It was first blood to the East Cheshire League in the first round of this season’s Inter-League Cup as their sides won five out of the eight ties against opposition from the Crewe and District League.

Old Alts A won a remarkable cup tie 7-6 at Crossford Bridge against Winnington Avenue who trailed 7-1 but never gave up and nearly pulled off one of the most amazing comebacks in the competition’s history.

The ECL’s form side High Lane caused a major upset as they thrashed Bentley 5-1 at the Disley Sports Ground. High Lane are really coming together as a unit this season and manager Tony Mitchell deserves full credit.

Jake Getcheffsky continues to lead the line well and he scored again to take his tally to 11 for the season. He was joined on the score sheet by the impressive Dave Wilde who scored from the penalty spot, Rob McMurdo and James Williamson, who scored twice.

Poynton Kings put their league form behind them to overcome one of the pre-tournament favourites MMU Alsager, goals from Andy Wright and Dave Brindle seeing them through 2-1.

Wilmslow Sports also went through away from home, defeating Lostock Reserves 2-0 at Jubilee Fields thanks to Dom Hadfield and Anthony Mape.

Club AZ won in style against Curshaws 4-1 thanks to their strike partnership of Lee Anderson and Gareth Gibbons, who both found the net twice to take their combined tally to 22 for the season.

Not enjoying such good fortune were Poynton Village, who went down 3-1 at home to Barnton Wanderers.

The tie involving Handforth and Tarporley Vics Reserves was decided in extra-time after the teams couldn’t be separated in 90 minutes. Twice Handforth held the lead with Joe Reidy opening the scoring in the first half and Stuart Maylett restoring their advantage in the second half but they couldn’t hold on and went out 3-2.

At Mary Dendy Fields, Mary Dendy took on Sandbach Town, the league leaders from the Crewe league. A focused Sandbach got off to a flyer, scoring through Fraser Keena inside 34 seconds but Dendy were level seven minutes later when Matty Morris powered into the penalty area to fire home the equaliser.

The visitors regained the lead on the half hour with Keena again involved, controlling the ball with his chest and volleying powerfully into the net for his second of the game.

Again Dendy came back though as Martin Brunker was first to react when Rob Pierpoint’s fizzing shot crashed off the crossbar and ran loose. With both sides evenly matched it seemed a momentary lapse of concentration would decide the game as it seemed to heading for extra-time.

Unfortunately for Dendy it was goalkeeper Ryan Fallon with only four minutes of normal time remaining. Fallon had made several excellent saves but he misjudged a lofted free kick an could only parry the ball to Anthony Evans, who gratefully poked the ball home.

Dendy tried to press for the equaliser but Sandbach scored again to seal the tie three minutes into stoppage time. A long punt upfield by Simon Hilton running all the way through to Colin Hemmings who poked the ball home.

IN ECL league action, Boarhound went to the top of the table after a devastating five-goal blitz in the second half saw off the challenge of Old Alts East.

New signing Steve Marshall scored on his debut and player manager Maurice Sutton also found the net. Further goals came from Andy Foote (2), Jake McGarry, Dave Short and Dave Barrett.