Hockey: Rochdale Ladies 2 - 5 University of Salford Ladies

Rochdale Ladies v University of Salford Ladies

Rochdale Ladies were beaten by the University of Salford Ladies at Oulder Hill on Saturday.

Rochdale started off strongly and took the lead within the first 10 minutes. Banks, who had once again put retirement from playing on hold, latched on to a forward pass by Roisin Pickering and shot past the on coming Salford keeper.

After going behind, Salford began to up their pace and within five minutes had equalised.

Salford scored again to take the lead but Rochdale continued to battle hard and just before half time Banks scored her second to make it 2-2.

In the second half  the game was very much end-to-end.

Rochdale keeper Sam Partington produced some excellent saves keeping Rochdale in the game but with just 10 minutes to go Rochdale went down to 10 players (due to work commitments) and Salford capitalised on this scoring three times in quick succession.

The defeat means Rochdale are still without a point this season.

Player-of-the-match was Sam Partington.

Kie Leech, Rochdale captain, said: “It was another difficult week for us, we are working so hard, but just do not seem to be getting any luck.

"Our squad is currently thin, due to injuries and its taking its toll on us.”