Hockey: Rochdale Men's Firsts 4 - 2 Preston Men's

Rochdale Mens Hockey Firsts

With Rochdale took all three points against Preston, as they had done in October with a 4-3 victory, to keep the pressure on the league leaders.

Rochdale started slowly and Preston looked the stronger side for the first ten minutes, having a string of chances but James Deacy, Rochdale goalkeeper, made a couple of early saves to keep the game 0-0.

Preston eventually took the lead from a defensive error as the Preston forward was allowed to walk free and finish with a first time effort.

Dave Gowers worked his way through the Preston defence to find Keiran King open in the D who chipped the ball over the on coming, sliding keeper, to level the score.

Barry Gumbley gave Rochdale the lead when he danced through the Preston defence defenders and hammered the ball just past the keeper at the second time of asking.

Gumbley made plenty more darting runs which put the Preston team on the back foot going into the half time break.

The second half saw Rochdale have more possession, keeping Preston in their own half for the rest of the game.

Rick Borritt was next on the score sheet for Rochdale after a run from Michael Waddicor and Gumbley, resulting in a save from the Preston keeper, but Borritt was there to dispatch the ball in the back of the net before the Preston defence could react.

The Rochdale defence of Danny Ramsbottom, Mark Eden, Jonathan Herreran, Tim Liptrot and Mark Vynne had kept the Preston forwards 'in their pockets' pretty much all game but a lack in concentration allowed Preston to win a short corner. Deacy was unlucky not to keep the ball out of the net as it went into the smallest of gaps, just below Ramsbottom's stick.

Rochdale responded is style, through a solo run by Waddicor from his own half, reaching the last defender and spinning 360 degrees to beat him, but could only find the cross bar as the keeper came rushing out. Rob Lees was on hand to collect the deflected ball, turn, and drag flick the ball into the back of the goal.

Rochdale Captain Michael Waddicor said: "Preston showed up with some new players and they definitely made an improvement to their side. It made things hard work, but yet again the lads dug deep and eventually took control of the game. James Shepherd ran all day in the midfield to allow the rest of the midfield to press forward.

"The Oulderhill Leisure Complex man-of-the-match went to James Deacy for several magical saves.”