Rochdale Men's Hockey 7 - 1 Preston 6s

Rochdale Men's Hockey Club 2s

Returning from the autumn break Rochdale Men's Hockey continued with their unbeaten start to the season to stay top of the league.

Preston 6s were lying in third place just three points behind Rochdale and were going to be the toughest test Rochdale had faced since the opening game.

The first 20 minutes played out as the form guide had predicted with Rochdale having much of the possession and finding Preston hard to break down.

With 25 minutes on the clock Josh Robinson broke the deadlock after a clinical move ended with an easy tap in at the back post.

The Robinson brothers once again proved a formidable force up front and by half time Rochdale had extended their lead to 3-0 with Luke Robinson getting on the score sheet with the first of his two goals from a shot that not many keepers would have saved.

The second half saw much of the same, with a series of short corners ending in Tim Liptrot narrowly missing out, after a great follow through. It was in defence where Liptrot was solid all game, despite the wet and slippery conditions.

Dean Close's work rate for a magnificent 70 minutes got him on the score sheet again and earnt him the man-of-the-match award.

Captain Karl Wynn commented: "It was a good result in difficult conditions, we just need to keep the momentum going with a series of tough games ahead of us before the Christmas break."

This result kept Rochdale top of the division on goal difference, which, with their average of five goals a game so far, could prove vital.