Students teach Dale a lesson
ROCHDALE men’s first team were at home to a strong Lancaster University team and the speed Lancaster set off at in the first 20 minutes caught the home side off guard, enabling Lancaster to quickly run up a 3-0 lead.
The Rochdale back four were left exposed in the opening exchanges, something Jonathan Herreran made sure was put right quickly.
Once things had changed they started to get a foothold in the game.
The Rochdale midfield of Michael Waddicor, James Shepherd, Rob Lees and Bjorne Brauns, who had been brought in from the second team, carved open the Lancaster team almost at will. However, Rochdale failed to convert these early chances.
Just before the break, Mark Eden stepped up and smashed a bouncing ball from a short corner into the back of the net, making it 3-1.
The second half saw Rochdale come out the better team, but again they failed to convert chances created.
But when Waddicor picked the ball up in midfield and ran direct at goal, causing confusion in the Lancaster defence, the ball ended up at the feet of Shepherd and he struck a shot across the face of the goal to find Brauns waiting unmarked to convert.
At 3-2, Rochdale were right back in the game. However, Lancaster turned the screw and scored quickly to restore their two-goal advantage.
Rochdale struck next, scoring when a quick break down the right and a quick ball into the box was met by Dave Gowers who put it away.
But that was the last of Rochdale’s luck and Lancaster proved too much in the end with a couple of quick goals.
Captain Waddicor said: “We can hold our heads high today, despite the scoreline, we have put in a great shift against a very youthful and skilful Lancaster side.”