It was a dramatic day of cup action with plenty of goals and cliffhangers in Round 1 of the L&C Cup competitions.
The ‘Match of the Day’ in the Rhodes Cup, for teams in the Premier and Division One, featured action between the league’s two undefeated teams, Salford Vics and Bedians which the former edged 3-2.
Salford Vics opened the scoring on six minutes through centre back Aaron Brown’s close-range header, but Bedians responded with two strikes to take the lead, before Vics’ other centre back Connor Jones scored with another header from a corner to send the sides in at the interval tied at 2-2.
The game was end to end for the next 35 minutes, but no one was able to break the deadlock until Sam Birkett waited for the ball to drop over his shoulder and hit it on the volley into the far corner, there was a bit of controversy, when the ref awarded Bedians a penalty, but after consultation with the assistant ref this was awarded as hand ball by the attacker.
Vics did have several chances in the last five minutes but these were well dealt with by Bedians goalkeeper Tomasz Koperwas.
Referee Martyn Flynn had an outstanding game as did both of his assistants.
There was another thriller at Abacus Media as the Premier Division high-flyers took on Division One’s outstanding Rushford Park and Abacus were taken all the way before registering a 5-4 victory.
It was also close at Bollington United as the home team emerged progressed thanks to the odd goal in seven over Hazel Grove.
FC Babylon and AFC Stockport shared four goals in normal time but Babylon won the penalty shoot out 7-6.
Pro United also edged a 3-2 win over Trafford United after trailing 2-0 and Bury Ams scored the only goal of their game against AFC Monton.
Division One challengers Chadderton Cott also made the next round with a 3-1 win at Village Manchester, while another close contest saw Trafford reserves win 2-1 at Richmond Rovers.
The Wray Cup for teams in Divisions Two and Three featured the ‘Derby Match of the Day’ between OldStretsGregs first and second teams.
It ended at 2-2 in normal time and the second team gained club bragging rights as they won the penalty shoot-out 4-3.
Broadheath Central scored the only goal of their game against a battling Konger FC.
South Manchester played hosts to Santos in another game which went to the wire.
The visitors scored the only goal of the first half through Ben Marshall.
South Manchester equalised just after half time with a tremendous long range effort.
Santos eventually triumphed with late strikes by Jackson Fulton and a Ryan McConkie penalty.
The other games had clearer margins of victory with Tintwistle Athletic Reserves too hot to handle in a 8-0 win over AFC Stockport Warriors.
Rochdalians eased to a 4-1 win over Sublime Athletic and Saddleworth 3D went one better in a 4-0 victory over Cup holders Didsbury FC.
Stretford Paddock Ams won 5-2 at Spurley Hey to complete the action.
The Whitehead Cup is for teams in Divisions A and B and the hottest game was at Irlam Steel Rangers hosting Rushford Park Reserves.
Rushford led 1-0 at break but Rangers battled back to end normal time at 2-2 then won a tense penalty shoot-out by 5-4.
There was another tight affair at Newton Vikings with a 0-0 draw followed by a penalty shoot out won 6-5 by Waterhead.
Didsbury Reserves were the big hitters win an 11-0 win over AFC Oldham but Didsbury Thirds lost out 2-0 at Moston Brook Thirds.
It was close in the other games with AFC Stockport Titans beating Fittonhill All-Stars 3-2, Bury Ams A scored the only goal of their game at Manchester Saints Athletic and Prestwich Marauders beat Stafford Argyle 2-1.
In the Altrincham Senior Cup Sale Ams were beaten 7-0 by Altrincham Reserves.
There were a few league games played and in Division Two Mellor Reserves kept in touch with the top three with a big win over Cavaliers.
Manchester Rovers moved five points clear at the top of Division Three with a game in hand after a comfortable 8-0 win at Village Manchester Reserves.
A local derby in Division B was won 2-1 by AFC Oldham Reserves over Saddleworth 3D Reserves to complete a hectic full programme of games.
Action from Salford Vics v Bedians (Bedes in all white), Old StretsGregs 1v2 (1 in blue), Pro United v Trafford United (Trafford in red and black), South Manchester v Santos (South Man in red and white)