Rochdale Online Alliance League Round-up

Rochdale Online Alliance Football League

A significant weekend in the Rochdale Online Alliance Football League potentially as Syke produced the performance their management team had been waiting for, ironically enabling their closest rivals of last season, Castleton, to open up a ten point lead at the top of the Concept Filter Products Premier Division.

Weavers were dominant in terms of possession in the opening twenty minutes but Syke were clearly “up” for this game and their work rate and tackling nullified the Weavers possession and they went in front in the twenty fifth minute when Tyson headed in Sutcliffe’s cross for his first goal of the season. Syke struck the woodwork and Weavers missed a golden opportunity to level matters before the break and so a fiercely contested half ended advantage Syke.

The second half began at the same furious pace as the first and Traynor gave Syke valuable breathing space on fifty five minutes when he fired home after creating the opportunity for himself. With Weavers becoming increasingly frustrated it was game over just ten minutes later as substitute Fairclough, on for the impressive Matthews, made it 3-0. Both sides had chances as the game went into its final quarter and Weavers reduced the arrears with five minutes to play through Bradley but it was too little too late for the reigning champions who now have it all to do over the remaining two thirds of the season if they are to catch the leaders Castleton who had no problems overcoming bottom club Rochdale Asia with goals from Holmes (2), Davies, Jenkins, Kearney and Berry.

Further evidence of a seeming shift in the balance of power was provided at Whittle Park as Wardle slipped to an away reverse at the hands, and feet, of Fothergill & Whittles. Law and Holbrook netted the goals that take Fothergills into third place and condemn Wardle to their second league defeat in four games.

It proved a more fruitful afternoon for Weavers second string who won the match of the day in the Matterson Cranes Division 1 at Firgrove against Peels Arms. Weavers started the better side without creating any clear opportunities and Peels should have taken the lead when Pownall was through on goal but failed to round the keeper. The miss was compounded within minutes as Brophy took advantage of a mix up in the Peels defence to tap home from close range. The second half saw Weavers still dominant territorially and both sides squandered golden chances to score before Atkinson produced a quite stunning four minute hat trick to seal victory for his side. Baron and Brophy were outstanding for Weavers who can go to the top of the division if they overcome Wardle 2nds, beaten 3-0 at Castleton, this weekend.

Prestwich Town’s injury hit season continued with a home reverse to Whitworth Valley 2nds. With six regulars missing Prestwich were always going to be up against it and trailed two – nil at the break before Hall’s goal on fifty nine minutes gave them realistic hope of rescuing something from the game. However, two late goals for Valley sealed the points and moved them into third place in the table.

Elsewhere, leaders Jacks House accounted for bottom club Sudden Carling at Walsden Rec and the surprise result in this division occurred at Springhill as Waggon recorded their first league victory of the season with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over previously unbeaten visitors Hargreaves.

The big clash in the Matthew Montgomery & Co Division 2 went the way of visitors Syke 2nds who overcame Balderstone by the odd goal in nine after an enthralling encounter and that victory sends Syke to the top of the table after the shock of the day at Matthew Moss where previously pointless Sudden Carling 2nds hammered previously unbeaten leaders Jacks House 2nds 5-0! Definitely a case of not following the script as Knight (2), Kean, McKenzie and McKeown took Sudden off the foot of the table to be replaced by Horse & Farrier, beaten 4-0 at home by AFC Royton, Lawton (2), Ogden and Atkinson the scorers there.

It’s a long time since Woodbank recorded back to back league victories but that’s exactly what they managed as a result of their 3-2 away win at Rochdale Asia 2nds thanks to McNally, Kenyon and Gronow whilst Fothergill & Whittles 2nds shared the points with Wardle 3rds at Rakewood.

Our three sides through to the last 32 of the Lancashire Amateur Cup are all on the road this weekend. Jacks House travel to Prestwich FC looking for a repeat of their heroics in Round 2, as they come up against another side at the top of Division 1 of the Lancashire Amateur League. Prestwich are currently unbeaten but so were Prairie United before they met the House!

Weavers travel to Preston to take on Adelphi, conquerors of Rochdalians in an earlier round, while Syke go up the M61 to Shevington who have won both their earlier ties by the same 6-4 scoreline! So watch out for goals in that one!