Fothergill & Whittles win Rochdale Online Alliance Football League President's Cup

Rochdale Online Alliance Football League President's Cup
Winners - Fothergill & Whittles

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Fothergill & Whittles FC concluded the 2015-16 Rochdale Online Alliance Football League season with a comprehensive 4-0 President’s Cup Final victory over Wardle Old Boys at Spotland Stadium on Monday evening.

What may well prove to be the last ever game in the Alliance was played out in front of a large and appreciative crowd as Fothergill’s dominance was matched by Wardle’s resilience in a goalless first half.

Glen Howson set the tone for the game with a crunching well timed challenge on Fothergill’s Sam Lee in the first minute and he, along with keeper Peter Fenton, were to prove Wardle’s main men from first whistle to last.

Fothergill enjoyed by far the greater share of possession in the first half but despite creating numerous openings could not find that final finish to beat the defiant Fenton.

Toby Hudson lifted a good chance on to the roof of the net.

Sam Lee’s low ball across the face of goal eluded all.

Liam Jackson’s header was straight at Fenton as the half was played out at the Sandy Lane end of the ground.

Wardle were being pushed further and further back as Jackson dictated the midfield battle and Hudson really should have opened the but shot straight at the grateful Fenton from twelve yards.

Hudson disturbed the side netting.

Sam Holt was played in by Jackson only for Fenton to save at his feet.

Lee saw his powerful effort from distance turned over the bar.

Fothergill custodian Nick Grindrod was relatively untroubled, though he had to be on his guard as Geoff Wallis tried his luck from the edge of the area, heading wide following a free kick on the right hand side.

With limited possession Wardle were struggling to release the dangerous Jonathan Dewhurst, and were further disrupted by an early injury that caused the withdrawal of Justin Greenwood - replaced by Rob Jones.

Half time wisdom concurred Wardle needed the first goal but inside four minutes they were a goal down a Fothergill attack was only half cleared, and Nathan Shepherd drilled the loose ball home off the foot of Fenton’s left hand post from twenty five yards.

One became two just a minute later as substitute Andy White saw his first touch and shot blocked by Fenton before he rifled the ball into the bottom right hand corner to break Wardle hearts and effectively end their dreams of an upset.

Jones tested Grindrod as Wardle looked for a way back but the game was becoming stretched as end of season legs tired and Wardle were defending deeper and deeper, leaving Fothergill with a forty yard space across the half way line in which to dictate play.

White thought he had made it three but his effort was ruled out for offside.

Wardle looked like they might benefit from that as Dewhurst worked his through towards goal only to be thwarted by a perfectly timed challenge from Pete Crossley.

Fothergill leading scorer White has had a frustratingly injury prone season but he was making the most of his late introduction as he emphatically headed home Tyler Greenwood’s cross to make it three.

Both sides were utilising the rolling substitution system to good effect.

Fenton denied Fothergill a fourth with a brilliant double save from Lee and White, whilst his back line continued to put their bodies on the line to maintain the respectability they had worked tirelessly to achieve throughout the game.

Holt treated the crowd to a spectacular celebration as he put the ball in the net from a free kick played deep to the back post, if only he had checked the assistant’s flag, which was raised for offside.

Fothergill were not to be denied a fourth goal and Hudson got the goal he deserved in the closing minutes drilling the ball into the roof of the net after Fenton had blocked his initial effort.

There was still time for Jackson to put the ball in the net after the ball came back to him off the foot of the post following a free kick, but he too was ruled offside and though Fothergill had to settle for four goals they had their first silverware of another good season for the Littleborough based outfit.

Nick Sunderland, Fothergill & Whittles manager, said: "We are delighted at winning the President’s Cup especially after losing the Chairman’s Cup final. The whole team worked really hard in that final and to lose out on penalties was hard to take therefore winning on Monday was their just reward to an excellent conclusion to our season."

League President John Culshaw presented the trophy.

Man-of-the-match: Liam Jackson

Referee: Tim Buckley
Assistant Referees: Andrew Perrin & Mike Willmore
Fourth Official: David Anderson

Fothergill & Whittles FC
Danny Armitage (C), Ryan Bocock, Josh Crook, Pete Crossley, Jake Dixon, Sam Duggan, Tyler Greenwood, Nick Grindrod, Ryan Healey, Sam Holt, Harris Howe, Toby Hudson, Liam Jackson, Sam Lee, Nathan Shepherd, Matt Taylor and Andy White.

Wardle Old Boys
Olly Banks, Matthew Bishop, Brent Clarke, Sean Davison, Chris Dewhurst, Jonathan Dewhurst, Pete Fenton, Russell Fielding, Justin Greenwood, Danny Holland, Glenn Howson, Rob Jones, Chris Kaye, Sean McCann, David McLoughlin, Andy Smith, Geoffrey Wallis and Darren Williams.