Cott up for the Cup Challenge

There was a mixed bag of County Cup matches and league fixtures providing plenty of goals and some thrilling games on a full day of action.

The Manchester Challenge Cup saw the league’s result of the day as Chadderton Cott made it through to next round with a superb 2-1 win at Manchester League giants East Manchester.

Bedians also progressed after a penalty shoot-out following a draw in their game with Manchester South End but there was no joy for Boothstown as they went down 9-0 in their local derby at Irlam Steel Rangers or Trafford united who lost 6-2 at Chadderton Reserves.

In the Cheshire County Cup, an entertaining game at Bollington was won 5-3 by visiting Broadheath Central, and Richmond Rovers exited the competition after going down 4-0 in a local derby with Wilmslow Albion, while AFC Stockport lost 5-1 against Altrincham Hale.

Mellor put a great fight against West Cheshire giants Great Sutton before being edged out 5-4.

Premier Division action was limited to two games and they both provided excellent entertainment and some quality football. AFC Oldham edged a nine-goal thriller at Manchester Rose while in the other game, another close encounter saw Rushford Park defeat Abacus by the odd goal in seven.

There were also some close contests in Division One with 1-1 draws in the matches between Rochdalians and East Manchester Galaxy and Stretford Paddock Ams and Village Manchester respectively.

Didsbury played some excellent football as they dispatched new boys Grappenhall Sports 5-2.

Santos paraded their League Champions Cup from last season before their kick off at Withington Wanderers then conceded a soft goal in the first minute.

Tim Gallagher equalised with a powerful header soon after and the match remained all square until the interval.

Second half strikes by Gallagher, Kane Steele, Tom Barnes and a double by Joshua Togg saw Santos run out comfortable victors.

Division Two had some outstanding games and plenty of goals led by Heywood St James Reserves 7-2 in their local derby at Abacus Media Reserves.

Old Alts A made a very positive entry into the L&C with a very efficient 6-0 win over Konger.

There were 4-2 victories for Saddleworth 3D over local rivals Moorside and Moston Brook Reserves at Old StretsGregs.

Elton Fold were delighted with a 5-3 win at Tintwistle Athletic Reserves and Bury Ams worked hard for a 2-1 win at South Manchester.

In Division Three, Spurley Hey enjoyed a comprehensive 7-1 win over Manchester Saints Athletic.

Timperley Villa eased to a 5-0 win over Old StretsGregs Reserves and neighbours Altrincham Hale won 5-1 at AFC Oldham Reserves.

Waterhead won their local derby 3-1 against Fitton Hill AllStars and Moston Brook Thirds edged a close 2-1 win at Stoconians.

The big hitters in Division A for the second successive week were Signol Athletic who beat new team Silver Birch 9-1.

Newton Vikings were also on form with a 5-2 win at Village Manchester Reserves but the rest of the games in the division were very close.

Rushford Park Reserves had to graft hard for a 2-1 win at Urmston Meadowside but the spoils were shared in the other two games with Heyside and AFC Salford locked at 1-1 and AFC Stockport Titans shared four goals with Prestwich Marauders.

The goals continued to flow in Division B with Waterhead Reserves leading the way with a 7-0 win at Cavaliers

Bury Ams B won 5-0 hosting Stoconians Reserves.

Not much in it in the other games with Richmond Rovers reserves winning 3-2 at Manchester Victoria and the other two games were both drawn as Oldham Hulmeians Reserves and Santos U23s shared eight goals.

The hosts scored twice before a 30-yard strike from Curtis Sulcas reduced the deficit by the break.

A Jackson Fulton penalty levelled the scores before further strikes by Ollie Bollard-Wilkes and a second from Fulton put Santos in command but they could not hold out as Hulmeians got two late strikes to earn a draw.

The other game saw Moston Brook Fourths draw 2-2 with Saddleworth 3D Reserves. ACTION FROM YESTERDAY'S GAMES - Old Alts 3rd (Blue and White) v Konger (Yellow and Black), Withington Wanderers (Red and Black) v Santos (Orange and Blue) and Manchester Rose (Purple) v AFC Oldham (Orange and Black)