ROAFL Report

Rochdale Online Alliance Football League

With leaders Wardle frustratingly inactive because of Asia’s failure to raise a team it was a chance, albeit a seemingly forlorn one, for the chasing pack to close the gap at the top of the Sartori Sharpening Services Premier Division last Saturday.

Whitworth Valley entertained FC Bury Town at Rawstron Street but were depleted by the social requirements of a forthcoming betrothal as they all but achieved the rare feat of a second successive 5-5 draw!

The pitch was in remarkably good condition, though very soft, and both teams opted for a passing game, backed up by a modicum of running, which ultimately led to an open and enjoyable contest. Bury were fastest out of the blocks and into a two goal lead with Nick O’Brien and Ben Holmes particularly impressive up front. Valley, prompted by the experienced Andrew Clegg in midfield, were not to be denied and were level by half time.

The exact same pattern in the second period saw Bury two up again only for Valley to level before O’Brien was played through to clip home what was to prove the winning goal in the eighty sixth minute.

Not before a dramatic conclusion, however, as Bury’s frustration at not being awarded what they believed to be two legitimate penalty kicks was compounded by the referee’s decision to award Valley a penalty kick of their own in the last minute of time added on.

Clegg’s well struck kick cannoned back off the foot of the post to him and as he prepared to side foot the rebound into the empty goal the whistle stopped him to the amazement of just about everybody on Rawstron Street!

Law 14 of FIFA’s Laws of the Game a recommended read here as a somewhat puzzled Bury Town left the field with all three points.

An in form Moorcock side visited Whittles Park in confident mood and dominated the first period only to find themselves one down at the break to a John Platt goal late in the half. Moorcock were level within moments of the restart only to go 2-1 down as Platt converted a free kick on the edge of the box which Moorcock had disputed at length.

Discipline would appear to be an issue the Moorcock management need to address as a second equaliser was sandwiched by incidents which have no place in the ROAFL, and led to Moorcock being reduced to nine men, before Platt completed his hat trick and deservedly earned all three points for Fothergills in the final quarter.

In the day’s other game in the Premier Division Rochdale Asia came tantalisingly close to adding to their single point before Jack Taylor scored the goal that secured all three for Balderstone instead.