Depleted Dale edge Lancaster
ROCHDALE were down to a limited squad due to injuries and illness even before the game started but still had enough in reserve to defeat Lancaster.
The home side took advantage of Rochdale having a makeshift set up and playing in unfamiliar positions while they were finding their feet, breaking through several times only to be denied by keeper James Deacy.
By half time Lancaster were up by one and it could have been more.
In second half Rochdale started to press the Lancaster players giving them less time on the ball and began to play some positive attacking hockey.
The Rochdale defensive line of Eden, Vynne, Rick Borritt, Bowe and Danny Ramsbottom had to continue to work hard to deny the Lancaster attack.
Eventually Rochdale captain Michael Waddicor made a solo run twisting the defence and finding a pass into the D for Borritt to deflect into the net to level the score.
Rochdale were on the up and scored a second goal after Shepherd won a penalty corner, which was easily dispatched by Gowers from an Eden slip pass.
Borritt then gave Rochdale a two goal lead after a strong Gowers tackle resulted in the ball bouncing kindly for him – he looked up and saw the keeper out of his net and slotted the ball into the open goal.
Although Rochdale tried to shut up shop, Lancaster never gave up and pulled a goal back.
The game could have ended up a draw if not for Rochdale defender Danny Ramsbottom making a double save on the Rochdale goal line.
However, Rochdale hung on to win a close game 3-2.
James Deacy won the Oulderhill Leisure Centre man-of-the-match.