Weekend Review: Lancashire and Cheshire Football League

Poor weather and Covid rules reduced a full fixture list yet again but the final round of games before the festive break again produced a plethora of goals and close and exciting games in all of the eight divisions. 

Premier division’s runaway leaders Mellor were denied a fixture as they look to continue their 100 per cent record allowing the chasing pack to close Mellor’s lead to a single point. 

Salford Vics moved into second spot on goal difference ending a recent losing sequence with a thilling 3-2 win over Dom Doyle. 

It was a great game which was end to end for virtually the full 90 minutes. 

Goals from Luke Norris, Joe Axon and a penalty from Josh Lawman gave Salford Vics a 3-2 win over an excellent Dom Doyle team It was quite possibly the best game of amateur soccer ever seen by Vics legend Chris Carney ably refereed by Chris Denis a great afternoon out despite the weather. 

Another thriller at Irlam Tigers saw them share six goals with AFC Oldham who kept in touch at the top, level on points with Salford Vics, but Mellor still have plenty of vital games in hand over their nearest rivals. 

Reigning champions Rochdalians ended their recent lean spell with a comfortable 4-1 win at Radclyffe and Abacus Media also enjoyed a convincing 5-2 derby win at Milton to stay in fourth spot. 

Division one is a real hot spot with just a point separating the top four teams. 

Stretford Paddock had a comfortable midweek win over Trafford United to join Moston Brook at the top but they were overtaken by Brook who had to work hard for a point in a 3-3 deadlock at Didsbury.

Just a point behind Brook are De La Salle Reds who had a close 3-2 win over Newton and Hadfield Athletic who won by the same score at Signol OB.

Urmston Town trailed by 3-1 hosting North Walkden but showed their fighting spirit as they came back to draw 4-4.

Wild celebrations for Dukinfield Athletic who picked up their first win of the season with a fine 4-2 victory at Bury Ams.

There were more close encounters in division two with top team Old Stretfordians staying a point clear after a nerve-jangling 2-1 win over close rivals Shaw Athletic.

Signol Athletic JFC stay in second place after an efficient 2-0 win at Oldham Vics.

Bedians scored the only goal of their derby game against South Manchester reserves and the tight nature of the division was reflected in a 3-2 win for Stoconians against Santos.

Just three points separate the top four teams in an action packed division three and Hattersley lead on goal difference from Sale Ams after a 4-2 win over Village Manchester

Sale edged a 4-3 win over Stretford Paddock reserves and Wythenshawe Wanderers are firmly in the mix with a 2-0 win over Didsbury reserves.

This took them above Aldermere who went down 3-1 at Woodhouses JFC.

There was also a thriller at Elton Lib Hargreaves as they shared six goals with Hooley Bridge Celtic.

The other game saw Stoconians seconds beat Abacus Media seconds by 5-2.

Non playing division A leaders Kartel dropped back into third spot in division A being overtaken by AFC Stockport who had an emphatic 4-1 win over Milton reserves and AFC Oldham reserves with an even bigger 5-1 victory over Old Strets reserves.

The other games in the division had Moston Brook reserves winning 3-0 at Trafford United reserves and Deans Youth shared eight goals with Chadderton Park.

The only game without goals on the day was at division B leaders Aldermere reserves who were held 0-0 by AFC Oldham thirds allowing Flixton JFC to close the gap at the top to a point after administering a 6-1 win over Dukinfield Athletic reserves.

Heaton Mersey are on a hot run and kept up the pace with a comfortable 4-1 win over Bury Ams reserves to stay in touch with the top two.

A mid-table tussle had Chadderton Cott beating Moston Brook thirds and the other two games were deadlocked with Hillgate drawing 2-2 with Irlam Tiger Rangers and Salford Albion sharing eight goals with Spurley Hey.

AFC Stockport Warriors stay in firm control of division C after easing to a 5-2 win over Salford Storm reserves to stay six points clear of the next four teams in the division.

Radclyffe reserves lead the quartet on goal difference which was enhanced by a 4-0 win over Bury Ams thirds and next up are Altrincham Hale who had Rick Veight and Leigh Thomas cancelling out an own goal in a 2-1 win at Village Manchester reserves.

Govan Athletic showed plenty of grit as they held Staly Lions to a 3-3 draw but basement team Didsbury thirds found Stoconians thirds too hot to handle in a 4-1 defeat.

Irlam Tigers moved four points clear at the top of a goals-filled division D with main rivals Urmston Town Vale without a game as they beat FC Bury Aces 5-3.

Shaw Athletic reserves were the hot shots of the day with a 9-2 derby win at Chadderton Park Reserves.

Whalley Range  at last found their shooting boots with their first win of the season by 6-3 at Stoconians fourths.