Hockey: Rochdale Juniors

Rochdale Hockey Juniors

Sunday saw Rochdale juniors taking part in the fourth round of matches in the Greater Manchester Junior Hockey League. Currently sitting in second place and with it all to play for it was a pivotal afternoon for the eventual outcome.

Rochdale began slowly with a 0-0 draw against Stockport Firsts. They dominated the game, but just couldn’t find the back of the net.

The second fixture of the day saw them face bottom place Didsbury and all thoughts of a goal draught were diminished, running out 5-1 winners with goals from Tom Kershaw (3), Ibrahim Omar (1) and Peter Ransome (1).

Having only managed a draw against Stockport Firs in the opening game, Rochdale needed to get a better result against the second team to keep the pressure on rivals Bowden. Dominating possession from the very beginning it was one-way traffic throughout the game. Tom Kershaw was in his element adding a five goals to his earlier hat-trick without a single reply from Stockport.

The game of the afternoon without a doubt was the Bowden fixture. Bowden currently sat top, three points clear of Rochdale. They too had only managed a draw in the opening game, so it was all down to this result.

As with the last time these two met Rochdale dominated but just couldn’t score, despite a huge appeal for a penalty flick when Ibrahim Omar was brought down in the D.

Bowden soaked up the pressure and  caught Rochdale on the break taking the spoils 1-0.

The result meant that Rochdale needed to beat Timperley in the last game of he afternoon to stay in touch. Timperley had it all to play for as well as they were looking to leap frog Rochdale in the table. Having played all five games with no substitutes Rochdale were tired and despite chances the game finished 0-0.

The result means Rochdale stay in second place, but now eight points behind Bowden the chance of taking the title is now out of their hands. They are six points clear of Timperley in third so should finish second.

The player-of-the-day went to Sam Wilkinson, who despite not getting on the score sheet gave a tireless and unselfish display across all five games.