Copperpot triumph in Rochdale Online League Cup

Rochdale Online MD Pauline Journeaux presents the RO Cup to Copperpot Captain

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Bamford H&H 0 - 4  Copperpot

Copperpot completed the Sunday League equivalent of the treble following a 4-0 victory over a spirited Bamford Hare amp; Hounds on Thursday night.  Goals from Jason Kay (2), Nick Dowsing and Gareth Harrington meant they added the Rochdale Online Cup to the Chris Shyne Trophy and Newbold Tyres Premier League title they won earlier in the season. 

Copperpot started proceedings in dominant fashion and took the lead with the first attack of the match.  Good work on the left from Dowsing saw his cross elude keeper Kristian Boothman and left Harrington free on the back post to nod into an empty net.  It was the type of gift H&H knew they couldn’t give such strong opponents. 

With Michael Barker and Nick Hodson proving difficult foes in midfield, H&H had immense difficulty getting out of their own half despite some nice football at times.  As much as they tried the Copperpot midfield hounded them in all areas of the field and this caused another mistake which led to a 2nd goal on 10 minutes. 

A sloppy ball from defence allowed Harrington to play in Kay on the edge of the box and his classy finish with the outside of the boot made it look easy.  At this point H&H were under extreme pressure and it got worse 5 minutes later when a free-kick from Cooper found Kay unmarked in the area and he headed home; 3 shots, 3-0 Copperpot. 

In truth it was the least Copperpot deserved as they were showing exactly why they have dominated Sunday League football in Rochdale for as long as they have but credit to their opponents who refused to through the towel in and remained focused on playing the game in the right way.

A couple of half chances came and went at both ends with Copperpot’s Davey Luker missing the best of them after Boothman had saved a Harrington shot. 

The half-time whistle went with H&H having weathered the storm somewhat whilst knowing that anything other than total professionalism in the second-half would lead to the inevitable rout. 

H&H introduced veteran Fielding at half-time for the injured Griffiths and over the next 45 minutes they would prove worthy of reaching their first cup final in 18 years as a club.  Although the taste of victory was never realistically an option they battled hard and gave as good as they got with Andrew Jackson and Michael Ingham in midfield leading the recovery.  

Chances were at a premium, for both sides in fairness, throughout the half but with Faulkner and Collinson proving willing runners in attack for H&H they ensured that Copperpot’s Jopson and Luker had to remain on their toes at all times. 

On the hour Copperpot introduced Shelmerdine and shortly after Jepson and between the pair they created a good chance late on for Davey Luker.  Despite being arguably the league’s best player he scuffed his shot wide in uncharacteristic fashion with the goal at his mercy.  At the other end Faulkner fired high and wide with two half chances as did Ingham when presented with an open goal from 40 yards out after the keeper failed to clear properly. 

With minutes remaining Dowsing added a fourth goal after another defensive lapse and it proved the icing on the cake for the league’s best team.  The start they made to the game ensured they were always in control but they knew at the final whistle they’d been in a battle and H&H can look back with great pride knowing they’d given everything they could.  

The game marks the final match for Bamford H&H as the struggle to find enough players every Sunday morning has finally got too much for their beleaguered management team.