Manchester Rose Move Into Last Four

With an improvement in the weather, it was back to a busy programme of league and cup fixtures.

In the Rhodes Cup Manchester Rose made it through to the semi-finals with a hard-earned 2-1 win at Grappenhall SC.

The Wray Cup saw a real thriller as Moston Brook Reserves pulled off a tense 5-4 win over South Manchester.

In the Whitehead Cup, AFC Oldham A drew 3-3 with AFC Salford and won the dramatic penalty shoot-out 5-4.

The other catch-up Whitehead Cup was also close as a lone first-half strike from Rushford Park Reserves against Oldham Hulmeians Reserves was enough to see them through to the next round.

The shock result of the day came in the Premier Division as Bedians, looking to move into third spot, hosted lowly Manchester South End who they beat 8-0 last week.

But as Bedians missed a host of chances, some clinical finishing by South End brought them a dramatic and unlikely 5-1 win and hopes of climbing to safety in the table.

Long-time leaders Bollington United stay six points clear of the chasing pack after a comfortable 4-0 win at Chadderton Cott and AFC Oldham kept in touch with an efficient 3-1 win hosting Trafford United.

Third-placed Rushford Park have games in hand on the top two and showed their intent with an entertaining 6-4 win at Richmond Rovers.

It’s getting tight at the top of Division One with the game of the day seeing Didsbury win 3-2 at leaders Oldham Hulmeians.

Didsbury moved into second place over non-playing East Manchester Galaxy and are five points behind the leaders with four games in hand.

An excellent game at Village Manchester saw Mellor come from 2-1 down to win 3-2 and move above them into fourth place.

The local derby at Santos saw them beat Rochdalians 5-2 to move into the comfort of mid-table.

Stretford Paddock Ams joined them after a close encounter at AFC Stockport saw them emerge with a 2-1 win.

It’s hot at the top of Division Two with Moorside and Manchester Rovers locked on 33 points with Moorside having two games in hand.

Moorside were 2-0 down at Old Alts A after 16 minutes but hit back in style with strikes from Rhys Roberts, Jack Smith, Ryan Beech and Ethan Phillips giving them to a 4-2 win which takes them into top spot on goal difference with two games in hand.

Manchester Rovers enjoyed a clinical 5-0 win over FC Konger with Luke Wells, Ryan Walters (two) and Matthew Glaznieks (two) doing the damage.

Heywood St James Reserves are also in the race after winning 6-0 at Tintwistle Athletic Reserves and the other game in a busy division was won by Bury Ams 3-1 over Elton Fold in a local derby.

Just two games played in Division Three as Waterhead moved into second spot behind non-playing leaders Fitton Hill All-Stars with a gritty 2-1 win at Stoconians and they overtook Didsbury Reserves who were held 1-1 at Altrincham Hale.

The top two in Division A were out of league action and Cheadle and Gatley closed the gap on them with big 8-1 win at Urmston Meadowside.

Heyside moved away from the bottom two with a hard-earned 2-1 win over AFC Stockport Titans and Silver Birch and Village Manchester Reserves shared four goals.

In Division B, Stoconians Reserves moved to a within a point of leaders Oldham Hulmeians Reserves after a comfortable 5-1 win at Cavaliers and Waterhead Reserves stay in third spot after a nervy 1-0 win at Didsbury Thirds.