Cup Glory for Three Teams

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 midway through the first half.

Fitton Hill were valiant in trying to equalise but 3D defended solidly to secure glory.

The game was well controlled by referee Martyn Andrews and his team enabling the game to flow and give plenty of entertainment to the excellent support given to both teams.

In the Geoff Garnett Cup final, it was even more dramatic as Oldham Hulmeians stunned Bollington United 5-4 on penalties.

The game ended 3-3 after an end-to-end encounter which saw Kalem Humphreys strike early on for Hulmeians before Joe Cobey’s brace put Bollington ahead. Ryan Jones equalised early in the second half before Bollington went ahead again late on.

But Hulmeians scored a dramatic 95^th-minute equaliser through Thomas Glynn to send the game to penalties and they held their nerve to set up great celebrations.

In the Keith Marsden Cup, it also went to the wire before a delighted Signol Athletic won 3-2, with goals from Adam Buckley, Charlie Graham and Dan Roper which completes a treble to cap off a superb season for the club.

In the league, the RFAITS Premier Division title was decided in midweek as Rushford Park beat Bollington 3-1 to put themselves out of reach.

It meant a great double for Rushford who had already won the Rhodes Cup.

They slowed down in their final game losing out 5-0 to a lively young Manchester Rose team and the other match in the division brought a 3-2 derby win for Chadderton Cott at AFC Oldham.

In Division One, East Manchester Galaxy hit the top with a 2-1 win over Grappenhall SC in midweek and Didsbury moved into second place with a comfortable 3-1 win at Rochdalians.

Then Galaxy took the title in style at the weekend with a 5-1 win over Mellor.

The other game in the division saw Grappenhall SC finish their first season in the L&C with a comfortable 5-1 win over AFC Stockport.

In Division Two, Moorside have already secured the title and won their final game at Old Strets Gregs 2-0. Heywood St James Reserves moved into second place with a 3-1 win over Manchester Rovers but were then checked in a 3-2 draw at Konger giving Saddleworth 3D a chance to overtake them after they had won 2-0 at Abacus Media Reserves who kept up their recent hot run with a 6-2 cruise over Konger in midweek.

An entertaining game at Elton Fold saw the host win 4-3 over Moston Brook Reserves and in another close contest Manchester Rovers and Bury Ams were locked at 1-1.

Two games played in Division Three were midtable affairs with Altrincham Hale Thirds winning their local derby with Trafford United Reserves by 4-3 and Timperley Villa scores the only goal of their game at Stoconians.

Only one game played in Division A and it kept Rushford Park Reserves in second place behind champions Signol Athletic with a thrilling 4-3 win at Village Manchester Reserves.

Just one midweek game in Division B and it saw Santos u23 complete a good season with big 8-3 win at Didsbury Thirds despite trailing 2-1 at the break to move into third place in the table.

The other game saw Manchester Victoria move towards mid-table with 3-2 win at Moston Brook Fourths.