Hockey: Wigan Ladies 2nds 0 - 4 Rochdale Ladies

Gemma Hodcroft (right) scored twice for Rochdale

This weekend Rochdale were away to play Wigan 2nds, and both teams had an extra player on the pitch - the wind. Even though the weather did its best to make things awkward, both teams put in an excellent effort. Overall, Rochdale were in control of the game, with their defence able to push high to intercept and block Wigan passes frequently and using quick and sharp passes of their own to find a way back to another attack.

The first goal came from a cross from McDonald from the right hand side of the D, and Parton got a touch to deflect it towards Black who was on the left post, who managed to smack the ball into the goal.

The second goal came from an excellent bit of work between Leech and Parton on the left to work the ball into the D, before it was crossed over to the right where Lyssejko was running towards the post. Lyssejko had to go beyond full stretch to reach it as she knocked the ball over the line only to slide to the floor for her troubles.

The third goal came after almost everyone in Wigan's D seemed to get a touch to the ball, before finally a rebound from their keeper landed in the path of Hodcroft, who fired it straight back towards the left post and secured another goal.

There were several other excellent opportunities for Rochdale, including a fantastic reverse cross from Burrell on the left side of the D to the right post that just went wide, and a separate cross from Lyssejko that was just an inch out of the way of Black being able to get another goal from left post off of it. Wigan had a solid defence which was frustrating for Rochdale, but they were also occasionally able to break through as well, but Rochdale's defence kept each at bay to keep their clean sheet.

The final goal of the match came from Hodcroft again, who received a fast pass in from Collinson and converted it into a hard shot towards the left post to hit the back of the net.

The final score was 4-0, with Lily Black (1), Gemma Hodcroft (2) and Fee Lyssejko (1) as Rochdale's goal scorers.

The players of the match were Katie Burrell & Lily Black.

Team captain Dionne Collinson said: "We're showing the confidence to pass and not panic now, and it showed with such an awesome game today."

Rochdale's team:
Keeper; Claire Hoyle
Defence; Dionne Collinson, Kieran Leech, Hannah Palmer & Roisin Pickering
Midfield; Gemma Hodcroft, Fee Lyssejko, Paula McDonald & Daisy Parton
Forwards; Lily Black & Katie Burrell
Substitutes: Anna O'Mahony