Manchester Walking Football April 2017 – Heywood Gets Better & Better

Manchester Walking Football April 2017, Heywood gets better and better was one social media comment online yesterday. If this is the general impression, it’s good to know that we are at least doing something right.

Unlike some other tournaments and leagues, especially the Over 50’s ones, this is becoming a friendly league with teams getting to know each other and showing mutual respect. We all know there are bound to be the odd incidents when competition is involved but hopefully they can be kept to a minimum. At least running and over physical contact are being controlled by our excellent group of referees. Thanks guys, we all know your job is a thankless task but if not always congratulated, it’s certainly appreciated.

Once again the Manchester Walking Football April 2017 session was a great exhibition of walking football and shows that the ethos of the game can be upheld by us older players, if not the younger ones. As in March we had 2 divisions of 5 teams competing. For this session Rochdale Striders dropped down to Division 2 and were replaced in Division 1 by Bolton Wanderers.

In the 20 matches in this Manchester Walking Football April 2017 session only 15 goals were scored. Incredibly only 6 were scored in Division 1, showing just how tight and competitive this division is becoming.

In fact only 3 points separated the top 4 teams and AFC Blackpool Senior Seasiders, who were beaten 1-0 in all 4 of their games, and are now relegated, are by no means inferior to the other teams in the division. I would be very surprised if they didn’t make an immediate return to Division 1 in May’s fourth and final session.

Vintage Celtic top the table by 1 point over Rochdale AFC Strollers. There were six 1-0 victories and three 0-0 draws in the division, showing how much goals are at a premium.

The scoring in Division 2 was a little better with 9 goals scored, 6 by Nash Amblers, who collected a maximum 12 points on the day and are now promoted for the May session of the Greater Manchester Over 60’s Walking Football Spring League. The Amblers, fielding three ex Vintage Celtic players, are now second in the combined divisions table.

With Vintage Celtic leading by 4 points, the two Tameside teams are first and second at the moment. May’s session will prove to be interesting with many tough encounters to be played before the eventual winners and runners up are declared.

Once again, in Division 2, the other 4 teams are only separated by 3 points. Newcomers AFC Blackpool Very Senior Seasiders had a mixed day with one win, one draw and two defeats, which left them in a mid table position. Three Fylde coast sides will be in contention in Division 2 May’s session to see if one of them will be promoted for the Autumn season starting in September. Of course Rochdale Striders and Maccabi Old Codgers will also have a say in this as well.

All 4 Pitches In Use At The Heywood Sports Village, April 2017. Foreground Vintage Celtic v Rochdale AFC Strollers, Background Left Bolton Wanderers v AFC Blackpool Senior Seasiders, Background Centre Fleetwood Town Flyers v Rochdale Striders, Background Right Maccabi Old Codgers v AFC Blackpool Very Senior Seasiders

The full results, tables, combined division standings and the Golden Boot listings can be seen on the Fixtures, Results & Tables tab or click here. Alternatively visit our FA Full Time webside, Division 1 and Division 2.

I am sure we are all looking forward to the final session of the Spring league in May and also to the Over 65’s Cup Tournament on 9th June.

If you have any thoughts on the Manchester Walking Football April 2017 session or the league in general, then please leave a comment below.