Hockey: Rochdale Firsts 5 - 4 Didsbury Northern

Man-of-the-match went to Michael Waddicor

Rochdale have made a habit this season of making games hard and having to come from behind to take the win, and this game was no different.

Rochdale took the lead after 10 minutes when David Gowers scored out of nothing with a great shot from a tight angle.

Although Didsbury levelled the score, Gowers quickly scored a second, again from a tight angled that was almost identical to his first.

At half time it was 2-1 and Rochdale felt they should have been further in front as they had far more possession.

It was Didsbury though, that came out stronger after the break, with two quick goals that took Rochdale by surprise when they fell asleep defensively.

However, Rochdale started to get back into the game and produced more attacks on the counter.

Gowers again that scored, completing another hat-trick, after lifting the ball over the stranded Didsbury keeper.

Rochdale Captain Michael Waddicor had already made several weaving runs throughout the game, but this time he picked the ball up in Rochdale's defensive third, ran the length of the pitch down the left out pacing the Didsbury players and slipping the ball under the keeper’s arm, to put Rochdale back in front.

Didsbury did not give up and once more levelled the game after a dubious umpire decision in the build-up.

It was to be Rochdale’s day, James Shepherd breaking through the defence with the ball, for Sean Carney to make a pass inside the D to Mark Eden, who rifled a shot into the net to win the game with two minutes left on the clock.

Rochdale Captain Michael Waddicor said: "We are happy with the win, and of course the three points, keeping us top of the table. However, we are capable of a lot more and it's disappointing with haven’t found our form yet."