Hockey: Rochdale 3 - 1 Windermere

Andy Meanock - Rochdale Men’s Hockey Seconds

After the defeat on Saturday to Blackburn, Rochdale Men’s Seconds didn’t have to wait long to get back to winning ways beating Windermere in a re-arranged home fixture on Sunday.

The two games over the weekend had put a strain on the squad and Captain Karl Wynn had to call upon Peter Ransome and Sam Wilkinson from the under 15s to step in. Both players have played cameo performances this season, but this was a real opportunity to show how far they have come with Ransome earning himself a place in the starting line-up.

Rochdale were keen to put Windermere under pressure from the off, with the midfield pairing off Imran Ansari and, back from a two-week break, Andy Meanock dominating the middle of the pitch.

Chances came early on and Rochdale were unlucky not to take an early lead but as had happened the previous day against Balckburn just seemed unable to unlock the Windermere defence.

Early exchanges saw Rochdale have the vast majoity of possession and it was totally against the run of play, when an untimely shoulder to shoulder challenge between Dave Jackson and the Windermere striker saw a short corner awarded, which Windermere converted to take the lead.

Windermere were visibly encouraged going into the half time break.

Rochdale knew that the score didn’t reflect the play, but also knew, the next goal would be crucial. The half time team talk saw Wynn change the formation pushing Meanock further up the field in to a striker role, with Graham Broadley and Dean Close rotating as the striking partner. The changes paid dividends with Meanock getting an early equaliser.

The change in momentum was tangible, Windermere looked rocked.

Dean Close put Rochdale in front not long after drawing level. Ansari running the game from the midfield and was unlucky a couple of times to not get himself on the score sheet.

Rochdale had left the best to last with their third goal, the move started deep in their own half, was played through midfield and a string of passes ended with Broadley almost at the baseline on the edge of the Windermere D. With a first time cross field strike, he drove the ball with pin point precision on to the stick of the incoming Meanock who buried in to the back of the net.

Windermere were unlucky to have a goal disallowed by their own umpire, when most on the pitch felt their was nothing wrong with it, but the 3-1 victory did not flatter Rochdale who ran out easy winners, particularly based on the second half.

Captain Karl Wynn: “We needed to win today and put the Blackburn result behind us. The squad was stretched, and a few of those that started were carrying knocks and strains from Saturday, but I have to say I’m extremely proud of the way Peter Ransome and Sam Wilkinson played. Neither of them looked out of their depth and played fantastically and I wouldn’t hesitate to call on them again. Likewise the performance Andy Meanock put in, having not trained for two weeks was oustanding, scoring two goals and earning the Quat-Chem man-of-the-match award."