Hockey: Rochdale 1 - 8 Blackburn Northern

Rochdale Men’s Second’s Hockey

Saturday saw Rochdale men’s second team lose against Blackburn Northern, a team with aspirations of promotion if not the title itself this year.

Blackburn had lost their three previous fixtures going in to Saturdays game and it was clear from the strength in depth of the squad they had brought, they were looking to put a stop to the run of defeats.

The first 15 minutes was almost totally played in the Rochdale defensive third, with the ball coming straight back every time Rochdale cleared it. Blackburn attacked quickly and in numbers and by mid-way through the first half Rochdale were already three goals down.

As Blackburn began to rotate the squad, now clearly feeling comfortable with the score line, Rochdale did begin to make in-roads and chances began to appear. Try as they may though, Rochdale just couldn’t break down that last line of defence and the two teams went in at the break with Blackburn three up.

The half time break did little to change the flow of play, Rochdale had changed the formation in an attempt to stem the tide, but Blackburn’s ability to attack quickly and in numbers added to their movement off the ball proved just too much for Rochdale.

Despite pulling a consolation goal back from Dave Greenwood, Rochdale spirits were broken and Blackburn ran out worthy winners.

Captain Karl Wynn: “Today was a lesson for us all, and has laid down a marker for us to strive towards. Blackburn needed to win today if they are still to challenge for the top and we fell victim to them. Fair play to them, they taught us a lesson, but one we need to learn from.

"The Quat-Chem man-of-the-match went to Brian Robinson who saved 10 clear chances in the first half alone."