The latest round of the Manchester Amateur Cup did not bring much joy to the remaining L&C teams with Chadderton Cott the only team to record a victory.
They cruised through to the next round with a comfortable 5-0 win over North Walkden Reserves but it was the end of the line for Trafford Reserves who lost 6-2 to Irlam Steel Rangers, Altrincham Hale who went down 6-4 against Eccles United, and Stafford Argyle were defeated 10-2 by North Walkden.
There were close and exciting games in the Premier Division keeping the enthralling title race wide open.
A comfortable 4-1 win for Abacus Media over Trafford United keeps them on top with most of their rivals having games in hand.
One of the top games of the day was at Hazel Grove as they took on unbeaten Salford Vics.
Vics made flying start, opening the scoring in the third minute and went in at half time 4-1 up and cruising with goals from Sam Birkett (two), Josh Lawman and Pauli Viller.
Grove came out firing on all cylinders after the break to quickly pull the score back to 3-4 but Connor Faulkner’s first Vics goal put the brakes on the comeback and the game finished 5-3.
The win makes it nine without defeat in all competitions and moves Vics up to second place two points behind Abacus with three games in hand.
Sale Ams dramatically beat Pro United by notching an 89th minute from Jimmy Green, who latched onto a Cian Menzies flick before smashing into the bottom corner.
Bedians are also unbeaten but they had to graft all the way at AFC Monton to secure a thrilling 4-3 victory.
Plenty of goals also in another excellent game at Village Manchester hosting Bollington Athletic.
Good team play by Bollington saw them take a 4-1 lead on the hour with strikes from Reece Wlaker, assist Louis Henshan, Sam Jordan assist will Potts, Harry Massey, Sam Jordan assist Colin Midgley and Will Potts assist Sam Jordan.
Village kept going and added two late goals to keep Bollington on edge before winning 5-3.
In Division One AFC Stockport took advantage of Chadderton Cott’s cup action to move three points clear at the top with a 5-0 derby cruise at Stoconians.
Rushford Park kept on the heels of the top two with a thrilling 2-1 win in an excellent game at lowly FC Babylon with both teams deserving their compliments from referee John Melia.
Hattersley stay level on points with Rushford with a 4-2 win at Elton Fold.
In Division Two Santos put aside last week’s first defeat of the season at Konger FC and they got back to winning ways with a 7-2 victory over Abacus Media Reserves. The visitors opened the scoring in the first minute but goals by Ben Marshall (pen), Cullen Charnock and Tom Barnes helped Santos to a half time lead.
A penalty to Abacus reduced the arrears, this spurred the hosts but further goals from Danny Brierley (two), Will Atherton and Mike Patterson secured the victory for Santos.
The chasing pack are hot on the heels of Santos with a top game seeing Didsbury FC beat Mellor 4-0 and Rochdalians kept up their hot form with a 5-2 win over Hillgate.
Stretford Paddock Ams stay in second spot, a point behind Santos with a game in hand after a nerve-jangling 2-2 win over Konger FC.
The other game in the division saw OldStretsGregs win 3-0 at Cavaliers.
Division Three leaders Manchester Rovers were without a game but Broadheath Central were unable to reduce their lead as they lost 2-1 to Old StretsGregs Reserves.
South Manchester closed their gap on Rovers to seven points with a clinical 3-1 win over Trafford United Reserves.
Spurley Hey notched one of their best results of the season as they beat Timperley Villa 6-3.
A close contest at Saddleworth 3D ended locked at 2-2 with Heywood St James Reserves and Sublime Athletic eased to a 3-0 win at AFC Stockport Warriors.
Manchester Saints were the big hitters in Division A, beating Irlam Steel Rangers Reserves 7-2.
Reece Gibbison led the way for Saints with a hat-trick and also on target were Jami Uthman, David Cross, Morgan McKenzee and Joe Rizzo with Sam Murphy and Mark Jones getting the consolation goals for Irlam.
Moston Brook Thirds stay well clear at the top with a gritty 2-0 win over Salford United.
Brook’s main rivals Waterhead were without a game but have plenty of games in hand.
Fittonhall AllStars moved into third place as they picked up a point in a 2-2 deadlock at Bury Ams A.
The other game in the division was a close affair with a win for Newton Vikings 3-2 over Prestwich Marauders.
It’s tight at the top of Division B as AFC Stockport Titans beat Village Manchester 3-1 to draw level on points and games played with non-playing leaders Signol Athletic.
Rushford Park Reserves are just a point behind the top two after a big 8-1 win over AFC Oldham Reserves
Santos U23s were defeated by Saddleworth 3Ds Reserves 6-3 in a local derby.
The visitors scored four first half goals without reply. Blessing Rashidi pulled a goal back, but Santos were soon back to four goals in arrears.
Two goals in as many minutes by Aaron Ray, one a penalty, gave Santos a glimmer of hope.
Saddleworth wrapped up the points with a last-minute goal.
The other game in the division had Moston Brook Fourths beating Stoconians Reserves 3-1.
Action from Hazel Grove v Salford Vics (Grove in red and black), Village Manchester v Bollington (Bollington in blue) FC Babylon v Rushford Park (Babylon in green and black)