AFC Oldham in the Title Hunt

A better week of weather saw a bigger number of games completed to hot up the title challenges across the six divisions.

It’s hot at the top of the Premier Division as AFC Oldham ended the 100% record of Rushford Park with a 2-0 win to leapfrog them into second place three points behind long-time leaders Bollington United with a game in hand. Oldham showed plenty of determination in an exciting and close contest which was settled by two clinical finishes and gritty defending.

Bollington stay on top after a 4-2 home win over Manchester Rose while Bedians have plenty of games in hand on the top group and were delighted with a 4-1 win over Trafford United to keep the high-flyers in their sights.

Joining them in mid-table are Richmond Rovers after a 4-2 win over Boothstown and basement team Abacus Media celebrated after posting their first win of the season with a 3-0 win at Manchester South End.

There were some close games in Division One where a handful of points separate the top five teams.

Oldham Hulmeians moved three points clear of non-playing East Manchester Galaxy after a tense win at Santos.

Santos welcomed Hulmeians in this local derby, a match won by the visitors by the odd goal in five. Hulmeians got an early goal which was cancelled out by Josh Togg after 10 mins.

Hulmeians retook the lead at the start of the second half and added a third midway through the half. Kane Steele pulled a goal back for Santos in the last minute but they could not force an equaliser.

The other games in the division were also close with Rochdalians and Village Manchester locked at 1-1 and Stretford Paddock Ams shared four goals with Mellor.

Withington Wanderers came close to getting their first point of the season losing 3-2 hosting Grappenhall Sports.

The top two faced each other in Division Two at Chorlton Sports Club where leaders Manchester Rovers came back from 2-0 down against Moston Brook Reserves to salvage a vital point to stay two points ahead of Brook who have a game in hand.

Old Strets Gregs moved into third place with a confident 5-0 win over Konger taking them ahead of non-playing Saddleworth 3D and Moorside.

Old Alts Thirds enjoyed their best win of the season, beating Bury Ams 5-2, and Tintwistle Athletic Reserves also went nap in a 5-2 win over South Manchester to lift themselves from the foot of the table.

Division Three leaders Fitton Hill All-Stars were without a game but stay six points clear of their main rivals.

Second-placed Timperley Villa lost out 3-2 to Didsbury FC Reserves who remain unbeaten and have six games in hand over the leaders with a nine-point deficit to overcome.

Spurley Hey got their shooting boots back on with a comfortable 7-0 derby win at AFC Stockport Warriors.

AFC Salford moved eight points clear at the top of Division A with a hard-earned 2-0 win at Village Manchester Reserves.

Plenty of goals in the other games in the division led by Rushford Park Reserves’ 7-1 thrashing of Heyside, and AFC Stockport Titans’ thumping 5-0 win hosting the young Urmston Meadowside.

There was a shock for Division B’s runaway leaders Stoconians Reserves who were brought back to earth as they lost out 3-1 at second-placed Oldham Hulmeians who moved to within eight points of the leaders with five games in hand.

Cavaliers had their best first half of the season as they led 3-2 at break hosting Saddleworth 3D Reserves who came back well to win 6-3.

AFC Oldham A were also goal hungry in a big 8-1 won over Moston Brook Fourths.

Bury Ams B moved into third place with a 3-1 win over Richmond Rovers Reserves.

The other game played was a Tameside derby in the Manchester Amateur Cup quarter final between Newton Vikings and Denton Town Reserves.

Vikings put on a great show to see the game end at 1-1 but Town had the last word winning the penalty shoot out to go through to the last four.