ROAFL report

Rochdale Online Alliance Football League

The weather wreaked more havoc on the ROAFL fixture list as only three matches - one in each league - were possible last Saturday (24 November).

Despite a dry Friday and Saturday morning, many games were already called off as councils took the long-term view to protect their pitches.

In the Sartori Sharpening Services Premier Division neither Whitworth Valley nor Fothergill & Whittles were able to make a sizable inroad into runaway leaders Wardle’s advantage at the top.

Substitute Craig Smith lobbed the Valley ‘keeper to give Fothergills the lead with almost his first touch, but an equaliser from the spot with 15 minutes remaining ensured both sides left with a point.

The only Matterson Cranes First Division match to survive the weather was at Redvales, where free-scoring Westdene hit Balderstone 2nds for five to move within a point of top spot.

A double from Kevin Stout and one each for Tim Maltman, Jack Berry and Chris Walton mean Westdene lie third with a game in hand on Wardle 2nds and Whitworth Valley 2nds above them.

Westdene and Balderstone 2nds will face each other again this weekend in the President’s Cup second round.

In the Matthew Montgomery & Co Second Division, league leaders Woodbank were held to a 3-3 home draw with Fothergill & Whittles 3rds thanks to Andrew Kibble’s hat-trick.

Kibble’s goals cancelled out strikes by Steven Manifold, James McDonald and Jonathon Havens to leave Woodbank just three points clear of second-place White Lion, despite playing two games more.