Rochdale Online Alliance Football League Report

Rochdale Online Alliance Football League

Cup action dominated a curtailed programme in the Rochdale Online Alliance Football League as quarter finalists emerged in both the President’s Cup and A&M Memorial Trophy.

Balderstone 2nds failed their fixture at Walsden, a fixture that, had they won, would have brought them head-to-head with their own first team who had enjoyed a predictably comfortable passage through against a gallant F&W Rovers side at Kingsway Sports Centre. Class prevailed in the end and Balderstone went through with two goals apiece for White and Sands plus one each for Simm, Bennett and McCarroll.

The one quarter final definitely decided will be a fascinating tie at Rawstron Street between Whitworth Valley and ever improving Woodbank; the latter 4-1 home victors over White Lion with goals from Hancock (2), Maniford and McDonald.

Oldham Boro’s young side is going through a difficult period at present, without a win in the league in three games and now out of the cup after an open game full of excellent football against a Valley side back to full strength. The first half was goalless, though both sides had chances to break the deadlock, and honours even on the balance of play.

Valley came back out and took the lead within two minutes through a cool finish from Reece Proctor, and began to find much more space down both flanks and pushed Boro deeper and deeper into their own half.

Boro were now restricted to quick breaks forward and seemed sure to equalise just on the hour mark until Valley skipper Jan Wormald denied them with a brave diving headed clearance that resulted in him having to leave the field with a facial injury, though Valley’s definition of what exactly constitutes a nose bleed was somewhat different to the match officials.

Valley were now in the ascendancy and assured themselves of a passage into the quarter finals with two goals inside six minutes from Craggs (66) and Foster (72), in a game full of entertaining football and outstanding sportsmanship.

With the potential 'upset' games both falling foul of the weather, the one remaining tie played did provide an upset, in terms of the current league table that is, as Fothergill & Whittles cast aside their poor league form to knock out leaders FC Bury Town at Derby High School.

Having been beaten by the odd goal in seven back in early October, goals from Chris Holbrook, John Platt and a collector’s edition from player manager Martin Nuttall, saw the Littleborough men on the right side of the odd goal result this time round and they will now be at home to the winners of the postponed King William IV versus Sudden tie in the new year.

In the Alletson & Mitchell Memorial Trophy, Syke progressed to the next round, and a home tie with Hargreaves, courtesy of a 3-1 win at Rochdale Galaxy.

Just two league games to report as Mighty Dragons completed a league double within a week over Chadderton Park with a 3-1 win at Crossley. Third played fifth at Firgrove and an injury time leveller saw Rochdale Asia and Hargreaves share the spoils.

Hargreaves remain the only unbeaten team in the league but a fourth draw in nine games leaves them off the promotion pace and they face a difficult trip to F&W 2nds this coming weekend.