Wednesday 3rd December 2025
Squad
Terry Hayden
John Leech
Colin Fielding
Brian Hadfield
Rob Rowney
Les Breegan
Pete Jarvis
Manager’s report - Colin Fielding
Tameside Striders BLUES played their final 4 league games of this season and needed to do well to avoid relegation. The bottom 2 teams are relegated to Division 2, and there are only 5 teams in the league. At the start of the day we were in 3rd place, 2 points ahead of Winstanley Walkers, who were heading towards relegation with Rochdale.
We drew 0-0 in our first game against Rochdale and drew 0-0 in our 2nd game against Winstanley Walkers, so league positions were the same with 2 games to play.
However, we lost our next game to Bury Relics, and Winstanley won their next game against Rochdale, which put Winstanley above us and put us in the relegation place.
We only had 1 game to play, and that was against Corinthians who needed to win to win the league, and we needed to win to avoid relegation. It was a great game. We defended well, with Brian H, John L and Colin F defending well, and Terry H outstanding in goal. Les B and Rob R were excellent and always a danger to Corinthians . It didn't take long for Rob to leave their defenders in his wake before he smashed the ball into their net. The game finished as 1-0 win for Striders. The last 3 results against Corinthians have been wins for Striders. A great result putting us ahead of Winstanley.
Winstanley had 1 more game to play against Bury. If they won that game they would overtake us in the league if they drew. It may go to goal difference.Bury played well, and it wasn't long before they went ahead 1-0. Winstanly fought hard and played well, but time was ticking away. Finally, Winstanley were awarded a penalty with the last kick of the match and last kick of the season. The goalkeeper saved the penalty, and Winstanley lost 0-1. Winstanley were relegated and Striders are looking forward for another's season in Division 1.
What a day. Well played Striders, a great day's work.
Results & league table
https://manchesterwalkingfootball.uk/fixtures-results-tables/over-70s-league/