Hockey: Rochdale Seconds 0 - 3 Lytham St Annes Thirds

Rochdale Hockey Seconds

Rochdale suffered their second loss of the season on Saturday, at home to Lytham St Annes Thirds.

The first 10 minutes went well for Rochdale with them applying a lot of pressure on Lytham’s defence and dominating, so it was a shock when, against the run of play, Lytham broke and scored the opening goal.

Rochdale were visibly rocked and another goal soon came for Lytham from a short corner.

Rochdale tried to change things around utilising the full squad, but a poor spell led to Rochdale's demise as Lytham scored a third before the break.

The second half was like a different game for Rochdale, they looked more comfortable going to a flat back four and applied much more pressure on the Lytham defence.

If the game was about possession Rochdale had won by a country mile and it was telling that the Lytham captain conceded at the end “if Rochdale had took their chances, they would have been out of sight”.

Captain Karl Wynn said: “It feels like we’ve been mugged, we need to be more clinical in the last third.

"Despite two losses so far, we played some great hockey.

"I'm more than confident that once it all clicks in to place we will do just fine in this division.”

With the long trip to Windermere next Saturday, the team directly below Rochdale, a win is much needed for Rochdale to get back on track.