Hockey: Rochdale Firsts 7 - 0 Didsbury Thirds

Stuart Dearden remained composed in his central defensive position

Rochdale won their second game in two days on Sunday at Oulder Hill and results mid-week and on Saturday for Didsbury Thirds meant the title was a possibility if all remaining results go in Rochdale's favour.

Didsbury showed up with a new line up that surprised Rochdale and they almost caught Rochdale off guard early, but James Deacy, in the Rochdale goal was quick to react and keep the game goaless in the early stages.

Rochdale took a little time to settle before they began to force Didsbury back.

However, slick passing, constant pressure and possession started to tire the Didsbury players.

Rochdale, reaped the rewards as Barry Gumbley and David Gowers both found the back of the net in quick succession, rifling shots past the keeper with accuracy and power.

Waddicor added a third when Gowers intercepted a loose Didsbury pass; he took it to the far left of the D before a reverse stick across the D into the path of the sprinting Waddicor who rounded the keeper before slotting the ball past a Didsbury defender on the line.

Gowers added his second of the game as a deflected shot lifted up off the keeper, Gowers was quickest to react and slapped the ball out of mid air as he fell to the floor.

Didsbury never gave up, and kept running at the Rochdale midfield and defence. They had several shots stopped by inform keeper Deacy, who had looked unbeatable all weekend.

Just before half time a Didsbury forward did get beyond the Rochdale defence, but just as he turned to fire a free shot at Deacy, midfielder Waddicor had rushed back and managed to jab the ball away.

Unfortunately the Didsbury forward could not pull out of the swing which resulted in what looked like a bad injury as Waddicor took a full force stick to the hand.

The second half began much more even and became end to end.

It was Rochdale though that continued to score.

Next was the ever improving Bjorne Brauns who impressed on another call up from the seconds. Gowers had already beaten a Didsbury defender, when he laid an under the arm pass off for Brauns who picked his spot in the far right corner.

Gumbley got his second of the game and added to his mounting goal tally this year. On a penalty corner, Gumbley skipped through the on-rushing defence before smashing the ball past the keeper into the backboard.

The final result meant that Rochdale now sit just one point behind Didsbury Thirds in second place.

With it all to play for, the title will go down to the last game of the season and Rochdale's hopes of a league and cup double continue for another week at least.

Michael Waddicor, Rochdale captain, said: "It's been a great game and a special weekend for Rochdale's first team, haaving played two big games in two days, and winning both. I couldn't ask more from the lads. Stuart Dearden controlled the show from the back line like a puppet master, and King ran tirelessly all game. It's great to be part of this team, and one I am proud to be captain of. This puts us in a promotion position, and one point behind first place with one game to go.”

The Oulderhill Leisure Centre man-of-the-match jointly went to Stuart Dearden and Kieran King.