PREMIER Division action in the Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur Football League was limited to two games featuring the main title contenders with leaders Whalley Range facing a tough fixture at Salford Vics.

Both teams played some fine free-flowing football but it was the clinical finishing from Range that saw them home with a comfortable 9-2 victory.

It also featured three hat-tricks from the lethal Range strikeforce, with Larnall Cole, Danny Heffernan and Rhys Jones all laying claim to the match ball.

Reigning champions Rochdalians have a game in hand over Range but remain six points adrift despite an efficient 4-1 derby win at Abacus Media.

Division One was also restricted to just two games but both had plenty of goals

With the top two teams out of action Irlam Tigers roared into third place with a 6-2 win against Old Stretfordians.

Signol Old Boys moved into fourth place as they also hit an impressive six hosting Moston Brook with Brook bagging a consolation strike.

Division Two had much more action and goals galore in the four games played.

South Manchester reserves are enjoying a great season and they were unstoppable hosting local rivals Didsbury at Chorlton High School’s 3G pitch.

South romped to a comfortable 8-0 victory which leaves them five points clear of Dukinfield Athletic who beat Oldham Vics 6-3.

Netting for South were the red-hot Josh Harper (four), Rhys Taylor (two), Chris McMahon and Mark Robbins.

But lurking behind the top two with two games in hand and both with 100-per-cent records are North Walkden and Bedians.

Hadfield Athletic beat Rochdalians reserves 5-2 and the other game saw Santos share four goals with visitors Stoconians.

There were also four games played in Division Three and a five-goal thriller at Village Manchester saw the home team convert a late penalty for victory over Spurley in a game that was a credit to both teams on an excellent surface at Trinity High School.

The win moved Village into top spot by two points over non-playing Denton Town reserves.

Chadderton Park kept in touch with the top two with a comfortable 4-1 win against Salford Vics reserves.

The other two games were close contests with Signol Athletic winning 5-3 at Elton Lib Hargreaves and Stoconians reserves triumphed by the odd goal in seven at Milton reserves.

There were also four games completed in Division A with the highlight being a 6-6 nerve-jangler between AFC Oldham reserves and Wythenshawe Wanderers.

Old Stretfordians reserves dropped their first points of the season as they shared six goals with Moston Brook seconds but the point was enough to leave them level on points at the top of the table with AFC Stockport.

Trafford United reserves also drew 3-3 with Mellor thirds and the point moved them into third spot ahead of Waterloo reserves.

Just one game beat the elements in Division B and Parrs Wood Celtic swept into top spot as they disposed of Moston Brook thirds 7-3 to move three points clear of Bury Ams reserves and AFC Oldham thirds.

There were two games played in Division C and Salford Storm reserves enjoyed the grass at Salford Sports Village with a 4-1 win against Chadderton Park reserves lifting them level on points with Irlam Tigers Rangers and their opponents on the day.

The other game saw Stoconians fourths enjoy one of their biggest wins in recent memory as they romped to a big 8-3 win at Moston Brook fourths.