Rochdale Online Alliance League round-up

Rochdale Online Alliance Football League

Syke join Weavers in the last eight of the County Cup after defeating the current holders on penalties ; Castleton record a ninth successive Premier Division victory ; A bad day for the top teams in Divisions 1 and 2 : these are the headlines after a dramatic day of league and cup action in the Rochdale Online Alliance Football League.

The current LFA County Cup holders, Hurst Green, arrived at Firgrove to be greeted by a typically sticky pitch that deteriorated as the game wore on and a Syke side full of confidence following their recent good run in the league.

Chances were limited in a game being fiercely contested in midfield as O’Brien, Thompson and Damian Matthews worked hard to get the ball up to the lone striker Highton. Hurst Green were being restricted to long range efforts and the Syke back four of Tyson, Braund, Sutcliffe and Clayton Matthews worked incessantly to ensure the cup holders didn’t claim the first goal in a tie that increasingly looked likely to be decided by the odd goal, and their commitment was rewarded two minutes before the interval when Damian Matthews played Highton in to lift the ball over the keeper for that all important breakthrough.

Within two minutes of the restart the holders were level following a smart turn and shot from ten yards by Graham and for the next ten minutes Syke were definitely on the back foot and grateful to keeper Worswick for two fine saves to keep the score one apiece. A second yellow for O’Brien did absolutely nothing to help his side’s cause but as often happens the ten men were galvanised into action and the game became a classic cut and thrust encounter, though it was Worswick to the rescue in the dying moments with a fabulous save to take the tie to penalties.

Curiously the respective keepers took the first penalties and it was advantage Syke as Worswick saved his opposite number’s attempt and then showed him how it should be done. Hurst Green netted their second kick before Tyson and Bentley converted their attempts and watched as Worswick saved the next two Hurst Green attempts to send Syke into the last eight and a mouth watering home tie against LAL Premier Division pacesetters Old Boltonians on December 4th.

Castleton’s ninth successive league victory was achieved in a disappointingly bad tempered game at Whittle Park with the home side in front early on after a well worked passing movement culminated in a cool finish from leading scorer Chris Holbrook. The lead was short lived as Holmes rose highest to plant a firm header beyond Whitelaw in the F&W goal and this inspired a fifteen minute spell that ultimately decided the game as F&W lost concentration and focus and Castleton’s quick incisive football brought goals in quick succession from Jenkins, McEvoy and Kearney. Nicky Holbrook reduced the arrears early in the second half and as Castleton reorganised Chris Holbrook missed a clear opportunity to reduce the deficit still further. Moments later it was game over as Milne volleyed home from the edge of the area and Chris Holbrook missed from the penalty spot even though he had two attempts to convert. Credit to referee Tim Buckley for maintaining control throughout a difficult afternoon and Castleton’s encounter with Syke this weekend promises to be a classic.

Elsewhere in the Concept Filter Products Premier Division Wardle ended their recent run of poor results, and Roca’s unbeaten league record, at Rutherford Park with goals from Armitage and Williams. Asia and Whitworth Valley shared four goals at Firgrove and there were three hat tricks in the game at Matthew Moss between Weavers and Rochdale Asia. Hodson and Hands had one each for the champions meaning Naveed’s trick was ultimately in vain.

Shocks all round for the top sides in the Matterson Cranes Division 1 as leaders Weavers 2nds slipped to their second league defeat of the season ; goals from Ghessemi and Spensley too much for them against Hargreaves at Goshen.
Jacks House 2nds failed to take advantage as they were held by Prestwich Town who took a deserved lead midway through the first half through Wild. Only an outstanding save from the Jacks keeper prevented the home side from doubling their advantage and the aptly named Lively popped up to glance a long throw onwards and into the net in the dying moments of the game to earn his side a point that on the day they rarely looked likely to achieve.

Third placed Peels Arms also missed out as they slipped to a 4-2 away defeat at ever improving Sudden Carling who netted through Beasley (2), Holt and Nelson. Peels reduced the deficit twice through Butler and Rowlatt but were second best on the day and slip to fifth as Whitworth Valley 2nds join Hargreaves on fifteen points following a comfortable 4-0 home win over bottom club Wardle 2nds. Above them courtesy of goal difference only are Rochdale Sacred Heart, beaten by goals from Castleton 2nds Oldham (2) and Jackson at Firgrove.

Similar unpredictability in the Matthew Montgomery & Co Division 2 as leaders Syke 2nds were beaten 3-2 at Greenvale by a Fothergill & Whittles 2nds outfit that find themselves in the giddy heights of second place in the table. F&W dominated the first half but had only the one goal from Woods to show for their superiority over a Syke side that offered little in return. The home side continued in the same vein and further goals from McLoughlin and Aadahl looked likely to make it a comfortable afternoon for them, only for two late Syke goals to provide a few nervous moments in the closing stages. With four seemingly winnable games between now and the festive season F&W will be hoping vertigo doesn’t affect their chances of leading the table at Christmas.

AFC Royton finally produced form reminiscent of last season as Hughes (2), King and Cole scored the goals that propelled them to victory at Jacks House 2nds and Wardle 3rds caught the bug as well, beaten 1-2 at home by Sudden Carling 2nds ; Warburton and McKeown with the goals for the visitors there.
All of which allowed Balderstone to make significant progress also with a 6-1 win at Rochdale Asia 2nds and only three points separate the top fives sides in this division after Sun Hotel were surprisingly held by Woodbank at Nuttall Park.