Hockey: Rochdale 5 - 2 Kendal

Michael Waddicor

Rochdale took on Kendal on Saturday (8 October), with both teams having registered two wins out of two so far something had to give and it was Rochdale who prevailed.

Rochdale made a bright start to the game having most of the possession and attacking play, pinning Kendal into their own half.

Rochdale captain Michael Waddicor struck first with a goal from a penalty corner after Stuart Dearden delayed his pass and slipped the ball into the path of Waddicor, who flicked the ball into the top far right hand corner.

Defender Mark Eden made it two when he picked the ball up on the edge of the Kendal area, and dribbled around the defence, slotting the ball into the bottom corner.

Waddicor continued his good run of scoring after another great pass from Dearden who found him in open in the Kendal area. Waddicor managed to spin the defence and place the ball in the bottom corner giving Rochdale a 3-0 advantage.

Rochdale then gifted Kendal two goals just before half time due to errors with stray passing and getting caught on the counter attack.

It could even have been level at half time if it was not for James Decay in the Rochdale goal saving a one-on-one, and Jonathan Herrera being a rock in the defence.

The second half was all Rochdale as Kendal legs began to tire. This allowed Mark Vynne to push up from defence, and deliver several great crosses into the area keeping Kendal once again pinned deep in their own half.

It was only going to be a matter of time before James Shepherd gave Rochdale a two goal lead. After an initial shot from David Gowers was deflected into the air, Shepherd brought the ball down and placed it through the keeper’s legs.

The game was to finish 5-3 to Rochdale when Eden fired a shot into the back boards of the net from a Shepherd pass.

The win pushes Rochdale up to second, only behind Didsbury Thirds on goal difference and with an away visit to Lancaster next week it’s a great opportunity to keep the pressure on the top spot.

Rochdale Captain Michael Waddicor said: "It was another hard fought win, but we are still making mistakes. We have some way to go before we are at our best, but it’s starting to come slowly. With three wins out of three it’s a good start and that is what counts.

“I would have to give Mark Eden the Oulderhill Leisure Complex man-of-the-match award as I don’t think he put a foot wrong all game.”