Rochdale Online Alliance Football League round-up

Rochdale Online Alliance Football League

A significant weekend in the BKC Trophies Premier Division title race possibly as leaders Wardle survived a tricky looking trip to Roca Juniors whilst challengers Whitworth Valley slipped to a second consecutive home defeat against Weavers.

With both sides having been beaten the previous weekend the outcome at Rawstron Street was vital in terms of challenging Wardle and it was Weavers who edged a tight encounter by the odd goal in three. Meanwhile at Firgrove Roca set about Wardle looking to cause a second upset following last week’s victory over Weavers on the same ground. A penalty in the sixth minute gave them the perfect start but Scowcroft saved the spot kick and produced an even better save to block the follow up! Within a minute the same man produced an outstanding effort to tip Taylor’s dipping effort over the bar as his side struggled to come to terms with the difficult surface and determined opponents. As Wardle began to show greater fluidity in their play the contest evened out but it was Scowcroft to the rescue yet again on the stroke of half time with another wonderful save to deny Roca. And as so often happens the team that doesn’t take their chances! Wardle manager Ross Turner rang the changes at half time and substitutes Wood and Brierley played key roles in putting the visitors three goals up inside the first ten minutes of the second half. A snap shot from Wood from the edge of the area found its way past a number of bodies and the unsighted Roca keeper to break the deadlock and then a deep cross to the far post was headed back across the face of the keeper and in by Ingham to make it 2-0. A knock on was then helped in by Wood and suddenly Roca were out of a game they had looked the more likely winners of just ten minutes previously. The elusive Taylor finally got the goal his efforts deserved late on only for Wood to complete his hat trick with a quickly taken free kick as Roca dozed. Afterwards Turner acknowledged the contribution of his keeper known as “The Monk” and the vast improvement in his sides’ second half performance.

Draws elsewhere as Butler put Harlequin in front against Fothergill & Whittles only for Law to equalise late on for the visitors, after Quins had missed several chances to seal the game, and that rarest of amateur results at Goshen as Dusty Miller and Asia couldn’t manage a goal between them.

A visit to basement club Wardle 2nds was probably just what free scoring Syke wanted after last week’s first league defeat of the season, but with several enforced changes they were slow to start and it was Wardle who took a surprise lead in the twentieth minute. Bentley equalised before the break but as the game entered its last quarter the scores were still level – a result that would have seen Castleton able to draw level on points at the top if they win their game in hand. Enter Jordan Kershaw with a superb run and cross from the right hand side that left Wilson with a simple tap in to put a very relieved Syke side in front for the first time. The remainder of the game was played without goalmouth incident and the “scrappy” win, to quote the Syke management, sees Syke requiring seven points from their remaining four league games to secure promotion.

At Firgrove Castleton and Jacks House contested a hard fought first half, with chances for both teams, but only the one goal to Castleton after eighteen minutes. However, injuries early in the second period took their toll on the visitors and a Hulse hat trick saw Castleton through to a comfortable victory despite the heroics of the Jacks House keeper who had an outstanding game to no avail.

Just below the top two Hargreaves (3-1 winners at Woodbank) and Weavers 2nds (4-3 winners over Waggon Athletic) kept up their pursuit of a surprise promotion place, though only Castleton are realistically in their sights now, whilst at the other end of the table goals from Sloan and Jones secured the victory for Rochdale Sacred Heart that probably banishes the possibility of relegation in their first season in the league.

A crucial victory in the Matthew Montgomery & Co Division 2 at New Barn for Castleton 2nds as they defeated promotion rivals AFC Royton by three goals to one. The win takes them to within three points of leaders Whitworth Valley 2nds, narrow winners themselves, with a game in hand. Buckley (2) and Milne got the goals with Stott replying in vain for Royton.

Wardle 3rds remain in a strong position to benefit from any loss of form from the teams above them and they were far too strong for Fothergill & Whittles 2nds at Greenvale, whilst just down the road four goals from Andy White gave Sun Hotel three welcome points against Tod Vets as they aim to overtake Rochdale Asia 2nds who were 3-1 winners on the day at Matthew Moss against bottom club Sudden Carling 2nds.
The picture at the top of Division 2 may well be a lot clearer come Saturday tea time….or perhaps not! as first play third at Rawstron Street and second play fourth at Firgrove. What is certain is that both sets of visitors cannot afford to be beaten.