Timperley Men's 5ths 2 - 0 Rochdale Men's 2nds

Graham Broadley was named man of the match

Saturday 5 October saw Rochdale's men's second team away against Timperley men’s fifth team. It was going to be a tougher game than it might have appeared at the outset, with Timperley yet to get a win, but only having lost marginally against two good teams. The conditions were ideal, being dry, overcast and not too hot. Rochdale were a little light on numbers though, only having one substitute.

The match started in earnest, with both teams trying to take control of the game. Timperley were looking like getting on top, creating a couple of decent chances early on, which were well defended and saved by Dean Close in the Rochdale goal. The home team's press was causing Rochdale a few problems early on, as they tried to establish themselves.

​Gradually the away side managed to find a way through Timperley’s press. The central midfield trio of Affan, Andy and Dan provided pivot options, allowing the ball to find a way through to the forward lines and start creating a few chances for the visitors. Some decent top D strikes tested the keeper, but they were from a little too wide to find the backboard.

The opening goals would fall to Timperley, both from penalty corners. They were a bit lucky with the first one, as the first running defender got a stick to the shot, only to see it deflect up in the air to the near post, being struck down into the backboard by the injector for the first goal. The second was a well worked passing play, that caught the defence by surprise, allowing a quick push into the sideboard from the penalty spot.

It was by no means over. The away team dug in and created some penalty corners of their own, but couldn’t quite convert them. Rochdale also managed some good breaks down the flanks, working the ball inside, but not quite able to link the final pass together for the tap in. The half time score was 2-0 to Timperley, and after some choice words and a few strategy changes the boys in orange were ready to come out for the second half.

Rochdale made a good start to the second half. The away team managed to maintain a high line for much of the second half, with a lot of the game being played in Timperley’s half. Rochdale created several penalty corners, some good shots from open play and a couple of moves that were only inches away from being converted at the back post. Unfortunately they were just lacking that little bit more belief and fortune required to score at this level.

Timperley were not completely finished though, as they also managed to put some good attacks together. This resulted in a few penalty corners and forced a few good saves from the goalkeeper Close. The home side were unable to convert again though and the final score was Timperley 2 - 0 Rochdale.

This was a tough game, against a big club with good pedigree. Timperley's players knew what they were doing and how to create openings, taking their set pieces well. Nevertheless, Rochdale gave them a good run for their money, creating a lot of chances and limiting Timperley to two goals from penalty corners, drawing the second half 0-0. 

There is a long way to go in the season yet and if Rochdale keep performing like that, the team should eventually start getting the results to match. Man of the match was Graham Broadley, for another excellent display in defence and going forward when he got the chance. Next week the men's seconds are away against Horwich.