochdalians to move into the top half of the table.

Division one leaders Chadderton Park dropped their first points of the season as they shared six goals with Mellor but they are still two points clear of High Lane with three games in hand.

Sale Amateurs continued their recent good run to stay on the heels of the leading group as they won an excellent game at Village Manchester by the odd goal in five.

On target for Sale were Mike Schofield, Tom Welby and Kazim Waite-Jackson with Dec Moran and Ryan Haywood replying for Village to keep it close to the end.

Bedians stay in the mix with an efficient 2-0 win over Salford Albion as do Bury Ams who won their local derby at Elton Lib Hargreaves 3-1.

Moston Brook reserves stay in firm control of division two as they preserved their proud 100 per cent record beating Didsbury 4-1 and main challengers Kartel were held to a 2-2 draw at AFC Oldham to see Brook four points clear with two games in hand.

Another top fixture saw North Walkden reserves score the only goal of their game with Trafford United and it was also close at Hooley Bridge Celtic who edged a 4-3 win over Aldermere.

Dukinfield Athletic maintained their four-point lead at the top of division three but they were taken to the wire at Spurley Hey before scrambling home 4-3.

Local rivals Staly Lions kept up with them as they demolished Milton reserves 8-1.

Old Strets reserves were also  big hitters in the division beating AFC Oldham reserves 8-2.

Santos moved into third place as they beat Whalley Range 5-1.

First half goals were scored by Denzel King and Tom Barnes.

Mike Patterson scored within a minute of the second half starting, Range pulled a goal back before strikes by Liam Churchill and Reece Holden made the game safe.

Badger Casuals had their best win of the season with a lively 6-0 victory at Mellor reserves.

The other two games in the division were close affairs with Saddleworth 3D winning 3-2 at Moston Brook thirds and Bury Ams shared four goals with Heaton Mersey who reverted to their old draw specialist role.

It’s still a two-horse race in division A with leaders Hillgate having to work hard for a 4-2 win over a much-improved Oldham Saints.

Milltown stay in second spot as they kept up their 100 per cent record with 6-1 victory at Trafford United reserve to stay two points behind the leaders with two games in hand.

Altrincham Hale are in third place after a breathless 4-3 win over Manchester Rovers and Flixton JFC put on the style with a 6-3 win over Milnrow Firgrovia.

Signol Athletic are in total control of division B as another big 8-0 win over Saddleworth 3D reserves keeps them eight points clear of Mellor thirds who were without a game.

Plenty of ups and downs in the local derby between Broadheath Central and Timperley Villa as Central roared into a 3-0 lead only to be pegged back to 3-3 at the break.

Central regained their early momentum to add two unanswered goals in the second half.

It was also close at Village Manchester thirds who trailed AFC Oldham thirds 2-1 at the break but came back with the only goal in the second half to pick up a points.