The Saturday programme had an exciting mix of NWILC quarter-finals, some domestic competitions and plenty of league action.
In the North West Inter League Cup quarters between teams from the L&C and the LAL both leagues saw two of their teams progress into the semi-finals.
Hazel Grove made it through with a great display beating Chaddertonians 5-2., the lively Ryan USHER bring his shooting boots to net four goals with Layton SMITH adding the fifth.
Joining them in the last four are the outstanding young Division One team Trafford Reserves who took on LAL giants Old Blackburnians.
Trafford were superb and the game was a great advert for the competition backed by top class officials.
Old Blackburnians led 1-0 at the break but a great strike from Rob WATSON brought Trafford level only for Blacks to retake their lead soon after the restart.
Trafford then dominated the game and hit the bar twice, drew level through Ethan HASLAM and bagged a late winner when Henry BROWN converted a fine centre from Josh WOOD to secure a great win.
Hazel Grove and Trafford will now meet for a place in the Final.
In the other semis, AFC Monton lost out 5-4 in a thriller, midweek L&C scorer Dean DAVIES and Jake KIMMINS added to a brace from Ellis STEWART for the visitors at Rochdale St Clements and Winstanley St Aiden's won 1-0 at Old Mancunians in the all LAL tie.
The thrills continued in the Rhodes Cup semi-final with Premier Division leader Salford Vics given a great game by Pro United before reaching the final with a 4-3 win.
A lovely afternoon for what was set to be a competitive cup semi final at the wonderful Openshaw 4G venue.
Both teams set off keen to play with a quick early chance for Vics from a corner which just glanced over the bar.
Pro threatened with a few balls over the top but some good defending quickly put a stop to the attacks on the edge of the box.
A Vics break down the left got the ball to Joe AXON’s feet who calmly slotted into the back of the net to give Vics the lead. A good save was required from Pro keeper Liam KING shortly after.
A Vics free kick from the left presented a great opportunity to an unmarked Aaron BROWN who headed over.
Just before halftime a well placed ball through the Pro defensive line was latched onto by Vic’s Sam BIRKETT who calmly rounded the keeper to make it 2-0 at half-time.
The second half started with a Sam BIRKETT brace and another good chance put just over the bar. Vics were well into their stride with occasional promising attacks which generally were well defended.
Pro got a break with Ryan SMITH scoring from close range after a good save by the Vics keeper. Pro’s Gage JONES took a chance from twenty yards out which was just beyond the keeper making it 3-2.
Within a minute Pro hit the post. Straight down at the other end Vics were awarded a penalty which was well parried by the keeper but Sam BIRKETT followed up to get a hat-trick.
The game was alive and high tempo when Pro earned a penalty with ten minutes to play which was confidently converted by Zaid BAROUDI. 4-3!
Despite a thrilling final few minutes Vics held their nerve to secure their place in the Rhodes Cup Final
The Whitehead Cup semi-final staged at Bedians was also close with Stretford Paddock Ams beating Timperley Villa 3-1 in another excellent contest.
Premier Division action was limited but Bedians hopes of reducing Salford Vics big lead at the top was hit was they lost out 4-0 at Bollington United.
The only game in Division One produced a goal fest for Moston Brook reserves who beat Elton Fold 9-2 to move into third place, Sam TRAYNER netting six and Samuel AZOUMA three goals.
It’s hot at the top of Division Two with a 4-1 win for Rochdalians over Didsbury FC took them to the top by a point from Mellor reserves. The League's leading marksman Lewis ALTIMAS and Bruce MUCHENJE scored once and Sam HOLT twice.
Santos are also in the frame with just two points separating the top three as they eased home 3-0 at Old StretsGregs.
An early goal from Danny BRIERLEY was added to when Michael PATTERSON saw his corner find its way into the goal. The game was wrapped up with Sam RYDER’s strike.
Basement team Cavaliers put on their best display of the season losing by the odd goal in five hosting Konger FC and Jack CAVANEY bagged a brace for Cavaliers in the first fifteen minutes before suffering a close defeat.
Division Three runaway leaders Manchester Rovers took another big step to the title with a clinical 6-1 win over Old StretsGregs reserves. Two goals from Daniel HEANEY and Harry ROACHE were added to by strikes from Rob NOLAN and Adekunle OTULANA.
Saddleworth 3Ds stay in second place as they won 5-0 at Spurley Hey, Gerard FORDE was their hat-trick hero, with Joel LONGMORE and Mark JACKSON adding the rest.
The other game in the division produced a rare goalless draw between Village Manchester reserves and South Manchester.
No games for the top two in Division A and there were convincing 3-0 wins for Prestwich Marauders at Irlam Steel Rangers and Bury Ams A against Stafford Argyle.
It was close in the other two games with wins by 2-1 for Salford United over Newton Vikings and Manchester Saints over Fittonhill All-Stars.
Finally in Division B the unstoppable Signol Athletic clinched the title with a 6-2 win at Village Manchester thirds, their goals coming from Dan ROPER, Cole WORRALL, Benjamin PERRY, Thomas HOBSON, James WALTON and Thomas RUCKER.
Santos U23s kept up their good run of form and finished their season with a 3-0 victory away to Saddleworth 3Ds Reserves.
Goals were scored by Zakiullah AZIZI, Jackson FULTON and an own goal to complete an unbeaten six game run to end their initial season in the league.
Didsbury thirds eased to a 3-1 win at Rushford Park reserves and Stoconians reserves shared the spoils with Bury Ams B in a 1-1 deadlock.
Action from – 1 Trafford Reserves v Old Blackburnians (Trafford in white) 2 Manchester Rovers v Old StretsGregs 2nd (Rovers in green)