A&M Trophy Final - Rochdale Asia weave their magic!

Rochdale Asia - Alletson & Mitchell Memorial Trophy Winners

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In the first Rochdale Online Alliance Football League Final to be played at the home of Heywood St James FC it was Rochdale Asia who triumphed in a fiercely contested Alletson & Mitchell Memorial Trophy Final over first division rivals Weavers Arms 2nds.

Rochdale Asia won the toss but it was Weavers who exerted the early pressure and Nathan White worked the game’s first opening before running the ball out of play. Lucas Forshaw then skipped past a lunging challenge from Omar Rashid but saw his shot blocked at close range.

Naveed Butt, who was a worthy candidate for the man of the match accolade, then broke down the left hand side but dragged his shot wide with David Furey beaten in the Weavers goal. The warning wasn’t heeded, and just a minute later Weavers conceded a free kick just outside the area and Butt drilled the ball into the top left hand corner to give his side the crucial first goal.

Tempers rose as the sun came out and it was no surprise to see Rashid become the first recipient of referee Andrew Perrin’s shiny new yellow card after another ill timed lunge brought Jack Shepherd to ground. Butt was a constant problem for Weavers as he exploited the open spaces down the left hand side and his smart crossfield ball gave Alwarfali a great chance to make it two but he shot straight at a relieved Furey.

Forshaw was working tremendously hard up front for his side and he was next to threaten with a shot across the face of goal, but as the half continued he was to become more and more isolated up front.

In contrast Rochdale Asia were employing Alwarfali and Butt together in attack and they were causing the Weavers back line all sorts of problems as they began to enjoy a dominant period of possession.

Furey was out quickly to clear as Butt threatened again and then Forshaw worked a clear chance to level only to shoot straight at Osman Afzal. Weavers were not to be denied as the half drew to a close and as Afzal fumbled Forshaw was first to react and in the ensuing scramble Nathan White slotted home the equaliser in the forty first minute.

The second half was off to a quick fire start as Forshaw was through one on one with Afzal only yet again to shoot straight at the keeper and within a minute Shepherd thought he had given his side the lead only to see his stinging volley headed off the line by Syed Hussain.

It was Shepherd denied once again as a right wing corner was headed on to him but somehow Afzal was able to claw his header out from underneath the bar; a wonderful save from a keeper drafted in as a late replacement and perhaps the defining moment of the second half.

Undoubtedly fortunate to still be level Rochdale Asia then gained a free kick for a deliberate handball close to the dead ball line and a dangerous ball to the back post was forced home by Kashif Rafiq.

The goal was a real setback for Weavers and it began to show as their opponents started to exploit the space afforded by the width of the pitch and Weavers were struggling to match their movement and control.

Furey saved from Alwarfali and Butt in quick succession and Jack Forshaw was fortunate to escape censure for a heavy challenge on Butt and then a petulant reaction to the Rochdale Asia player’s complaint. His namesake Lucas continued to plough a lone furrow up front and White shot narrowly wide after a fine piece of individual skill created the opening.

That was to prove Weavers last real opportunity and with eight minutes to go Darren Grainger allowed the ball to drift out of play not realising the last touch had been off one of his own players.

From the resultant corner Weavers failed to clear their lines and Butt glanced home his second goal from ten yards.

Alwarfali was booked for removing his shirt in celebration and substituted shortly afterwards but there was breathing space for the first time in the game as Butt and Aslam were denied by Furey and Damian Matthews saw his effort well held by Afzal.

The game’s final action saw Furey off his line quickly to clear as Butt threatened and his clearance landed at the feet of Hussain inside his own half. The Rochdale Asia number five saw his chance for the spectacular and went for it only for a back pedalling Furey to time his intervention to perfection, tipping the ball over the bar.

The final moments were played out im midfield and it was cup glory to Rochdale Asia; reward for a season of consolidation and then progression after the loss of their Premier Division status twelve months ago. Thoughtfully managed by Mickey Saeed they proved themselves to be worthy winners on the day but, as always, Weavers made it an intriguing contest and pushed their opponents right to the final whistle.