The big hockey round-up
another junior, also got on the score sheet before half time with a tap in from a cross-goal pass from elder brother Asif, only for it to disallowed by the umpire for an earlier offence.
At the break Rochdale went in 1-0 up, but it was clear they had more to offer, with very little in return from South Lakes. The second half just demanded more of the same and the victory would be there for the taking. Rochdale continued to press, Andy Meanock playing wide right was making inroads with every run. As was Bjorne Brauns, playing up front, he was causing the two South Lakes central defenders all sorts of problems with his pace. Rochdale’s dominance in the middle of the pitch created their second goal, a South Lakes attack was broke down and the ball played out wide to Meanock, making his way to the baseline he played it straight into the path of the oncoming Brauns who slotted passed the keeper.
Peter Ransome, Rochdale’s third junior on the bench, was rotating with Spanswick on the left wing and when called on, played with a level of maturity beyond his years, breaking down several attacks and quickly putting South Lakes back under pressure. It was this constant pressure that led to Braun’s second and Rochdale’s third and goal of match. Rochdale’s level of possession was such that their keeper only had one save to make all game and to top off a fantastic display Ibrahim Omar managed to get himself on the scoresheet ending the game 4-0.
Captain Karl Wynn said: “Today was a great all round performance, we were solid at the back and never looked in trouble. Myself and everyone at the club are extremely proud of the juniors coming through and the three of them that played today Jake Spanswick, Ibrahim Omar and Peter Ransome are fully deserving of a joint Man of the Match award.”
“It goes without saying that we shall miss Asif and Ibrahim Omar next year, but we wish them every success and all the very best at their new club.”
Going into Saturday’s early push back away at Stockport Bramhall Ladies, Rochdale had not played a competitive fixture for over a month. So consequently had dropped into second place in the league 2 points off the top. So it was imperative to win and keep the pressure on those around them whilst maintaining the game in hand.
Rochdale had dispatched Stockport 6-0 on the opening day of the season but the enforced month layoff showed and they were slow out of the blocks and at times uncharacteristically panicking on the ball. Stockport took full advantage and on 15 minutes not undeservingly went ahead 1-0.
Rochdale re-grouped and as the cobwebs faded began to look more like their usual selves. Ashleigh Hoyle playing on the left wing, broke into the Stockport D and leveled the game at 1-1. This was quickly followed up by Becky Knowles doubling Rochdale’s lead after Jenny Banks unselfishly played her in for a simple tap in.
Rochdale were now in full stride and if it wasn’t for an outstanding display from the quartet in defence and an inspired Stockport goalkeeper, Rochdale could have gone in at the break 4 or 5 in front.
The half time break didn’t stop Rochdale’s momentum though and the second half saw them return to their natural quick passing game. By now Stockport were finding it hard to stay with them and Hoyle went on to complete her hat-trick. The day was rounded with with a Banks tap in at the back post and the game finished 5-1 to Rochdale.
The result means Rochdale stay second, but with that all important game in hand to be played after the winter break.
The Player of the Match went to Kie Leech.
Captain Kie Leech: “We made it hard work for ourselves today early on, and a special mention should go to Kate Brammer, Paula McDonald and Nikki Mongon who kept us in the game when we needed it most.
“We need to come back after Christmas and maintain the level we showed second half and keep the pressure on the teams around us.”
Sunday saw the third round of matches in the Greater Manchester Under 15 Hockey Tournament. Going in to this round Rochdale sat top of the table with Bowdon a close second, so everything was to play for.
Rochdale’s first game of the day was against Stockport 1s, a team also looking to push to the top of the table. The 15 minute game had chances at both ends, but it was Rochdale who won the points with an outstanding individual goal from Jake Spanswick.
Didsbury were next to face Rochdale and has Didsbury have struggled this year, Rochdale used it as a game to give a debut to Ben Alker in defence and he didn’t let anybody down making several great tackles and breaking up the Didsbury attacks. Didsbury had certainly been training hard and with the new faces they had drafted in, it took time for Rochdale to break them down.
