Hockey: South Manchester 5 - 1 Rochdale Men’s Seconds

South Manchester 5 - 1 Rochdale Men’s Hockey Seconds

Starting the game with only ten men cost Rochdale as they were well beaten by South Manchester - a player stuck in traffic and missing the opening few minutes proved crucial in the first half. 

Rochdale were quick to push South Manchester into their half with several well worked attempts into the D but with no end product.

South Manchester Rochdale hit Rochdale on the counter to open the scoring.

Persistent South Manchester pressure created a chance for a short corner which ultimately put them 2 - 0.

Rochdale's only goal of the game came when an error from a South Manchester defender was picked out by Graham Broadley, he found Dean Close on the wing who fired it across the D to Bjorne Brauns. Brauns pushed it down the middle to Andy Meanock who slipped it into Niam Willis who slotted under the keeper and into the back of the net.

The goal raised the hopes of Rochdale and definitely brought them back into the game before half time at 2-1.

Rochdale started the second half positively with some good attacks earning their first short corner of the half and with a well worked routine managed to press the keeper with a few attempts, but each was snuffed out.

As the second half ticked by, South Manchester constantly pressed in attack and Rochdale did well to keep them at bay, but when Brauns got sent off for five minutes the task became harder. 

Rochdale compressed their line up in an attempt to survive without Brauns, but South Manchester quickly added two more goals to their tally.

In the last minute of the game Rochdale conceded another short corner which was kept out by a Rochdale defenders foot on the line and hence a penalty flick was awarded.

The South Manchester player stepped up and flicked it past Brian Robinson in the Rochdale goal to make the final score 5-1.

Rochdale captain Karl Wynn said: "The guys played with heart and determination, but our lack of strength in depth within the squad showed. Once again the last 20 minutes have proved crucial to the outcome of the game."

The Atticus Trophies man-of-the-match went to Brian Robinson for "another outstanding display in goal".