Lancashire and Cheshire AFL

DESPITE some horrendous weather virtually wiping out the Saturday fixture list there was enough action during the week to see Mellor retain their 100 per cent record and establish a clear lead at the top of the Premier division.

A fluent and hard working performance on a soaked pitch against local rivals Hazel Grove saw Mellor cement their position at the top of the league.

Grove were unbeaten but Mellor took the initiative from the first minute when Terry Boon swung a cross in from the right across the six yard box with no forward close enough to take advantage.

Mellor scored first for the first time this campaign on 13 minutes when Mark Oldham lashed a 25-yard free-kick into the top right-hand corner, following a foul on Boon.

A minute later Gav Thornley made a vital save from a close range shot, which turned out to be Grove’s most threatening moment as Mellor created a raft of chances before the break.

The pattern was repeated in the second half with Craig Frisby heading just wide from a Chris Coram corner.

A 1-0 lead is always precarious but the second goal finally came. Mike Sharpe’s throw-in was turned on first time by Barry Dalby for Martin Jackson to attack at pace, turn onto his right foot and drill the ball low and hard into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

Grove launched a late rally with several high balls into the area but the defence held firm for a well deserved win.

Old Trafford lost their 100 per cent winning record as they were held to a 1-1 draw by a spirited Whalley Range, who took the lead just before the break through Wes Stafford after Range keeper Mark Drinkwater had made a fine spot-kick save.

Old Trafford kept up the pressure in the second half and got their reward with an equaliser from the outstanding Peter Maguire.

Whalley Range maintained their form and moved into mid-table with an emphatic 3-0 win at Abacus Media, who are still searching for their first point.

Netting for Range were Rob Kinsella, Matty Partridge and Aaron Wilkinson.

South Manchester looked set for their second win as they led Old Stretfordians 2-0 on 85 minutes.

Headers from Ian Rothwell and Azuku Atutu had given South the lead but after Dean Malone had pulled a goal back with five minutes left to play, Strets kept up the pressure and Malone added his second with the last kick of the game.

Bedians were made to rue a string of missed chances at Old Ashtonians who showed them how to finish, taking a 2-0 lead from just two chances.

Bedians got their reward and pulled level with strikes from Adam Sanderson and Glenn Sanderson but Ashtonians had the last word with a late winner.

Moston Brook were the only Premier team to beat the monsoon on their new pitch and they moved into second place behind Mellor as they beat Old Stretfordians 3-1.

In division one Chorltonians are the new leaders with two wins seeing them go clear of early pace-setters Eagle and Gatley.

Chorlts were too hot to handle for a young Burnage Metro team and ran out 6-1 winners in the midweek fixture.

On target for Chorlts were Darrell Hadfield (3), Andrew Pearce (2) and Steve Sandell.

Newton Heath put up a great fight in the Saturday game at Chorlts and deserved a point but were made to pay for a penalty miss by Wes Parnell after he had cancelled out the Chorlts opener by Andrew Pearce from an earlier spot-kick.

The winner came from a long looping header by Darrell Hadfield and, although both teams came close in the second half, that was the end of the goals.

Midweek action saw Eagle win their local derby with Gatley thanks to the only goal of the game and newly promoted Govan Athletic were comfortable winners over Parrs Wood Celtic.

Stoconians picked up useful points as they beat Hollingworth OB 4-3 in a real thriller then drew 1-1 with Irlam Steel.

New East Manchester are setting the pace in division two with an 8-0 win over VC United taking them above Hattersley FC.

VC succumbed to new boys Milton by 6-2 with the Milton goals flowing from Phil Hanley (3), Erran Conneran, Nick Dowsing and Gareth Tickle as VC fell apart in the closing stages after they had scored early goals from Gary Phan and Paul Byrne.

In division A Chorltonians seconds were in rampant mood against Stoconians with a 6-1 success coming via strikes from Anthony Mundell (4), Johnny Coverley and Richard Turner.

Mellor seconds also managed to beat the weather and got their reward with 4-3 win over Old Ashtonians.

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