Rochdale Online Alliance Football League round-up

Rochdale Online Alliance Football League

It’s a case of as you were at the top of the BKC Trophies Premier Division as leaders Wardle overcame a potential obstacle at Rutherford Park against an in form Fothergill & Whittles outfit courtesy of goals from Darren Smith (2) and Andrew Williams, whilst their only realistic challengers Weavers triumphed 5-0 at Rochdale Asia to set up the first of two intriguing clashes between the two at Wardle this weekend.

Four goals in eight first half minutes sealed Rochdale Asia’s fate as Bradley (2) and Hands (2) stunned the home side. Weavers continued to dominate but some fine goalkeeping from Khan and spirited resistance from his team mates meant only one further goal was added by Staniland in the closing moments.

A Wardle victory would mean the title race could well be over before the two meet again in early April but any other result would surely mean the title race going right through to the last weekend of the league season.

After successive triumphs over Weavers and Whitworth Valley this correspondent described Roca Juniors as a side “capable of beating anyone on their day!” Well it most certainly wasn’t their day last Saturday as they slumped to defeat at bottom club Dusty Miller. Kaye gave Dusty a first half advantage with an acrobatic volley and the lead was doubled by Speakman late in the game. Hanson netted in time added on for Roca but it was too little too late and Dusty climb off the bottom of the table with renewed hopes of dragging Asia into the relegation battle as the season nears its close.

Syke will need to win their final league game of the season to clinch the Asia Restaurant Division 1 title after their 5-1beating of Weavers 2nds in their penultimate game. Milne opened the scoring on thirteen minutes and new signing O’Brien doubled the lead on thirty seven with his second goal in two games. Syke hit the woodwork twice and Worswick pulled off a superb double save to ensure his side reached the interval in front. Steven Faulkner netted a trade mark goal to reduce the arrears but the game’s significant moment arrived with the introduction of thirty three goal Scott Highton as a second half substitute. Within minutes he had netted twice and it was game over with Milne getting his second to end Weavers spirited resistance.

Castleton ensured Syke have to go all the way with a late winner in a tight game with third placed Hargreaves and there were comfortable wins for mid table Waggon Athletic at Jacks House, a hat trick for David Jenkins there, and Sudden Carling over Rochdale Sacred Heart at Matthew Moss.

Hibbert put the visitors in front in time added on after an evenly matched first forty five minutes but Holt equalised for Sudden just short of the hour mark. The game could have gone either way but Lamb put the hosts 2-1 up on seventy two and a Teasdale penalty sealed the points close to the end.

In this division’s basement battle Callum French scored the goal that gave Woodbank only their second league victory of the season keeping alive their hopes of avoiding relegation with games against the two sides just above them still to come.

New leaders in the Matthew Montgomery & Co Division 2 as Castleton 2nds took advantage of Whitworth Valley 2nds day off with a narrow victory over Rochdale Asia 2nds with goals from Smith and Milne.

AFC Royton kept themselves in the promotion picture with a 3-2 victory in Todmorden ; Atkinson (2) and Cole the scorers.

Elsewhere Fothergill & Whittles 2nds made it a trio of triumphs for basement clubs with a 3-1 home victory over Donkey Dodgers whilst a Darren Dunn hat trick for Sun Hotel meant Sudden Carling 2nds are now one of three clubs at the bottom on ten points.