DEESIDE Ramblers had no answer to the incisive finishing of North League Division One leaders Manchester as they went down 4-2 at Tarporley.
Despite shipping four goals, Dee-side could not be criticised for effort and showed fantastic determination and character. Their rewards came in the shape of a goal from Will-Mumme-Young and one for Hedley Pollard following selfless approach work on his part.
Deeside's second team salvaged a 3-3 draw with Preston despite turning in a lacklustre performance.
Trailing 3-1 after 40 minutes, two quality strikes from Phil Brown and one from David Cheshire lit up an otherwise dull afternoon for Dee-side.
Deeside's third XI defeated Carl-isle's first team 2-0. Phil Winward came close before finishing in fine style and Alistair McAuliffe got the second.
Tim Salt scored for the fourth team but it was not enough as they lost 2-1 to Sale.
Deeside's fifths defeated Macclesfield 3-2 with goals from Dave Garrett, Ian Forster and Mike Cooper.
Ramblers' sixth team remained top of their league as yet another goal from Julian Osborne secured a 1-1 draw with Bramhall.
Deeside's Badgers drew 5-5 with Oxton. n Deeside Ramblers' ladies team suffered back-to-back defeats over the weekend.
They lost 4-0 at home to Premier Division leaders Springfield in the North League before being beaten 8-0 by Loughborough Students in the National Cup.
Against Springfield, Deeside keeeper Ruth Willis was cruelly beaten by two penalties and against Loughborough, they showed their tenacity by keeping the score to 2-0 at the break.
The thirds lost 2-0 to Daten. They got off to a shaky start by conceding after just five minutes and fell further behind late on. nAnyone interested in playing for Deeside Ramblers should contact Howard or Dilys Dodds on 01244
300392. n Chester and District went top of the Cheshire Women's League table with a 2-1 win at Timperley thirds.
District clinched the three points after a series of penalty corners finally yielded a second goal from Alison Ritchie - adding to her fine first half effort.
