Rochdale Online Alliance Football League Report

Rochdale Online Alliance Football League

Balderstone went into last Saturday’s Sartori Sharpening Services Premier Division top of the table clash with leaders FC Bury Town knowing that all three points were vital in their bid to reclaim the league title last won three years ago.

With a strong squad to choose from, not always the case for Tony McCarroll of late, Balderstone were fired up and quickly into their stride on the fast artificial surface at Kingsway Sports Centre, and it was a true reflection of the early pattern of the game when Sam Butterworth opened the scoring after just thirteen minutes.

Bury were finding it difficult to piece their own game together, surprisingly so for such a good footballing side, and they were two down on twenty minutes when the pacey Butterworth found the space and time to score his second of the game.

With Lee Feeney controlling the midfield, and Kieran Bennett’s direct running opening up space in the Bury defence, a third goal seemed inevitable and it duly arrived just after the half hour mark courtesy of Nick Dowsing’s calm finish.

The leaders then gave themselves a lifeline when Ben Holmes pulled a goal back within a minute of Dowsing’s effort and both sides then broke forward at pace looking for the crucial fifth goal of the game which, when it came, was a heartbreaker for Bury as Feeney ghosted in at the back post to head home with the last move of an exhilarating half.

The half time scoreline seemed to take a little momentum out of a second half controlled in the main by Balderstone as the leaders failed to find the clinical pass or touch that might have opened up a resolute home defence, and it was definitely game over on seventy minutes when Butterworth completed his hat trick to make it 5-1.

Both sides had penalty appeals waved away and Graham Jebb’s late goal was of little consolation to Immi Younis’s side who were well beaten by much the better side on the day, a fact acknowledged by the Bury Town management after the game.

The top two have now opened up a ten point gap between themselves and third placed Oldham Boro but will be acutely aware of Whitworth Valley, back in seventh place but with five games in hand on both. Balderstone’s home game against Valley this weekend is sure to be another classic.

Elsewhere, Woodbank’s fourth successive league win, and fifth in all competitions, sees them up to sixth in the league table as goals from Manifold and Taylor gave them a 2-1 away win at White Lion.

The masters of the close contest, Rochdale Sacred Heart, were at it again with a creditable 3-3 draw at King William IV with goals from Hibbert, Patel and Nolan.

The old adage you can only win your own games continues to apply to Matterson Cranes Division One leaders Rochdale Asia as their latest victory, 2-1 over Rochdale Galaxy, means they maintain their four point lead at the top of the table as their nearest rivals both completed important away victories of their own.

Needham, Lawlor and Iqbal scored the goals that kept Sudden second with a hard fought 3-2 win at improving Chadderton Park.

Fothergill & Whittles 2nds negotiated a tricky looking trip to Hargreaves thanks to goals from White (2), Gibson, Johnson and Lee.

Syke had to concede home advantage to Mighty Dragons but still gained revenge for an earlier league defeat there with a 2-1 win - Rea and Coop with the goals.

The remaining two games witnessed the two best individual scoring performances of the day. Jordan Wallis netted four of Wardle OB’s nine in their expected comfortable win over Horse & Farrier, and Will Hoyle also claimed four as Whitworth Valley 2nds had far too much in reserve for a Balderstone 2nds side that continue to struggle player wise after such a strong start to the season.

Eight defeats in their last ten league and cup outings have seen their season fizzle out whilst Valley 2nds are up to fourth, but with little realistic hope of making up the gap on the top three now.

The remaining President's Cup third round tie takes place this weekend, with provision to move the game to Greenvale if Whittles Park is unfit. Division One promotion hopefuls Fothergill & Whittles 2nds will be confident of an upset against Premier Division basement side Star Athletic.