Atlantic FC and Old Alts both moved to within nine points of the Division One league leaders AFC Quarry at the weekend. Atlantic overcame Sale Rovers by two goals to one after a first half brace from Ford. A converted penalty from Dolan gave Rovers hope going into the second half and despite his side having the better of it, Atlantic held on for a victory which keeps them in the title race by the skin of their teeth. Although they can still mathematically claim the title on goal difference, Alt’s 3-4 win at Cringlewood Athletic means that they are now the only potential challengers to Quarry, if any at all. Even if Alts were to win their five remaining matches (taking them to a total of 50 points), Quarry would still only need two wins and a draw from the same number of games to take Cringlewood’s crown. In the three other games played in the top flight, Knutsford FC stretched their unbeaten run to four matches with a 2-2 draw against the visiting Sale Amateurs, Heatonmoor Phoenix recorded a comprehensive 4-0 win over Old York 06 to move above their opponents into tenth place and Kartel Sports came from a goal behind to salvage a 1-1 draw against Salford AFC. McAvoy’s opener on the half hour mark was cancelled out by Torpey’s first goal for the club as the spoils were shared.

Meanwhile in the second tier, the table toppers Wilmslow Sports moved ten points clear of second placed Irlam FC thanks to a 2-4 win at Wythenshawe Town. This is pending Irlam’s result against Trafford United. Elsewhere, third placed Lounge About FC succumbed to their fifth defeat of the season at the hands of Egerton FC, who are now just one point behind their adversary with a game in hand. AFC Partington ended a run of three consecutive league defeats with a 1-2 triumph at Unicorn Athletic, however, they remain in sixth spot behind Northenden Victoria, after they came out emphatic 4-10 winners away at the bottom side Conway Rangers.