Rochdale Online Alliance League round-up

Rochdale Online Alliance Football League

The Rochdale Online Alliance Football League season enters its final day with two cup finals at Castleton Sports Centre, home of Rochdale Town FC, to complete another entertaining and interesting campaign.

Relegated Harlequin will meet champions Weavers in the AW Trippier Cup Final (kick off 4pm) after overcoming Fothergill & Whittles on penalties in last weekends semi final. Fothergills were the better side in the first period and led at the break but Bates equalised on the hour for Harlequin when he turned his man and shot home from the edge of the box. Lomas missed a chance to win it late on for the Quins and as the game went into extra time both sides had chances to avoid the dreaded penalty shoot out but were denied by wayward finishing or good defensive work. And so penalties it had to be and Quins keeper Wayne Ankers took his cue for “hero status” tipping Fothergills fourth penalty onto the bar to send his side through to the final.

Wardle began much the brighter in the other semi final at Whittles Park though a combination of a tight pitch and typical end of season conditions, hard surface and windy day, meant quality football was at a premium. As Weavers seemed intent on argument, mainly with each other, Smith opened the scoring in the eighth minute and Wardle seemed well set to gain a measure of compensation for their disappointment in the league. A tetchy first half came to an end with Wardle still the better side though the warning signs were there as Hands came close with Weavers best two openings.
The second period saw the champions come much more into the game but goal scoring opportunities were still at a premium even and the Wardle defence was holding firm as they were pressed further and further back. In the sixty seventh minute however they were caught square at the back when a pass was intercepted by Hodson and Weavers were level. The final twenty minutes saw Weavers dominating possession without being able to relax at the back but with extra time appearing inevitable Wardle failed to clear a free kick in the final minute of time added on and Worrall forced the ball over the line from close range to break Wardle hearts and keep alive his own sides hopes of a league and cup double.

Before the AW Trippier Cup Final comes the C Potts Cup Final at 1pm between Sun Hotel and Castleton 2nds.
Perhaps somewhat surprisingly Sun ended AFC Royton’s hopes of a trophy at the end of a promising campaign for them as Andrew White (2) and Darren Dunn scored the goals to take them through by 3 goals to 1 at Rawstron Street.
The second semi final brought together the top two teams in Division 2 in Whitworth Valley 2nds and Castleton 2nds ; a difficult one to call as both league encounters, and the title race, went down to the wire. On the day Valley were too good for Castleton and excellent value for their 3-0 win only to realise an off the field administrative error has denied them a final appearance and Castleton will now face Sun in the final.

And finally… a reminder to clubs that the presentation of awards will take place at the clubs’ meeting next Thursday 20 May, at Rochdale Catholic Club commencing at 7.30pm.