The weekend saw completion of the remaining league fixtures, as well as the annual Inter League match with rivals and friends from the Lancashire Amateur League to contest the John Howard Shield. It was a dramatic encounter to match up to the occasion as the L&C scored a 90th-minute equaliser to draw 2-2 and win the subsequent penalty shootout. The L&C played hosts for the game and it was played at Bedians FC, who provided an immaculate grass pitch drawing universal praise fr

Three more cup competitions reached their exciting climax which saw Saddleworth 3D, Oldham Hulmeians and Signol Athletic lift trophies after triumphing in their respective finals. Saddleworth 3D are the new Wray Cup champions after the Division Two outfit edged Fitton Hill Allstars 1-0 in a tightly contested game. History was going to be made either way as both sides were aiming for their maiden trophy and the game was settled by 3D’s leading marksman Zack Barton who struck m

Signol Athletic secured the second part of what could be a memorable treble-winning season after beating Village Manchester Reserves 4-2 to lift the Division A title. After clinching the Whitehead Cup, Signol went into the game knowing a win would hand them more silverware. But it was not plain sailing for Signol as a well organised Village led 2-1 at the break with strikes from Franky Habbaa and Ayo Oyesaliya. Village were reduced to ten men early in the second half with a r

Rushford Park lifted the Rhodes Cup for the first time in their history after defeating valiant East Manchester Galaxy on penalties. There was always going to be a new name on the trophy in a competition that has ran since 1913, and there were high hopes that a Rushford team going for Premier Division glory and a Galaxy side well set to snatch the Division One title would produce a classic. But few could have predicted the pulsating nature of the game held at West Didsbury an

Rushford Park and East Manchester Galaxy set up a mouthwatering Rhodes Cup final as they both enjoyed a pivotal week in their respective quests for league and cup glory. In an all- RFAITS Premier Division semi-final with Manchester Rose at the weekend, a late winner gave Rushford a dramatic 4-3 win. Rose looked set for the final as an Adekunle Otuland’s brace and Gerald Magande’s strike cancelled out Bailey Napier’s opener. But Rushford roared back and after Demel Cumnerbat

L&C teams were given the opportunity to enjoy the Easter break and play their games in the coming weeks, which meant a limited programme, but Rushford Park reinforced their RFAITS Premier Division title ambitions with an impressive 8-2 win at AFC Oldham to close the gap on leaders Bollington United to nine points, though with three games in hand, they will fancy their chances. At the other end, Manchester South End moved out of the bottom two with a 3-1 win over Manchester Ro