MELLOR leapfrogged Old Trafford to top the Lancashire and Cheshire League Premier Division after an emphatic 4-1 win over their title rivals.
Mellor had to play the last 20 minutes with 10 men after Mike Palmer was dismissed for a second yellow card after a rash tackle but still managed to add a fourth goal.
Andy Given, Craig Fairfield and Ben Been had put them 3-0 up before the visitors pulled a goal back with half-time approaching.
Craig Frisby added the fourth with a glancing header from Chris Coram’s corner in the 79th minute.
Whalley Range consolidated third place after a 2-1 win at Old Stretfordians thanks to John Murphy and an own goal.
Moston Brook climbed into fourth spot with a 5-3 win against a Bedians side who gave as good as tey got for most of the game.
However, their vulnerable defence let in Anthony Horrocks, Paul Bayro, Mike Brady and Daniel Wild with Pete McDonald and Andy Minnock on the scoresheet for Bedians.
South Manchester stayed in mid-table after strikes from Robert R Anderson (two) and Jason Vanterpool gave them a 3-2 win over Norris Villa.
Division one leaders Cheadle Hulme Villa were without a game, giving the chasing pack a chance to close down their big lead.
Taking advantage were Eagle FC with a 3-1 win over Aldermere and Govan Athletic by the same score against Newton Heath.
A depleted Chorltonians crashed 7-2 at Irlam Steel and Gatley were walloped 6-2 by Alkrington Dynamoes, while the six-pointer between Burnage Metro and Parrs Wood Celtic went Metro’s way as they won 3-1 thanks to Tom Scott, Chris McGreavy and Ramez Aleshani.
In division two, VIP FC gave hope to the pack chasing leaders New East Manchester as they shared eight goals.
Heaton Mersey moved up the table as they dispatched VC United 3-1.
South Manchester’s seconds kept in touch with the division A leaders with a 3-1 win at Old Stretfordians with Cassius Murray (two) and Liam McCulloch netting.
It was not a great day for the lower teams of Whalley Range as their seconds lost 3-0 at Rochdalians.
The thirds lost 3-2 to Old Stretfordians, Danny Williams with Range’s goals, while the fourths were hammered 7-2 by Deans with Luke and Paul Bennion scoring for Range.
Chorltonians’ seconds won a seven-goal thriller against Moston Brook with Michael Pryce, Anthony Mundell, Richard Turner and Carl McNicholls on fire for Chorlts.
The thirds beat Droylsden Ams 6-4 with Paul Warke, Anthony Haddock (two each), Keir Abell and John-Paul Mulvihill on target.
Chorlts’ fourths had Tony Hardy and Mike Chapman scoring in their 4-2 defeat against Santos, while Stuart Salmon netted the sixths’ consolation in their 4-1 loss.
Stoconians’ B team drew 2-2 with Chorltonians fifths who saw Jimmy Bradley and Andrew Fletcher on target.
Burnage Metro’s seconds lost 4-1 against Newton Heath, Paul Flanagan netting, while the thirds beat Norris Villa 2-1 thanks to Ryan Eastham and Trevor Kelly.
Metro B had a 3-1 victory over Gatley’s thirds through goals from Tom Slevin, Theo Pascoe and Paul Suliman.
The fifths cruised to a 3-0 win over Newton through Neil Talbot, Ahmed Ramadan and Marco Mazier
