Entertaining Start to the New Season

The L&C kicked of the new season with plenty of goals across all six divisions played in a competitive spirit.

The games in the Premier Division showed that it could be very close and exciting with new teams Boothstown and Manchester Rose involved in an entertaining and high quality encounter.

Boothstown won with the only goal of the game in the closing minutes from Dario MARINI, but the young Rose team showed that they will have a good impact in the division.

Another close encounter saw Bollington United take victory with the only goal of their game at Abacus Media. Elsewhere, new look AFC Oldham came out on top 2-0 over new boys Manchester South End.

There was a seven-goal thriller at newly promoted Chadderton Cott with Trafford United delighted to end the game with a breathless 4-3 win.

Loads of goals in Division One with three of the games ending 6-2.

Santos were well beaten by AFC Stockport with AFC taking a two-goal lead into the break

Reece Holden reduced the arrears before AFC scored two more to increase their lead.

Kane Steel converted a penalty for Santos midway through the half but Stockport added two more to put the result beyond doubt.

Two new teams battled it out at Hough End with East Manchester Galaxy looking good in a 6-2 win over Withington Wanderers and another new team Oldham Hulmeians were also impressive in a 6-2 win over Village Manchester.

The other game in the division saw Stretford Paddock Amateurs keep up their fine pre-season form with a 3-1 win at Mellor.

The big winners in Division Two were Moston Brook Reserves who thrashed South Manchester 8-1 while Saddleworth 3D enjoyed a 6-0 victory at Elton Fold.

Another new team in the L&C is Moorside and they enjoyed a fine start to their campaign, registering a 6-2 win over Konger.

L&C Referee of the Year Mike Crump praised Manchester Rovers and Tintwistle Athletic for their excellent conduct and quality of play as Rovers won 3-1 with victory sealed with a late penalty.

The game of the day in the division saw Old StretsGregs win by the odd goal in seven at Bury Ams.

This scoreline was matched in Division Three by Old StretsGregs Reserves in their see-saw encounter against AFC Oldham Reserves and the big hitters in the division were Timperley Villa who sauntered to a 6-1 win in their local derby at Altrincham Hale.

The other game in division saw Fitton Hill All-Stars enjoy a 4-2 win over Spurley Hey.

Division A featured two new teams, Cheadle and Gatley hosting Silver Birch and C and G showed their class with 7-2 victory.

AFC Salford opened their account with an impressive 8-2 win over Urmston Meadowside and promoted Signol Athletic were too hot for Village Manchester Reserves to handle, easing home 7-0.

Heyside enjoyed an exciting debut with a ding-dong 6-4 win at Prestwich Marauders and it was also close at Newton Vikings who scored the only goal of their game with AFC Stockport Titans.

The goals continued to flow in Division B and in the local derby at Saddleworth 3D Reserves hosted Santos u23’s with strikes from Oliver Bowman (two), Jake Marsden (two) and Conal Bird seeing Santos to a 5-2 win.

Stoconians Reserves were top scorers in the league with 10-1 win over Manchester Victoria and Bury Ams B were also efficient in a 5-0 win over Moston Brook fourths.

The day was concluded in style with AFC Oldham A team sharing eight goals with Oldham Hulmeians reserves in a nerve-jangling local derby.

Action photographs below from Cheadle and Gatley (bibs) v Silver Birch (silver), East Manchester Galaxy (blue and yellow) v Withington Wanderers (red and black) and Manchester Rovers (green) v Tintwistle Athletic Reserves (blue and black).