Seconds maintain their momentum
AFTER the poor start to the season Rochdale picked up the three points needed to keep up their recent momentum.
It was a difficult start to the game with both teams playing attacking hockey, but Rochdale took an early lead from a Dean Close goal.
The teams were evenly matched and it didn’t take long for Lancaster to equalise from a top D shot that Rochdale keeper Dave Edwards could not see until it was too late and the teams went in at half time 1-1.
The second half continued in much the same vein as the first, with both sides pushing forward.
Lancaster who scored next. Edwards had made a great save, but while back peddling to his goalline the Lancaster striker found the only possible gap and gave his side a 2-1 lead.
This was a real test now for Rochdale – in previous games this season heads and confidence had dropped.
However, they continued to take the game to Lancaster and drew level from what could be one of the Graham Burley charging in from the wide right of the goals, with a last minute dive across from the baseline he managed to get the faintest of touches on the ball, making it 2-2.
The manor of the goal only served to fire both teams up for a breathtaking last 15 minutes.
James Whittaker saved one off the Rochdale line to deny Lancaster who never gave up, but the glory went Josh Robinson.
Receiving the ball on the edge of the D and fully aware of the oncoming keeper, he neatly dragged it around him and slotted the winner into the open goal.
The game finished 3-2 to Rochdale who remain sixth in the table.
The Quat-Chem man of the match went to keeper Edwards.