Football: Rochdale AFC Youth Team win league title

Youth Team secure the North West EFL Youth Alliance League title

The Dale Youth Team secured the North West EFL Youth Alliance League title with a 1-1 draw against Tranmere Rovers at the Crown Oil Arena.

Dale fell behind shortly after the interval to Josh Solomon-Davies’ lob, but equalised through Aaron Morley seven minutes from time.

A point was enough, moving them four points clear of Wigan Athletic, who still have one game left to play, at the top of the league.

Dale started well, creating a number of half-chances in the opening stages. Aaron Morley sent a couple of efforts over the crossbar from distance, whilst James Neild couldn’t get a proper connection on a header from six-yards which allowed the goalkeeper to collect comfortably.

Neil Kuemo fizzed a shot just over, before Harrison Hopper sent a dipping volley just wide of the far post after a corner had been partially cleared.

Morley saw a well-struck free-kick held by the Tranmere keeper, before he also held on to a Neild effort.

Dale had edged proceedings, but six minutes after half-time Tranmere took the lead.

Solomon-Davies latched on to a ball over the top, lobbing Dale keeper, Brad Wade, from around 25 yards with a stunning effort.

Dan Adshead saw a superbly struck volley well saved, shortly before Tranmere struck the outside of the post with a back-post header.

Kuemo turned wide a Luke Matheson low cross, and Fabio Tavares was felled as he went to round the keeper, although the referee waved away the protests.

As the game entered the final ten minutes, it looked as though Dale were heading for defeat, until Youth Team Player of the Season, Morley struck with seven minutes remaining.

He received a throw-in, turned past a defender into space 25 yards out, and curled an effort in at the near-post sparking great celebrations.

Knowing a point was enough to secure the league title, Dale were able to hold the ball in the corner during four minutes of added time, with superb celebrations at the final whistle.