Cup Drama as Full Programme Returns

This weekend saw attention primarily shift to the domestic cup competitions and in the Rhodes Cup, featuring Premier Division and Division One sides, saw two pulsating preliminary round games.

In the first, Division One Mellor edged out Premier Division Trafford United in a seven-goal thriller while in the other all-Division One game, East Manchester Galaxy came out on top 5-3 against Stretford Paddock Reserves.

The Wray Cup for Division Two and Three teams, saw Division Three runaway leaders Fitton Hill All-Stars squeeze past Elton 5-4 on penalties after their game ended 1-1. In the other game,

Trafford United Reserves defeated local rivals Altrincham Hale Thirds 2-0.

The Wray Cup saw Premliminary round action between teams in Divisions Two and Three.

The final ‘major’ cup competition is the Whitehead Cup from teams in Divisions A and B and again, there were two cracking goals-filled games.

Division B leaders Stoconians Reserves upset their Division A opponents, Prestwich Marauders, notching a famous 5-4 win.

The other game was an all-Division B affair as Santos U23s were defeated 5-3 on penalties by Richmond Rovers Reserves after a dramatic 4-4 draw.

Rovers, who sit three places below Santos in the table, raced into a two-goal lead, capitalising on defensive errors, but Santos worked their way back into the game on the stroke of half-time when Zakiullah Azizi slotted home from an acute angle.

They equalised through Jake Marsland early in the second half but Richmond reasserted their authority with a 30-yard thunderbolt, and a fourth gave them breathing space.

However, Santos fought back again and, after Ellis Holden converted a right-wing cross to reduce the deficit, the hosts completed their second comeback in dramatic fashion by Jackson Fulton.

Despite that setback, Richmond dusted themselves down and prevailed 5-3 in the shootout.

Further cup action came in the form of the newly introduced competitions – the Geoff Garnett Invitational Cup for Premier Division, Division One and Division Two teams – and the Keith Marsden Invitational Cup for Division Three, A and B outfits.

In the Geoff Garnett cup, another penalty shootout was required, this time between Bedians and Chadderton Cott whose encounter finished 4-4. Cott were made to pay for several missed chances as Bedians triumphed 3-1 on spot kicks.

Manchester Rose had to work hard for a 3-2 win over Rochdalians and there were goals galore at Rushford Park in a 7-4 spectacular win for the home team over AFC Stockport.

In the Keith Marsden Cup, Saddleworth 3D Reserves won 3-1 at Stockport Warriors and Village Manchester Reserves edged a 3-2 penalty shootout win at Bury Ams B after a 2-2 deadlock.

There were limited league games played and in the Premier Division, lowly Abacus Media pulled off a welcome 5-1 win over AFC Oldham, while Richmond Rovers hit form with a 6-3 cruise over Manchester South End.

In Division One Didsbury kept on the heels of the leading group with a 2-0 win at Grappenhall Sports and leaders Oldham Hulmeians had few problems in a 9-1 win over Withington Wanderers.

The back of the net was bursting in the games played in Division Two with Moorside winning 10-1 over Abacus Media Reserves and Konger and Old Strets Gregs shared eight goals.

Just one game played in Division Three between two promotion hunters and Moston Brook Reserves moved above Didsbury Reserves into second place with a comfortable 5-0 win.

Just one game completed in Division A and AFC Salford increased their lead at the top with a 5-3 win over Rushford Park Reserves.

Yet more goals in the two games played in Division B led by Oldham Hulmieians reserves who stay in second place after a 7-1 win over Didsbury Thirds and Waterhead Reserves won 5-0 at Moston Brook Thirds.