Hockey: Rochdale Ladies 4 - 1 Sale Ladies 3rds

Katie Burrell (left) was named player of the match

This weekend Rochdale Ladies were playing at home against Sale 3rds. If Rochdale thought their first home match after the pitch regeneration deserved some fanfare, it showed because they played their hearts out to earn their win.

Their first goal came from a Pickering run into the D and she handed the ball off with a reverse cross to Hodcroft on her right. Hodcroft took a shot at the goal, only for the keeper to save it, but Burrell was fast enough near the right post to secure the rebound and using a reverse stick lifted it up and into the net along the right post.

Their second goal came from a short corner, McDonald injected the ball up to Pickering who handed it off to the right. Hodcroft took the shot, and from there it became a bit like pinball as Sale's keeper and defence saved or blocked the ball several times as Rochdale similarly got the rebounds. Shortly, Hodcroft got the ball back and passed it off to Burrell, who in turn deflected the ball out left and Midani ran onto it and fired the ball over the line.

Their third goal came after Hodcroft sprinted to stop a long ball going off the baseline and passed it back into play, Burrell got it under control and cracked the ball across the D where Parton had found some space to then knock it into the goal beyond the keeper's reach.

Rochdale would have probably wished the first half lasted a few seconds longer, after a sideline free hit from Leech on the left wing found Pickering in the high centre ground with a clear path onto the goal for a one-on-one with the keeper. However, the whistle went just as she entered the D without time to take her shot.

Whilst Sale did manage to get some good chances for themselves throughout the match - including a couple of short corners - Rochdale's defence were able to see them off well, including some excellent saves from Partington. Indeed, Sale's only goal came from an unnecessary save from Partington, and a sprint from Sale's striker meant she was able to shoot from the rebound, Partington took most of the force out of it with her stick, but not enough and with a dive that most would be jealous of, Partington reached to complete the clearance, only to unfortunately knock the ball over her own goal line.

Rochdale's last goal came from a left wing sideline hit by Leech to Pickering in the centre midfield. Pickering ran the ball out side and then down the right wing before crossing it to the far post where Black had run to track her, and Black got a great deflection into the goal.

The final score was 4-1, with Lily Black (1), Katie Burrell (1), Lois Midani (1) and Daisy Parton (1) as Rochdale's goal scorers.

Player of the match was Katie Burrell.

Team captain Sam Partington said: "The team had some amazing play all around the pitch: passing, pressing and shooting - they showed an all round great game today."

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