After a very welcome dry week it was back into full action with an exciting programme of league and cup matches.
It was the preliminary round for domestic cup competitions and in the Rhodes Cup for Premier Division, there was an incredible game at Premier Division high flyers Bedians as they hosted Stoconians from the lower reaches of Division One.
Bedians were shellshocked after going down 0-3 after just 20 minutes with a 100% ratio of three shots, three goals.
Bedians rallied and Eric Ageymang scored two before the break and completed his hat-trick early in the second half with Stoconians defending deep.
After an hour Bedians led 6-3 with 17-year-old Joey Richardson scoring his first goal of the season and adding to it were Jack Cooper and Ageymang with his fourth.
Stocs hit back to make it 6-5 but that man Ageymang added two more to complete his double-hat-trick with Stocs adding another for a breathless 8-6 win for the hosts.
All credit to Stoconians whose performance was outstanding pushing Bedians all the way and the game was well officiated by young Arthur Beddows who will go a long way in refereeing.
It was also close at Village Manchester as they took on Hattersley. The game ended at 3-3 with Village keeping their nerve to win the penalty shoot-out 4-2.
Elsewhere, there was a comfortable 6-1 win for Pro United entertaining Moston Brook Reserves and Trafford Reserves had few problems in a 4-0 win over Elton Fold.
There were some absorbing contests in the Wray Cup preliminary round for teams in divisions two and three led by Sublime Athletic ending Manchester Rovers’ unbeaten run by winning 6-4 in a feisty contest well refereed by Jason Rostron.
There was a rare goalless draw at AFC Stockport Warriors who then won a lengthy penalty shoot out by 8-7 against Trafford United Reserves.
The other two games brought wins for Spurley Hey 3-1 at Altrincham Hale and Konger FC by 4-1 at Hillgate.
The final set of cup ties were in the preliminary round of the Whitehead Cup for teams in divisions A and B.
Signol Athletic are flying high in Division B and they showed it with as they were too strong for Santos U23 winning 13-1.
Signol led led 5-0 at the break and they added another couple before Santos got on the scoresheet with an Aaron Ray penalty. It proved to be only a consolation as Signol continued to run riot adding another six strikes.
The other games were closer with 3-1 wins for Bury Ams B at Milnrow Firgrovia and Salford United at Stoconians Reserves.
Plenty of thrills and spills in league action and Premier Division leaders Salford Vics entertained Trafford United.
All the goals came in the first half and in a five-minute spell midway through the first half Vics scored four times through, Pauli Villers, Joe Axon and two from Sam Birkett.
Trafford pulled a goal back through an own goal by Harry Collins, but Josh Lawman intercepted an under hit back pass to round the keeper and make 5-1.
Vics stand in keeper Matty Taylor (normally a striker) then saved a penalty. The second half was a non event with the game being effectively over.
Abacus Media stay ten points adrift of Vics with a close 3-2 win over Bury Ams and AFC Monton eased to a 3-1 win over Hazel Grove.
Bollington United have made a slow start to life in the top flight but their recent improved form was shown to good effect at Sale Ams.
Their bright young team enjoyed an excellent grass surface led by MoM William Potts who scored twice to add to goals from Sam Jordan, Rory Robertson, Joe Cobey and Harry Ruhittan for an excellent 6-2 win which pushes them into the safety of mid-table.
Just two games in Division One and they produced comfortable wins for Chadderton Cott by 4-0 over FC Babylon, which keeps them six points clear at the top from Rushford Park who beat Richmond Rovers 7-0.
In Division Two Santos hosted top of the table Stretford Paddock Amateurs and won 4-0.
Top scorer Ben Marshall netted the only goal of the first half and Mike Patterson doubled the lead and then won a penalty for which Ryan McConkie converted. Patterson wrapped up the match with his second strike.
The win moves Santos into top spot on goal difference with two games in hand.
The other games produced victories for Abacus Media Reserves by 7-1 over Cavaliers, Mellor Reserves by 4-2 at Tintwistle Athletic reserves and a squeaky 1-0 win for Didsbury at Old StretsGregs.
With the top two teams in Division Three in cup action Old StretsGregs Reserves were unable to close the gap as they lost 4-2 to visiting Village Manchester Reserves.
Broadheath Central also dropped points as they shared the spoils 1-1 with South Manchester and Saddleworth 3D stay in the top group with a 3-0 win at Heywood St James reserves.
Division A leaders Waterhead beat second-placed Moston Brook Thirds 3-0 to move three points clear at the top with three games in hand.
Newton Vikings enjoyed a 5-2 win at Prestwich Marauders and there were also 3-1 wins for Didsbury Reserves at Bury Ams A and Stafford Argyle over Manchester Saints while AFC Oldham edged a 3-2 local derby win over Fittonhill AllStars.
Just two games in Division B and they were both mid-table affairs with Saddleworth 3D Reserves beating Didsbury Thirds 3-1 while Moston Brook Fourths and Manchester Village Thirds shared four goals.
Action from Pro United v Moston Brook seconds (Brook in yellow and black) Village Manchester v Hattersley (Hattersley in yellow) Sale Ams v Bollington United (Bollington in all blue).