Hockey: Rochdale Men’s Seconds 4 - 0 South Lakes Men’s Seconds

Double goal scorer Bjorne Brauns

Rochdale had already beaten South Lakes earlier in November, in Cumbria and did the double to keep their momentum before the winter.

The game marked a special occasion, as it would be the last game for brothers Asif and Ibrahim Omar, who are moving on in the 2017 to a new club. Rochdale were looking to send them off in style.

Arron Hunter was out with an injury, which meant a re-shuffle at the back, bringing in James Whittaker at left back and pushing Dave Jackson into a holding midfield role.

Straight from the off Rochdale pushed South Lakes onto the back foot, dominating possession and not allowing them to settle.

Imran Ansari and Asif Omar were running the game from midfield and anything that did get past them was being picked up by Jackson.

Part of the Rochdale game plan was to utilise some of the older juniors, rotating them from the bench to give them game time and it was Jake Spanswick who came off the bench and broke the deadlock. A top D shot from Ansari was deflected high and was going just wide, until the quick thinking Spanswick came around the back of the last defender unseen and hit the ball down in to the back of the net.

Not to be outdone, Ibrahim Omar, another junior, also got on the score sheet before half time with a tap in from a cross-goal pass from elder brother Asif, only for it to disallowed by the umpire for an earlier offence.

At the break Rochdale went in 1-0 up, but it was clear they had more to offer, with very little in return from South Lakes.

The second half just demanded more of the same and the victory would be there for the taking.

Rochdale continued to press, Andy Meanock playing wide right was making inroads with every run. As was Bjorne Brauns, playing up front, he was causing the two South Lakes central defenders all sorts of problems with his pace.

Rochdale’s dominance in the middle of the pitch created their second goal, a South Lakes attack was broke down and the ball played out wide to Meanock; making his way to the baseline he played it straight into the path of the oncoming Brauns who slotted passed the keeper.

Peter Ransome, Rochdale’s third junior on the bench, was rotating with Spanswick on the left wing and when called on played with a level of maturity beyond his years, breaking down several attacks and quickly putting South Lakes back under pressure. It was this constant pressure that led to Brauns second and Rochdale’s third and goal of match.

Rochdale’s level of possession was such that their keeper only had one save to make all game and to top off a fantastic display Ibrahim Omar managed to get himself on the scoresheet for Rochdale's fourth.

Captain Karl Wynn: “It was a great all round performance, we were solid at the back and never looked in trouble.

"Myself and everyone at the club are extremely proud of the juniors coming through and the three of them that played, Jake Spanswick, Ibrahim Omar and Peter Ransome, are fully deserving of a joint man-of-the-match award.

“It goes without saying that we shall miss Asif and Ibrahim Omar next year, but we wish them every success and all the very best at their new club.”