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Struggle for survival

27/ 3/2008

SOUTH Manchester’s hopes of escaping the drop from the Lancashire and Cheshire League’s Premier Division were hit when they were beaten 2-1 by Mellor.

They went behind when Paul Swann glanced home Dave Moss’ corner, only for South talisman Hector Samuels to level in the 14th minute.

The second half opened with Alex Young striking the bar with a header before South missed a glorious chance at the other end.

Mellor’s winner came with seven minutes remaining when Matt Cotton curled a free kick around the wall and inside the left-hand post.

South’s seconds moved a step nearer to the division A title as Nicky McCartan (four) and Mark Wright gave them a 5-0 win over Beechfield United.

However, Beechfield are within three points of lifting the Premier Division title after a 5-3 victory at Denton Town, coupled with a 4-3 loss for Rochdalians against Old Trafford, who leapfrogged them in the process.

Division one leaders Moston Brook moved a step nearer to the title with an emphatic 4-1 win at Gatley thanks to Mike Brady, Darren Dunleavy, Johnny Munson and an own goal.

Whalley Range moved into second spot above Old Stretfordians after a comfortable 3-0 win at Cheadle Hulme Villa, given to them by Craig Stevens (two) and Matty Kulik.

Burnage Metro had three teams in action with the seconds their only winners as Ross Fowler and Paul Flanagan gave them a 2-1 victory against Hazel Grove.

Metro’s A side lost 3-0 to Gatley’s seconds, while Luke Brunker and an own goal provided the B team’s consolations in their 4-2 defeat against Old Stretfordians.

Martin McVarney gave Whalley Range’s A squad a 1-1 draw with Chorltonians’ seconds, the outcome of the derby between Chorlts B and Bedians B.

Elsewhere, Bedians’ seconds drew 3-3 with Rochdalians and there was a 0-0 draw between Parrs Wood Celtic’s seconds and Oldham AFC.