With most ECL clubs on Inter-league Cup duty Club AZ took advantage to leapfrog FC Flyers and top the table on goal difference after a 7-2 victory at Old Alts East.

Gareth Gibbons weighed in with a hat-trick and Henry Badbo added two. Defender Matt Finnerty got his first goal of the season and Jamie Collins completed the scoring. For the hosts, the reliable Nick Scholes found the net yet again and Mike Brookes scored but Alts were no match for free scoring Club AZ.

n There were mixed fortunes for the ECL sides in the traditional cup competition against their rivals from the Crewe & District League. Only three of seven teams made it to round two, with all three Poynton teams falling at the first hurdle.

FC Flyers survived a tough test against Winnington Avenue to go through to round two with a 2-1 victory. Danny Cooke’s penalty five minutes from time proved to be the winner after the sides had been locked at 1-1 for most of the game, Scott McGowan having given Flyers the lead.

Also through go High Lane after they overcame Rudheath Social by the odd goal in five. Adam Jarrad scored twice and Dave Wilde added a third for the hosts with Rick Maddocks and Andy Moore replying.

Previous winners Mary Dendy made it through to the next round with their first win of the season, against Barnton. Facing two of their ex-players Dendy were determined to show they meant business and were two up inside half an hour, through Matt Morris and Joe Ragdale but shortly before half time Barnton pulled a goal back after a cross from Paul Richardson forced a great double save from Matt Robinson, the ball ricocheting in off the unlucky James Curbishley.

Joe Ragdale made it 3-1 on 64 minutes but with 15 minutes remaining Mark Southam leapt to meet Ben Jepson’s pinpoint cross to make it 3-2 and give Dendy a nervous last few minutes. The pressure was eased with two minutes remaining, Morris grabbing his second of the match, side-footing the ball home to make it 4-2.

Poynton Nomads were left thinking what might have been after they let a two-goal lead slip in the final 20 minutes to Sandbach Town to crash out 3-2.

Andy Kershaw and a Nish Joshi penalty had given them a great platform but goals from Tom Butler, Daz Bailey and Danny Shirtcliffe wiped out their advantage.

Poynton Village performed better this week but Toft Tornadoes proved too strong as they won 3-0 at Deva Close.

The third Poynton team to crash out were Kings as they lost 2-0 at Curshaws.

The unluckiest side were Old Alts A as they eventually lost 4-2 on penalties. Dale Peters, Mike Pascal and Dave Howard had put the visitors within 30 seconds of the second round but Bentley made it 3-3 to take the tie into extra time.

They then took the lead before Rammal Morrison made it 4-4. The came the dreaded penalties.