ROAFL round-up

Rochdale Online Alliance Football League

Five weeks into the Rochdale Online Alliance Football League season and a glance at the Concept Filter Products Premier Division might suggest that new boys Castleton have already taken what may well prove to be a significant lead in the table.

A Ryan Altimas hat-trick plus goals from Hayes, Holmes and Jenkins gave them a fifth successive league victory at Springhill Sports Centre against an outclassed Roca Juniors outfit relieved to hear the final whistle.

Champions Weavers endured a frustrating afternoon as Fothergill & Whittles continued their strong run of results against them with a 3-3 draw at Matthew Moss 3G. Weavers are now seven points behind, albeit with a game in hand, and may already have one eye on their 8 January clash.

Wardle moved smoothly into a two goal lead against Asia at Hopwood Hall with Wood opening the scoring after eleven minutes and then turning provider for Brierley to make it two. Wood sustained a serious injury in the process that will keep him out of action for a considerable time. Smith and Williams doubled that advantage before the break but if Wardle expected a comfortable second half ride they did not get it. Asia came out fighting, scoring three and leaving the visitors grateful to Williams for his second goal that secured a narrow victory and three valuable points.

Syke fell behind in their away fixture to Rochdale Asia after 18 minutes when Metz struck from close range. The home side then conceded a needless free kick andd Traynor levelled matters from distance. Forshaw then headed Syke in front just before the break only for Kershaw to be sent off for a deliberate handball in the area. Worswick pulled off a good save from the resultant spot kick to maintain Syke’s advantage. With first team debutant Morris and youngster Clayton Matthews in outstanding form Syke wrapped up their first league win of the campaign with two more goals direct from free kicks by Traynor, completing a unique hat-trick.

With Matterson Cranes Division 1 leaders Jacks House in cup action Weavers 2nds missed an opportunity to go top when they were held 1-1 by Whitworth Valley 2nds at Rawstron Street. Faulkner opened the scoring for Weavers, a goal quickly cancelled out by Dench. Both sides had chances to win it in the second period with Atkinson drawing a spectacular save from the Valley number one and Dench hitting the woodwork late on for the home side.

Hargreaves leapfrogged Weavers courtesy of a 3-1 home win over Wardle 2nds with goals from Crawford, Worsley and Shine, while Rochdale Sacred Heart were comfortable winners over struggling Prestwich Town at Firgrove.

Sun Hotel’s perfect start to the season ended at Whittle Park as Balderstone continued their fine form in the Matthew Montgomery & Co Division 2 with a 4-1 victory that moves them into fourth place with a game in hand. Eastwood (2), Moseley and Petrillo got the goals.
Jacks House 2nds moved into top spot with a comfortable 3-0 win at AFC Royton and Syke 2nds are right behind them after a narrow 4-3 home win over pointless Sudden Carling 2nds thanks to goals from Cockroft, Hardman, Freer and Wilkinson.

Woodbank had a much more enjoyable afternoon as they moved off the foot of the table courtesy of a well deserved 2-0 victory over Horse & Farrier at Nuttall Park, with Hallsworth and Lucas in the goals column.

Rochdale Asia 2nds also picked up their first win bonus of the season with a 4-2 victory over Fothergill & Whittles 2nds at Greenvale. In a game hampered by strong winds Rochdale Asia made the better of the conditions in the opening half but had only a single goal to show for their possession at the break. With the wind now in their favour the home side were soon level through Sunderland, but then conceded two penalties in the space of a few minutes to throw their advantage away. When their keeper dived under one with ten minutes to go it was all up for Fothergills, with the ball did taking a cruel bounce on its way past him. A last minute consolation own goal was too little and too late.

The conclusion of the opening round of The President’s Cup saw Peels Arms dumped out by Division 1 strugglers Sudden Carling, who turned the form guide on its head. After a goalless first half the tie sprung to life when Pownall’s free kick from the half way line bounced over the Sudden keeper and into the net. If that was not bad enough it got a whole lot worse for him and his team when his opposite number, Ankers, launched a huge wind assisted kick straight in for his first ever goal in amateur football. His embarrassment appeared to have been spared as Sudden bounced back to take a 3-2 lead only for Jagger to level matters moments from the end of normal time. Lynch restored Sudden’s lead in extra time but Rowlatt’s equaliser took the game to penalties. Sudden held their nerve for a 4-1 penalty shoot out victory.

In the competition’s remaining two ties Division 1 leaders Jacks House were made to work hard for their victory over Castleton 2nds at Walsden Rec, eventually triumphing on penalties after the tie ended 1-1. Waggon Athletic seemed to have been suffering an LFA Cup hangover as they went out to Division 2 outfit Wardle 3rds.

This weekend’s big games include Syke v Weavers in the Premier Division and Weavers 2nds v Peels Arms in Division 1, both games at Firgrove, while just down the road in Division 2 Balderstone take on Syke 2nds at Springhill Sports Centre.