Rochdale Online Alliance League round-up

Rochdale Online Alliance Football League

As the Rochdale Online Alliance Football League season nears its close there remains more questions to be answered than have already been answered – a testimony to the competitive nature of all three divisions this season.

At the right end of the Concept Filter Products Premier Division whilst Castleton had the hallmark of champions stamped on them right from their Week 1 trouncing of Wardle the runners up spot will be decided next Wednesday evening when Weavers and Wardle play off at Springhill Sports Centre, kick off 7.00pm.

At the wrong end of that division while Whitworth Valley were disappointed at only picking up a point at home against already relegated Rochdale Asia in hindsight that point is the one that protects them from the prospect of relegation themselves after a midweek 3-2 home defeat to Asia.

Valley had enough chances on the night to win the game but Asia’s superior finishing earned them only their third league win of the season, not enough to prevent them joining Rochdale Asia in Division 1 next season unfortunately.
Roca’s poor end of season form continued with a 3-0 defeat at Fothergill & Whittles after falling behind early doors when Holbrook’s free kick somehow found its way through a pack of players and into the net. Roca played their part in an entertaining game, though they were unable to find a way past Ives and Doyle in the middle of the F&W defence, and they went in two down after Holbrook had side stepped two challenges and curled his measured shot beyond the Roca custodian. The second half continued in the same vein though both sides were reduced to ten men and Holbrook completed a well deserved hat trick to end the scoring – a win that means F&W can finish fourth if they beat Syke in their final league game of the season this weekend.

Two points from their remaining three league games will make Jacks House champions of the Matterson Cranes First Division, despite the best efforts of Weavers 2nds who themselves will be confident of the runners up spot, though this may yet come down to goal difference in the final analysis.

Whitworth Valley 2nds trail Weavers by nine points but have three games in hand though Weavers goal difference advantage is now a significant fifteen after they hammered struggling Waggon Athletic 9-2 at Springhill – five goals here for leading scorer Lucas Forshaw.

At the bottom Prestwich Town’s 4-2 home win over Sudden Carling should ensure their first division safety whilst plunging Sudden deeper into trouble along with Waggon and Rochdale Sacred Heart.

In the Matthew Montgomery & Co Division 2 Balderstone’s 3-0 home win over AFC Royton thanks to goals from Shaw 2 and Hassall all but ends Royton’s realistic hopes of promotion thus meaning only Sun Hotel remain a viable threat to Balderstone’s title aspirations – and the two meet at Springhill Sports Centre this coming Wednesday evening.

Sun themselves had all but ended Fothergill & Whittles chances the previous Wednesday evening with a 4-1 win at Whittle Park courtesy of goals from Dunn and an Andrew White hat trick, while Sudden Carling edged the 5th v 6th contest against Wardle 3rds with a single goal from McKenzie – a win that must make their failure to raise a team seven days previously all the more exasperating to the management team.

Key games in all three divisions this coming weekend with the afore mentioned Fothergills v Syke game in the Premier Division ; Waggon v Rochdale Sacred Heart in a relegation six pointer in the first division and Sudden Carling 2nds v Fothergill & Whittles 2nds in a key promotion clash in Division 2.

In the last remaining President’s Cup last eight tie at Rawstron Street the out of form Premier Division Whitworth Valley side meet Division 2’s Wardle 3rds who have produced some outstanding displays this season.

Finally, a worthy mention to Horse & Farrier who after a long season were struggling to raise a side for their Alletson & Mitchell Memorial Trophy clash with Hargreaves, due in no small part to that semi final somewhere down South! However, unlike most of the other recent failed fixtures, their administration was first class and they did eventually manage to fulfil their commitment. Hargreaves were comfortable winners on the day with goals from Shaun Carey (3), Worsley (2), Lee Carey and Ghassemi so well done to them but well done to Horse & Farrier too for underlining the true spirit of amateur football once again.