York amateurs beaten but scoreline flatters Hornets

Rochdale Hornets 50York Acorn 8

Head coach Alfie Hill reckoned York Acorn needed a good opening hour to have any chance of causing a major Challenge Cup upset at Spotland.

He got it, as the amateur aces were on a par with National League Two outfit Rochdale in general play. But any hopes of a shock were still pretty much over, as the Hornets showed a superior finishing ability to build a 22-2 half-time lead.

But such was Rochdale coach Bobbie Goulding's unhappiness at the fact his players had been so troubled by the National Conference outfit that he had them out on the pitch at half-time practising playing out sets.

Rochdale's varied runners had kept Acorn on their toes, but the Blue and Golds forced errors throughout, with Darren Callaghan and Mike Embleton their usual fiery selves and rest of the team following suit.

However, they weren't quite able to take advantage of field positions gained, or of chances created - if they had, it might have been a different story.

Acorn started as they meant to go on, with Tom Hill charging down a kick after a superb opening defensive set, but they were held up at the line and a slip by Jonny Liddell at acting-half lost the opportunity.

Rochdale looked sure to score soon after but Jim Elston's pass was intercepted by Danny Liddell. That counter-attack ended with Ian Brown spilling the ball - so the first three handling errors were by ex-York City Knights men.

Two other ex-Knights nearly brought Acorn the lead. Callaghan's excellent little pass put Embleton away, but the second-row was caught by the full-back and his ambitious pass gave winger Stephen Mackley little chance. He should probably have passed earlier. 

As it was, the hosts went ahead through winger Alex Brown, and Elston got a second try two minutes later, spotting space on the short side and taking the return pass, Mark Roughneen adding the first of seven conversions.

Ian Sinfield also crossed, but Acorn's heads did not drop, and a 20-metre Mackley penalty - not long after he had missed a 30-metre attempt - was the least they deserved from the opening quarter.

Rochdale's other ex-Knight, Chris Spurr, had a try ruled out as Elston's pass was forward, but they did increase the lead as excellent skills by Elston and stand-off Martin Ainscough brought the latter his first of three tries.

In between times, Joe Budd showed fine speed down the Acorn left, but was dragged into touch, arguably after the tackle was complete, yet the visitors continued to press, forcing three consecutive sets on the Rochdale line, only for the defence to stay firm and the momentum to be lost when Matt Withers was harshly ruled to have knocked-on when fielding the drop-out.

Nevertheless, Acorn peaked five minutes after the break, Goulding's half-time tactics failing to pay off as the amateurs breached his defence with a wonderful try.

Another superb pass from stand-off Callaghan put captain Embleton away again on half-way. He had Andy Gargan in support and timed the pass just right, and Gargan in turn had Budd on hand to score. Mackley converted as the Acorn support celebrated.

Confidence was high and Acorn, with nothing to lose, were happy to risk things. Luck was against them, though, as a long Callaghan pass was intercepted by Ainscough for an easy run-in. Then Sam Butterworth finished well to increase the lead.

Acorn continued to create half-chances - one break by Callaghan was particularly notable - but they forced the play at times and their execution was slightly awry.

Big substitute Nicky Caldwell knocked Alcock into next week with the tackle of the match, and home prop David Best was suitably angered by Acorn's physicality to throw punches and earn a late yellow card.

Acorn then pressed for further consolation, but Rochdale centre Mark Brocklehurst and Ainscough scored excellent counter-attack tries, the latter after a Jonny Liddell mistake close to the Rochdale sticks, to give the scoreline a flattering look.