Rochdale Online Alliance: Weavers increased their lead at the top of the Concept Filter Products Premier Division to five points after a comprehensive 7-2 victory over Asia.

After a niggly opening few minutes it was the bottom-placed side that took the lead through Shamas Ahmed.

Both teams continued to play good football but Weavers were beginning to become irritated by the fact they still trailed – until a typical piece of opportunism from Nicky Hands drew them level on 33 minutes.

The "agreed order" appeared to have been restored when Hands was the man with the eye for a goal once again, only for Sazadul Haque to bring down a long ball out of defence, wrong foot the Weavers defence and lift a

finish over the stranded keeper for a brilliant equaliser on the cusp of half-time.

Weavers were back in front just three minutes into the second period when substitute Sam Butterworth was pulled down by Zaigham Khan. Asia protests fell on deaf ears and Khan was more than fortunate to avoid a card of any colour on reflection as Hands completed yet another hat-trick.

The goal of the game then followed as Wayne Traynor intercepted a loose pass in the middle of the park and drove forward towards the right hand corner of the Asia penalty area before unleashing a tremendous cross shot into the top left-hand corner.

The same player then added a less spectacular fifth goal just six minutes later and it was effectively game over though there was still time for Butterworth to add a sixth before Tony McCarroll’s moment of glory.

Having pleaded in vain for Butterworth to set him up for the sixth goal, this time he was played in and coolly picked his spot from six yards to conclude the entertainment for the afternoon.

On a tacky surface at Rawstron Street, Fothergill & Whittles were looking to bounce back after a poor run of form and certainly worked hard enough in the opening stages with and without the ball to make life very difficult for their hosts Whitworth Valley.

With two banks of four behind Law and Aadahl, F&W looked very compact and took the lead five minutes before the interval.

Crossley, having carried the ball out of defence, decided to try his luck from at least 35 yards and the ball sailed over the astonished Valley keeper.

Valley came back out in determined fashion and pushed F&W onto the back foot, only to be undone when a defensive lapse gifted the easiest of goals for Law. Two swiftly became three when Ives headed in Beddard’s corner at the far post and though Valley created some good opportunities Platt made it 4-0 on 80 minutes after more good work from Holbrook and Law.

Player manager Martin Nuttall then introduced himself for the closing minutes of the game , but his arrival inspired Valley to reduce the deficit with two goals in four minutes.

But, much to Nuttall’s relief, his charges held on to secure a valuable away win.

A routine victory for Wardle 2nds at Rochdale Sacred Heart saw them increase their lead to eight points at the top of the Matterson Cranes Division 1 as nearest rivals Weavers 2nds slipped to a 5-3 home defeat to Balderstone.

Jopson and Shaw bagged two each and Atkinson added one more for a win that took Balderstone above their hosts and Fothergill & Whittles 2nds followed them into third place after a 4-1 home win over Castleton at Whittles Park.

Improving Rochdale Asia moved up to fifth after their third successive league victory, this time over Whitworth Valley 2nds, by the odd goal in seven at Firgrove.

There was no joy for bottom club Waggon Athletic as goals from Bamford and Berry were not enough against Hargreaves for whom Jack Grundy netted the day’s other hat-trick.

Leaders Bridge made it eight wins out of nine in the Matthew Montgomery & Co Division 2 as goals from Moore, Haynes and Riley gave them victory over White Lion while second-placed AFC Royton were held 3-3 at home by Castleton 2nds – Jackson, Ogden and Holden on the mark for the home side.

Moorcock secured a crucial advantage over a Sudden Carling side with games in hand as they overcame two Dave Devlin goals at Matthew Moss to win thanks to Alfrey (2) and Jackson, allowing Wardle 3rds to leapfrog Sudden courtesy of a points adjustment and a 5-2 home win over Horse & Farrier.

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