Hockey: Didsbury Northern Men’s 6ths 4 - 0 Rochdale Men’s 2nds

Rochdale's keeper Dean Close was man of the match

Saturday 16 November saw Rochdale playing away at the Armitage Centre, against Didsbury Northern Men’s 6ths. Following a bad start to the season so far, Rochdale looked to change a few things round, to try and improve the situation. They went back to their old formation and set themselves the goal of not conceding for the first 15 minutes, also bringing back the half court press.

The match began with a Didsbury push back. The home side tried to draw Rochdale out and look for the gaps to appear. Rochdale largely held firm though and Didsbury struggled to find a way through. The away team managed a few good attacks on the counter in the early stages.​

As the half wore on, the game started to open up a bit. Rochdale were largely able to play out from the back, although were still giving the ball away a little, putting themselves under a bit of pressure. Nevertheless, they managed to start getting some possession in the Didsbury half. The away team started to switch the ball and were looking more like their old selves.​

Sadly, on the 28-minute mark, they would go a goal down. It came from a set piece. A wide strike from the top of the circle, found the injector unmarked, who swept home quickly from close range. It was a tough blow for Rochdale, who had made a good start. At least they had nearly doubled the target of not conceding in the first 15 minutes.​

That was largely the end of the first half, with just a few more exchanges of play before the whistle went. The half time score was 1-0 to Didsbury. Not a bad half for Rochdale and a lot better than it had been in recent weeks. A good pep talk from the captain and they were good to go in the second half.

​Rochdale started the second half well. The play was more open as legs began to tire. Rochdale came close to scoring a few times and won a few penalty corners. Didsbury managed a few chances of their own though, forcing man of the match goalkeeper Dean Close to produce some excellent saves. The next goal was going to prove crucial.

Unfortunately for Rochdale, it would prove to be Didsbury’s day. Trying to play out on the left, they were one pass away from breaking through Didsbury’s press. Sadly, it was picked off and the home side wasted no time in driving the ball into Rochdale’s circle. A quick pass and a first-time finish doubled Didsbury’s lead.

It was a devastating blow for Rochdale. Had they got an equaliser, it could have been a different game. Unfortunately, Didsbury would prove deadly from another penalty corner. Another strike towards the bottom corner was initially well saved by Close, but spilled straight to Didsbury’s postman, who swiftly converted. The home side would add a final fourth, as an unseen forward snuck in to deflect a cross in not long afterwards.

Rochdale kept going and practiced things, but the game was beyond them now. The final score was Didsbury 4 - 0 Rochdale.

Man of the match was Dean Close for another excellent goalkeeping display.