ROAFL Report

Rochdale Online Alliance Football League

After an eight week break the league season resumed last weekend with cup games taking centre stage. Unusually, the form book ruled in both competitions and if there was anything close to even a gentle surprise it came in the single league game played.
Runaway Premier Division leaders Wardle might have expected a tougher challenge from Whitworth Valley in their Presidents Cup tie but goals from Sykes (2), Dearden, Wallace, Williams and Hill gave them a comfortable victory at Rutherford Park.

In the day's other all Premier clash an understrength Balderstone side travelled to Firgrove to meet a Moorcock side that, on their day, are a match for anyone in the division, and so it proved as the home side powered in to a four goal half time lead courtesy of some scintillating passing and movement that was all too much for the inexperienced visitors.

Balderstone pulled a goal back only to find themselves 6-1 down inside fifty minutes, but two more goals for them by the hour mark had them thinking of a revival to match Fothergill & Whittles against Whitworth Valley in the same trophy eighteen months ago. Alas, the foolish dismissal of Chris Larkin and the energy sapping surface of the mill side pitch proved too much for them and a late seventh goal set the seal on the victory for a Moorcock side that could well go all the way on this evidence.

In the day's two other ties Barnes, Smith, Schofield and Allatt netted the goals that sent Rochdale Sacred Heart through at the expense of Second Division Fothergill & Whittles 3rds, whilst at Nuttall Park Woodbank won the all Second Division clash with AFC Royton by four goals to two, Baxter, Taylor, McDonald and Frost on target for them.

In the Alletson & Mitchell Memorial Trophy Sudden recorded the most comprehensive victory of the afternoon, an 8-1 home win over Horse & Farrier, whilst the Division One basement team Fothergill & Whittles 2nds recorded a much welcome victory over their visitors to Greenvale, Whitworth Valley 2nds. Goals from Greenwood (2), Santiago (2), White and Vickers ensured a bad day all round for Valley who have the opportunity for revenge inside seven days as the two sides meet again in the league.

Meanwhile, Hargreaves edged Rochdale Galaxy by the odd goal in nine and Jack's House did the same in five at Firgrove against Wardle 3rds.

In the day’s only league game, Matterson Cranes First Division leaders Westdene slipped to a 2-1 home defeat to Wardle 2nds that sees them deposed from top spot by their vanquishers. Large and Oldham scored the goals with a Stout reply from Westdene who also had a man sent off.

It will be interesting to see how long Wardle can remain at the summit as the two sides also meet again within the space of seven days.