Hockey: Bolton Ladies 1 - 3 Rochdale Ladies

Katie Burrell (left) scored Rochdale's only goal

With ongoing pitch issues Rochdale Ladies organised with Bolton 2nds to play them away instead of at home this weekend (Saturday 16 November). It quickly geared up to be a good game as both teams put their all into it, and even though Rochdale got the first goals, they still required their defence to stay active to see off Bolton's attempts to push back and Partington put in some excellent saves to keep them ahead.

The first goal came from a short corner in Rochdale's favour, the ball was injected up to the top of the D where Hodcroft received it and took a shot. The keeper saved it but Knowles dived for the rebound and took her own shot. Once again the keeper denied Rochdale a goal, but before she had a chance to clear it, Parton swooped in and tapped the ball over the line to put Rochdale ahead.

The second goal came from Hodcroft putting a shift in in the midfield, where she received the ball before weaving her way around the opposition to traverse the pitch and find a way into the D before finally letting off her shot on the right hand side across to the far post. The ball passed the keeper and Parton stepped in to deflect it to make sure it went over the line.

In the second half Bolton were able to create an overload in Rochdale's D with a fast break and secured a goal. Rochdale responded with some excellent play on the left wing between Hodcroft and Midani before Hodcroft pelted the ball into the D for Black, who took her shot towards the left post, only to miss a goal by a couple of inches.

Both teams kept fighting throughout the match, and the final goal of the match was secured from a fantastic cross from the right wing by Knowles to Burrell, who took a touch before cracking the ball at the net before the gap closed.

Final score was 3-1, with Katie Burrell (1) and Daisy Parton (2) as Rochdale's goal scorers.

Player of the match was Daisy Parton.

Rochdale's team:
Keeper; Sam Partington.
Defence; Dionne Collinson, Claire Hoyle, Kieran Leech & Hannah Palmer.
Midfield; Gemma Hodcroft, Paula McDonald, Lois Midani & Roisin Pickering
Forwards; Lily Black & Katie Burrell.
Substitutes: Fee Lyssejko, Becky Knowles & Daisy Parton