Rochdale Online Alliance Football League round-up

Rochdale Online Alliance Football League

Only two games beat the big freeze last weekend in the Rochdale Online Alliance Football League but there was no reward for the two clubs that managed to get their game played as they both fell to comprehensive defeats.

In the Asia Restaurant Division 1 leaders Syke travelled northwards to take on Jacks House at Walsden Rec and they had to be at their best to overcome determined opponents. It took the free scoring leaders seventeen minutes to open the scoring through Andrew Tyson’s well placed shot from the edge of the area and Scott Highton doubled the lead with a clever lob over the keeper on twenty seven. Jordan Kershaw made it three before left back Aaron Sutcliffe netted the goal of the game four minutes before half time. Having collected the ball from keeper Worswick he played a one two with Danny Kershaw before setting off on a solo run from his own half beating player after player before rounding the keeper and rolling the ball into the net. Syke’s fifth goal arrived from Wayne Traynor just two minutes in to the second period and one might have expected the floodgates to open but the hosts were determined not to let the happen and they continued to press Syke tirelessly for the remainder of the game and grabbed a deserved consolation goal with five minutes remaining. The win takes Syke eight points clear of Castleton at the top and the two clash this weekend at Firgrove – weather permitting!

In the Matthew Montgomery & Co Division 2 AFC Royton didn’t have to travel quite as far up the road to Fothergills and they came away with a 4-1 victory that takes them three points clear of season long leaders Whitworth Valley 2nds. Starting brightly they led early on courtesy of a Danny Cole penalty and top scorer Carl Lawton added a second minutes later. However, the hosts responded through Mark Halliday only for Shane Stott to break from midfield and restore Royton’s two goal cushion before half time. An untidy second half ensued with few clear cut opportunities until Danny Whitelegge completed the scoring late on.

Hopefully the forecast for milder weather will prove accurate as the top two also clash in the BKC Trophies Premier Division at Rawstron Street as Wardle put their unbeaten record on the line against Whitworth Valley, kick off 2pm for all games.