Rochdale Online Alliance League round up

Rochdale Online Alliance Football League

The first weekend of fixtures of 2012 were met with the same rain sodden demise as the final weekend of games in 2011 - although there was some significant action amongst the puddles as Weavers opened a six point gap at the top of the Premier Division with a 2-1 away victory at title rivals Wardle.

Having been beaten at home by Wardle just a fortnight earlier Weavers were clearly intent on compensation and opened the scoring inside five minutes as Hands scored from the spot after Butterworth had been clipped in the box.

On a surface which was a credit to the Wardle ground staff both sides worked hard to create opportunities but in truth neither keeper was greatly troubled for the best part of an hour. With the Weavers defence dominant, and the usually reliable Smith missing a golden opportunity, the game looked to have turned as Knowles levelled from the edge of the area and then Weavers were reduced to ten as Sykes was sent off for a poor tackle on Armitage.

Enter super sub Sands and he restored Weavers advantage with a strong run and well placed finish past Scowcroft from fifteen yards. Both sides had half chances to add to the scoreline but a tense affair ended in the leaders’ favour and their two remaining clashes almost certainly will decide the destination of the championship this season.

In the only other game played Fothergill & Whittles 3rds surprised promotion hopefuls Sudden Carling 3-0 at Greenvale and brought that form into the new year with a 6-0 home win over Horse & Farrier, that moves them up to mid table in the Matthew Montgomery & Co Division 2.

In the same division Bridge moved back to the top with a 6-2 home win over Wardle 3rds and Jacks House 2nds gained just their second league win of the season over White Lion at Walsden Rec.

Just one other game survived the water and Asia are still seeking that elusive first league win of the season after eight attempts now – a 3-4 home defeat by Whitworth Valley the latest disappointment for a side that plays attractive flowing football but cannot close a game out it would seem.