Bright opening fades from view
BOTH Rochdale men’s teams faced Golborne this weekend with the first team at home looking to build on the impressive 5-1 win in the opening fixture last weekend.
The opening 15 minutes looked as if another victory was in sight, with Rochdale strong in possession and dominating all over the pitch.
Early on a short corner was awarded to them, the injection was driven to Michael Waddicor at the top of the D and then passed out wide to Mark Eden, who flicked the ball between the oncoming keepers legs to open the scoring for Rochdale, which was nothing more than they deserved.
But, from then on, the tempo dropped. Rochdale did go on to score two more goals, both from James Shepherd adding to his impressive hat-trick last week, making it five from two games this season.
The first was a quick response to a Golborne goal, when Waddicor placed a pinpoint aerial over the top of the full back, Richard Borritt plucked the ball out of the air and drilled a delivery across the D for Shepherd to plant in the back of the net.
His second came from another short corner, Waddicor’s flick hit the post and fell at the feet of Dave Gowers, who shot at goal and Shepherd deflected it past the keeper.
The game was one that Rochdale should have won, but could have easily lost. Golborne had chances to snatch victory with two head high drag flicks cleared off the line by Jonathan Herreran. The final score was 3-3 and the Oulder Hill Man of the Match went to Brian Robinson.
Captain Waddoicor said: “The first 10/15 minutes showed what this team is capable of, if we had played like that for the rest game we would have been out of sight early on. But it wasn’t to be and we have to move our thoughts to next week.”
Rochdale’s second team had travelled to Golborne for a push back against Golborne 2s.
After last week’s opening disappointment Rochdale, despite missing key players again, needed to come away with a win to kick start the season.
The first half was a scrappy affair with the umpires having to speak to both captains. But it was Rochdale who gained the upper hand with early goals from Graham Broadley and Aaron Hunter. Golborne did pull a goal back, but at half time Rochdale led 2-1.
The second half saw Rochdale dominate and with Hunter getting on the score sheet again, Broadley completing his hat-trick and Dean Close opening his account, Rochdale ran out 6-1 winners moving them up to mid table.
Captain Karl Wynn said: “Today felt like like we had exorcised the demon of last week and was the true start to our season, we are still key players missing, but those who have stepped up to the plate and dug deep deserve a huge thank you. particularly this week Sean Carney, without whom this victory may never have happened.”
The Atticus Man of the Match went Aaron Hunter.
Rochdale ladies faced their first double header of the season this weekend with a league game on Saturday against Bolton ladies and a cup game on Sunday against Didsbury Northern.
Saturdays fixture was an early push back at 10am and the early start didn’t help Rochdale. As much as this was a chance to put last week’s defeat behind them, it was also Bolton’s opening game, so both teams had a point to prove.
The game was end to end and either team could have come away with the spoils, but it was Bolton who took the points and condemned Rochdale to a second league defeat.
Sunday’s game gave Rochdale an early opportunity to put things back on track, playing the first round of the Greater Manchester Cup, a cup which had seen Rochdale do well in last year.
Drawn against Didsbury Northern, a team Rochdale knew well from last season, the ladies felt confident going in to the game.
The game was hard fought from both teams and at he end of normal time, neither team could be split with the score at 3-3.
The tie moved to penalties and it was to be Rochdale’s day, as they ran out 2-1 winners and progressed to the round.
Captain Kie Leech said: “Hopefully this will be the spring board we need to kick start our season and allow us to move up the table.”