COLDEN Common's long unbeaten run shows no sign of ending, but there's a big change in the offing for the Hampshire Division 1 champions and Intermediate Cup holders - manager Dave Riddell is to leave the club.

At Tadley on Saturday both sides agreed that the match, played on a pitch that was desperately in need of some care and attention, should never have started.

But the referee insisted, and Common rolled up their sleeves to produce a workmanlike victory that keeps the pressure on the leaders at the top of the division.

Both wings had a covering of long grass, but the central strip was a sea of mud, and Tadley, sensibly, tried to bypass it with long balls up to their strikers. That almost paid dividends early on, Simon Lemon and Simon Stillwell both having to produce goal-line clearances to keep them out.

After 25 minutes a succession of corners ended with a bitterly-disputed Common penalty - no-one seemed to know why it was given - but justice appeared to be done when Jim Hart blasted it over the bar.

Common grew in confidence, and with half-time approaching, Simon Everett and Stillwell produced a move that put Lee Kelly in on goal. He was bundled over - there was no doubt about the penalty this time - and Lemon scored the opener from the spot.

In the second half Dave Nicol had to be alert to save from the lively Tyrone Aldridge, and Common had to weather a storm of Tadley attacks.

They made the game safe just before the end when a long ball caught out the home defence and Richard Lang scored at the far post.

Common have announced that manager Dave Riddell is to leave the club for personal reasons, probably at the end of the season.

"We're very disappointed to lose Dave," said chairman Cliff Banford.

"He's fitted in very well and done a fantastic job.

"I tried to persuade Dave to stay, but his mind is made up. At least he's agreed to stay on until the end of the season while we find ourselves a replacement.

"We're an ambitious club, hopeful of deleveloping a new ground to help us to move up the pyramid, and we're interested in talking to anyone who's interested in talking to us!"

Prospective managers are invited to ring Cliff for an informal chat on 07764 235046.

Meanwhile, it's business as usual this Saturday for Riddell, whose charges take on Sporting BTC in their campaign to retain the Intermediate Cup.

Simon Lemon is likely to be missing with a groin strain, but Andy Piller is set to return.