Rochdale Online Alliance League round-up

Rochdale Online Alliance Football League

It’s a case of one through, one out and one don’t know yet for Rochdale Online Alliance Football League clubs in this season’s LFA County Cup after all three of our clubs returned from their travels last weekend.

Jacks House travelled to Prestwich FC, currently unbeaten in Division 1 of the Lancashire Amateur League, and shocked their hosts by taking a two goal lead inside the first ten minutes, though Prestwich were back on terms by half time.
In an end to end second period Jacks were back in front from the penalty spot only for Prestwich to level again with twenty minutes to play. A game that was well contested throughout, and could have gone either way, turned in favour of the LAL outfit with two late goals and though Jacks kept going and reduced the deficit in time added on it was not enough and their County Cup adventure was over for this season.

Testimony to the progress on and off the field made by Jacks this season are the comments from the Prestwich secretary, Alan Michaelovitz, after the game: “It was a very tough game but played in the right spirit throughout against a strong, well organised side who brought a big following which made for a good atmosphere. The club are a credit to your league and we look forward to hopefully one day crossing swords with them again.”

A high quality game at the Recreational Ground in Shevington saw Syke defeat the home side by three goals to nil to move into the last sixteen of the competition and a home tie against Hurst Green or Burscough Richmond who play this weekend.

The opening stages were marked by a series of hefty challenges from both sides and the Wigan outfit seemed well in control of proceedings, limiting Syke to attempts from distance whilst creating, and squandering, several opportunities of their own. However, the second period marked a distinct about turn in proceedings that had the spectators wondering just what had happened in the respective dressing rooms at half time as Syke became encamped in the Shevington half and a goal appeared inevitable. The Shevington keeper made one excellent and one fortuitous save to keep the scores level but after keeping out Traynor’s initial attempt he was powerless to stop Highton ramming home the rebound to give the local side an invaluable lead. Shevington then lost the influential Taylor through injury and Syke nailed home their advantage with two set piece goals in quick succession to give them an unassailable lead with fifteen minutes to play. Shevington applied late pressure but never looked likely to avoid their heaviest home defeat of the season.

For Weavers it’s a case of try again this Saturday as their tie with Adelphi of Preston fell victim to the weather and they now know that a home tie with Hesketh Casuals awaits the winners.

A more productive afternoon for Weavers second string as they moved to the top of the Matterson Cranes Division 1 with a 3-1 away win at Wardle 2nds in a game sponsored by Mr Byrne of Junction 21 Chauffeurs Rochdale. In a tight first half Forshaw gave Weavers the lead and the same player made it two soon after the interval. Jones quickly reduced the deficit for the home side and Shaw then missed two clear opportunities to level matters before Weavers clinched the win as Baron nipped between two defenders to head in a cross from the right hand side. Stewart then made a double save from Sutcliffe and Shaw in the closing stages to maintain his side’s advantage in a game that both managers agreed was an excellent advertisement for Division 1 football.

With previous leaders Jacks House otherwise engaged Whitworth Valley 2nds joined them on twelve points courtesy of a hard fought single goal victory over Prestwich Town at Rawstron Street ; a defeat that sends Prestwich to the foot of the table as former occupants Sudden Carling picked up their first win of the season, 3-1 over Castleton 2nds at Matthew Moss with goals from Rushden (2) and Beasley.

Spensley put Hargreaves in front after just five minutes of their clash with Peels Arms at Goshen but the visitors equalised through Pownall and went in front before the interval when top scorer Rowlatt drilled home from close range. The advantage then changed hands for a third time as first Carey and then Worsley from the penalty spot restored Hargreaves’ lead only for Simpson to earn Peels a share of the points with fifteen minutes to play.

In an end to end game at Firgrove Rochdale Sacred Heart held the advantage for most of the ninety minutes but as soon as they went in front visitors Waggon Athletic fought back to level matters. Both keepers made a series of excellent saves and the decisive moment came with a triple substitution from Waggon with twenty minutes to play ; a move that saw them take the lead for the first time in the game to secure them three valuable points.

Horse & Farrier had a slight wind advantage for the first half of their Matthew Montgomery & Co Division 2 clash with Rochdale Asia 2nds at Firgrove and kept possession well in the opening period of the game without creating any real opportunities. Rochdale Asia then began to push Farrier onto the back foot and it was against the run of play when Butterworth opened the scoring with a well taken shot from outside the area in the 22nd minute. The lead lasted less than a minute as Asia equalised with Farrier claiming offside and the remainder of the half was dominated by the respective defences.

With the wind behind them Asia took control of the game in the second half but squandered opportunities through weak finishing and misplaced final passes though eventually they did go ahead when Munawar’s weak shot was allowed to trickle into the Farrier net. The game continued in the same vein though credit must also be given to Farrier’s resolute defending and the more frustrated Asia became the more Farrier began to believe there was something in this game for them. An 82nd minute penalty gave them that chance, as well as sparking a mass confrontation, but the opportunity was eventually squandered and Asia looked to have done just enough. However, Stone had other ideas and he was on the end of a hopeful punt into the area with little over a minute to play to level matters and earn his side just their second point of the season.

The day’s three postponements were all in this division but Sudden Carling 2nds trip to Greenvale went ahead though the Sudden lads were probably wishing it hadn’t as goals from Collins, Craw, Clark and Horton for Fothergill & Whittles 2nds condemned them to a 4-0 defeat.

It proved a good day for the Littleborough based club as the first team overcame Asia by three goals to one at Whittle Park to move them into second place in the Concept Filter Products Premier Division. Crossley, Beddard and Law scored for the home side with Younis on the mark for Asia.

A second glance at that table will confirm that Wardle are indeed lying in seventh place, just above the relegation places, with only four points from their opening five games after their latest set back, a 3-1 reverse at Springhill Sports Centre against Roca Juniors. Armitage’s goal wasn’t enough for a side who will surely come good as the season progresses, though Saturday’s trip to Castleton is perhaps not the next fixture they would have wanted, but for now Roca remain unbeaten and goals from Nabeel, Hanson and Imran were enough on the day to see them through.