Goals coming from Peter Ransome and Tom Kershaw.
After beating Stockport 1s in the opening game, Rochdale were ready to take on Stockport 2s and by now Rochdale were playing with a great confidence and another win, albeit by a single goal from Ibrahim Omar, set them up nicely for the top of the table clash with Bowdon in the next game.
Bowdon so far have been the only team to take points from Rochdale and as expected it was a tight game. Rochdale had several early chances and were unlucky not to take the lead. But with only a few minutes left a lapse in concentration saw Bowdon twice get in around the back of the Rochdale defence for two easy tap ins.
The Bowdon result meant it was crucial to get a win in the last game of the afternoon against Timperley, who had drawn with Bowdon in their opening game. Whether it was as a result of the Bowdon match or fatigue, Rochdale stopped playing as a team. The quick passing game disappeared and Timperley took advantage, running out 2-0 winners.
The provisional set of results mean Rochdale would now be in second place 2 points behind Bowdon. A team they must start to beat if they hope to pick up the trophy at the end of the year.
The Rochdale player of the tournament went to Peter Ransome who was outstanding in all 5 games.
Rochdale knew Saturday was going to be another tough game, as for the 2nd game in a row, Rochdale only had 11 men on the day and to make matters worse, a car accident on route meant that Rochdale would only play the majority of the game with only 10 players. So South Lakes must have felt it was going to be their lucky day and they started the brighter of the two sides with the extra man being the difference.
Rochdale did manage to attack South Lakes on the break repeatedly with runs from Michael Waddicor, Keiran King and James Shepherd. But it was South Lakes who were unlucky not to go 1-0 up, after James Deacy in the Rochdale goal saved an initial shot, but then saved 3 or 4 rebounds with lightning fast reactions to keep the game goalless. It was a Waddicor run that broke the dead lock, running half the pitch and managing to pick out the open King so that he could fire a shot into the bottom left to make it 1-0 Rochdale.
Waddicor was again the creator of King’s second goal as he picked the ball off the South Lakes defender and found King free at the top of the D to finish, this time in the bottom right. South Lakes did have their chances, but Rochdale’s back line of Danny Ramsbottom, Mark Eden, Andy Borritt and Mark Vynne continued to stop their forward line from creating too many. However as time passed 10 man Rochdale began to tire and South Lakes eventually found the back of the net to make it 2-1 at half time.
The second half started and Rochdale legs looked heavy from the hard first half. South Lakes began to make ground and took their chance to make it 2-2 when the Rochdale defence fell asleep leaving a player open in front of goal for an easy tap in.
Things looked good now for South Lakes as they looked likely to get a 3rd when Rochdale began to lose momentum. Having one man short and no substitutions was really telling now, and they were not helped when Waddicor went down with a rib injury, leading by example he stayed on to help out as best he could in midfield. South Lakes did indeed get their chance and took it to make it 3-2 and for the first time in the game Rochdale were behind.
Finally a bit of luck came Rochdale’s way as the ball fell kindly to Shepherd in open play around the 25 yard line. He turned a midfielder, and then weaved between two defenders before smashing the ball past the keeper to make it 3-3. With 10 minutes remaining in the game Rochdale’s 11th man Rob Lees arrived and he made an instant impact, lifting their spirts and giving them fresh legs.
South Lakes could sense the momentum shifting. With one single minute left on the clock, Waddicor dribbled into the D and won a penalty corner. Up stepped Mark Eden to smash a shot into the bottom left corner to win the game 4-3 and crush South Lakes hopes.
Rochdale Captain Michael Waddicor said “Today has been a real battle having played all but the last 10 mins with only ten men.
“It’s been a real test and I am proud to be part of a team that never gives up. James Deacy made several saves to keep us in the game, and Danny Ramsbottom also made a goal line clearance. I would have to give the Oulderhill Leisure Centre man of the match jointly to Keiran King and James Deacy, who were both outstanding all day.”