League Pays Tribute to Two Club Legends

The L&C AFL and other football organisations in the area were saddened to hear of the recent passing away of two significant figures of amateur football in Greater Manchester.

Mark Wilson (Rochdalians) and Chris Carney (Salford Victoria) had been involved with their clubs for a combined total of nearly 100 years.

They guided their respective clubs to many honours – both team and individual – over the years.

To recognise their great contribution to their clubs and amateur football, all L&C games on Saturday saw the teams line up for a minute’s silence, superbly observed by all prior to their games.

It was particularly significant at Village Manchester who hosted Rochdalians in the Rhodes Cup with both teams, their officials, supporters and league officials in the pre-match silence.

The game was played in terrific spirit with both teams putting on great display.

Mark would have been delighted with the result in a close contest with Rochdalians progressing thanks to a 2-1 victory.

Village took the lead before Mark’s son Leighton Wilson levelled and it looked like the game was heading to penalties before Milan Tinani struck the winner to give a fitting tribute to Mark and see Rochdalians through to the next round.

There were a few other catch-up cup games played and in the Whitehead Cup, there was another thriller at Stockport Titans hosting Village Manchester Reserves.

The game ended locked at 2-2 and Village went through 4-3 in a tense penalty shoot-out.

There were two games in the Keith Marsden Invitational Cup and Newton Vikings had few problems in a 7-1 cruise over Saddleworth 3D Reserves. They were joined in the next round by Spurley Hey who saw off Heyside 4-2.

In the Premier Division, Bollington United increased their lead at the summit to five points after a display of clinical finishing secured a 3-1 win at Bedians.

The other game was between teams at the lower end of the table and Boothstown battled hard for a 3-2 win over Manchester South End.

With Division One leaders Oldham Hulmeians without a game, it gave the chasing pack a chance to close down their lead.

Two of them were up against each other as East Manchester Galaxy travelled to Mellor and claimed a vital 3-1 win.

Galaxy took the lead through Aidan Molloy after starting the game on the front foot and some good saves from keeper Ihsan Hameed kept them in front until the interval.

Galaxy dominated for long periods in the second half and Papa Sarr doubled their lead.

Mellor were reduced to ten men but hit back to make it 2-1 before Muhamed Jatta netted in the 90th minute to make it 3-1 and move Galaxy three points behind the leaders with three games in hand

Galaxy’s man of the match was Daanish Ejaz who played a key part of organising their defence.

Didsbury FC stay in third place, also with games in hand after a comfortable 6-1 derby win over Withington Wanderers.

Santos are never short of goals in their games and they came up trumps again with a fantastic 6-5 win over Stretford Paddock Ams.

The other game was much more subdued affair with AFC Stockport sharing two goals with Grappenhall Sports.

It’s tight at the top of Division Two with leaders Manchester Rovers suffering a rare defeat going down 3-1 hosting Old Strets Gregs.

Moorside moved above them on goal difference with a game in hand after a comfortable 6-2 win over Old Alts Thirds. The victory was secured through Luke Cosgrove's brace, plus strikes from Jason Evans, Harley Hughes, Declan Wallbank and Jordan Pye.

Plenty of goals in the other games with Moston Brook Reserves winning 7-0 at Bury Ams and Heywood St James Reserves were too hot for Abacus Media Reserves in a big 8-0 victory.

The other game was a mid-table contest which saw Konger defeat Elton Fold 2-1.

Fitton Hill All-Stars, who were without a game stay eight points clear at the top of Division Three.

Waterhead moved into second place with a 3-1 win over Stoconians as Didsbury Reserves suffered a shock 10-1 defeat by Stockport Warriors.

Altrincham Hale were also goal-hungry in a big 8-1 defeat of Moston Brook Thirds.

Defences were dominant at Trafford United Reserves as local rivals Timperley Villa scored the only goal of the game.

Just two league games played in Division A and Cheadle and Gatley’s young team beat Prestwich Marauders 4-2 to move into second place behind non-playing runaway leaders AFC Salford.

It was close in the other game with Rushford Park Reserves scoring the only goal of their game with Silver Birch.

In Division B, Matt Tattler netted four times in the first half for Stoconians Reserves who hit the top of the table for the first time with a convincing 5-2 win over Waterhead Reserves. Matt Theaker added the fifth for the new league leaders to cap off a stellar display.

Richmond Rovers Reserves moved into mid-table with a 6-3 win over AFC Oldham and Bury Ams B had a comfortable 4-1 win at Manchester Victoria.

Cavaliers put in a spirited performance but lost by the odd goal in seven to Moston Brook Fourths.