League Leaders Set to Clash in Cup Final

The finalists of the Geoff Garnett Cup were decided in a busy week of action as the leaders of the top two divisions are set to face off.

RFAITS Premier Division pace-setters Bollington United were tested by Santos of Division One but ultimately overpowered their opponents to triumph 3-1.

They will play Division One leaders Oldham Hulmeians who enjoyed a comfortable 5-1 win over Stretford Paddock Ams.

In the Keith Marsden Cup semi-finals, Newton Vikings booked their spot in the finals after easing through with a 5-1 win over Santos u23 and they will play the winners of Signol Athletic v AFC Salford.

It’s tight at the top of the RFAITS Premier Division where Rushford Park closed the gap at the top to four points thanks to a pulsating 5-4 win over Boothstown, and with two games in hand, they are well placed to mount a title charge.

Third-placed AFC Oldham lost ground as they suffered a shock 4-3 defeat at Manchester South End.

Oldham Hulmeians made it a week to remember as they remain top of Division One after defeating Rochdalians 7-3.

There was a big shock for their main rivals East Manchester Galaxy who lost the their first game of the season against Rochdalians who have been struggling for form recently but ran out 3-1 winners.

Hulmeians lead by seven points but Galaxy have five games in hand.

There was an excellent game at Village Manchester as they hosted Grappenhall SC.

Village led 4-1 at the break but the exciting Grappenhall team showed their potential and desire in an end-to-end second half with Village hanging on to win 5-3.

There was plenty of action at the top of Division Two and long-time leaders Moorside kept their title hopes riding high with two victories.

In midweek they were unstoppable in a big 8-3 win over Heywood St James Reserves with Jason Evans (three), Harley Hughes 2, Jordan O’Connor, Luke Cosgrove netting.

In the Saturday game they travelled to title rivals Manchester Rovers and worked hard for a 3-1 win – their 19^th in succession – to stay six points clear of Moston Brook Reserves who edged a 3-2 win over Elton Fold after a 6-3 midweek win over Saddleworth 3D.

The other games in the division saw Saddleworth 3D cruise to a 4-1 win over Bury Ams and there were close contests with Old StretsGregs creeping to a 2-1 win at Old Alts Thirds and Abacus Media Reserves enjoying a welcome 3-2 win at Tintwistle Athletic Reserves.

It’s tight at the top of Division Three with the game between the top two Waterhead and Didsbury Reserves ending in a rare goalless draw which keeps Waterhead top by a single point

in what is proving to be a memorable title race.

Stoconians won 4-2 at Timperley Villa and Altrincham Hale Thirds won 2-1 at Moston Brook Thirds.

The top game in Division A saw Signol Athetic take a big step to the title with a tight 4-3 win at AFC Salford.

Rushford Park Reserves edged AFC Salford out of second place on goal difference with a comfortable 6-0 win over AFC Stockport Titans.

At the other end of the table Village Manchester Reserves won 3-2 at Heyside.

Division B leaders Oldham Hulmeians Reserves were held to a 2-2 deadlock at Bury Ams but stay three points clear of Stoconians Reserves with a game in hand.

Stocs came back from 2-1 down at break to beat Didsbury Thirds 3-2.

They clinched a promotion spot with a last-minute strike from the league’s top scorer Matt Theaker after he and Louis Anderson had scored the first two goals.

Plenty of goals in the other games with AFC Oldham A beating Moston Brook Fourths 6-1 and Waterhead Reserves won 4-1 at Richmond Rovers Reserves.