AFC Stockport Spring Another Cup Upset

League and cup action continued this weekend and in the Rhodes Cup, AFC Stockport once again sprang a shock, defeating promotion-chasing Didsbury FC in an all-Division One affair.

Having dispatched Bedians in the last round, AFC Stockport’s run looked to be at an end after Didsbury went three up early in the second half, but AFC fought back in style, netting five times without reply to march into the next round.

Joining them are Premier Division high-flyers Rushford Park who took on Chadderton Cott.

Cott took the lead with an early clinical finish but Ben Burchell levelled for Park, who took control with a brace from Demell Cumberbatch before the break and they eventually ran out 4-2 winners.

In Wray Cup action, Fitton Hill All-Stars won their local derby at Moorside 3-1 and are joined in the next round by Heywood St James Reserves who notched 4-2 win at Trafford United Reserves.

The Whitehead Cup saw comfortable wins for Signol Athletic who saw off Didsbury Thirds 10-3, and Newton Vikings who brushed aside Cheadle and Gatley 5-1.

In the subsidiary Geoff Garnett Cup, it was close at Trafford United who lost by the odd goal in five to AFC Oldham.

Withington Wanderers have endured a miserable season in Division One but they showed great spirit at Premier Division side Richmond Rovers.

The match ended at 2-2 and Rovers won the penalty shoot-out 4-3.

Just one game played in the Premier Division and Bedians hit form again with a big 8-0 win over Manchester South End to stay on the heels of the top two.

Plenty of goals in the two games in Division One including a classic end-to-end encounter at Village Manchester against Stretford Paddock Ams producing goals at regular intervals with the result going down into the final minutes before Village edged it 5-4 in a game which was a credit to both teams for their attitude and quality of play.

The other game saw Mellor keep up their promotion hopes with a clinical 7-3 win over Rochdalians.

Four games were played in Division Two and Moston Brook Reserves hit the top of the table with a 7-0 win at Konger, though second-placed Moorside have four games in hand.

Old StretsGregs were also in the goals with a 6-3 win over Tintwistle Athletic Reserves.

Saddleworth 3D lost ground on the leading pack as they lost in a breathless 5-4 win for South Manchester and it was also close at Abacus Media Reserves who shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw with Old Alts A.

The big hitters in Division Three were Didsbury Reserves with a 10-1 win at AFC Stokport Warriors.

It moved them to within three points of leaders Fitton Hill All-Stars with four games in hand.

The other two games were much closer with the local derby at Stoconians seeing them beat Spurley Hey 3-2 and a tight encounter at Waterhead saw them share four goals with Timperley Villa.

There were no games played in Division A but in Division B, leaders Oldham Hulmeians extended their lead over Stoconians Reserves to four points with a comfortable 7-0 win over Cavaliers.

Santos U23’s kept in touch with the top two after a close 3-2 derby win over Waterhead Reserves moved them ahead on goal difference from Bury Ams B who lost out 4-3 at Saddleworth 3D Reserves.

The goals-filled action of the day was summed up by Richmond Rovers Reserves who won 6-5 at Moston Brook Fourths in another frenetic encounter.