Burgoyne brace the highlight for Dalians

ROCHDALIANS showed their strength against Wardle in the Chris Shyne Memorial Trophy Quarter final by running out 8-1 winners.

Joe Burgoyne, 18, stole the show with a fantastic performance, in which he scored a brace and contributed well to his Rochdalians’ attacking presence.

At the back, Dalian’s centre-half partnership Scott Hopley and Reece Gregory also helped to steady the ship throughout and dominated the Wardle’s attacking threat.

Despite the positive result, Mark McKormack, Rochdalians’ manager, said: “I think it was a horrible game of football. We really didn’t play very well.

“We scored early which I think settled us and we started to play better football, but we went into half-time with the game in the balance.

“In the second-half the game opened up for us and we started to score freely. Yet, I still don’t think it was our best performance going forward. We also had to thank our centre-half partnership for defending so well otherwise it could have been a different game.

“I think despite the result Wardle deserve a lot of credit for the fight and character that they also showed throughout the game.”

More positively, when asked McKormack talked about how pleased of the changes he had seen in his squad this year.

“This year the lads are showing a lot of commitment to the cause, they have started staying in on Saturday nights and are taking their games one match at a time,” he said.

Chris Petcu’s Middleton Town were 7-5 winners against Coppice United to also secure their semifinal place, whilst still having a foot in the LFA trophy.

Also into the cup semi-final, are AFC Kearsley and Littleborough who both were winners in highscoring wins.

Elsewhere Avenue scraped a 3-2 win against Jockey in the FJ Williams Memorial Trophy quarter final.

Avenue Goalkeeper Brian Farrell took to social media to celebrate the win saying: “It was a top game between us. It wasn’t a game of fluid football but was a challenge on grasping a semi-final place. Respect goes to Jockey because it was a great game. [We] continue winning domestically. Up the Avenue!”

Avenue now look to challenge in their next match, A Christine Robinson Memorial Trophy tie against Heyside.

Also, in the FJ Williams Trophy Limeside King George breezed past Manchester Swifts, whilst Newhey Rovers and Prestley both secured a place in the semi-final.