Hockey: South Lakes Men’s Seconds 2 - 7 Rochdale Men’s Seconds

Midfield maestro Imran Ansari played key role in Rochdale's win

These two teams hadn’t met for two seasons since South Lakes won the division and Rochdale narrowly missed out on promotion in 2015, but following Rochdale’s promotion last season, Cumbria has become a happy hunting ground for them, with this 7-2 victory following a 10-1 win over Windermere a month ago.

Saturday's result took a lot more determination a guile than the win at Windermere.

Both teams fought hard throughout the first half with not a lot between them for most of it.

Rochdale began to have the edge on chances with short corner after short corner, but whatever they threw at the South Lakes defence, they seemed to have an answer for it.

Slowly but surely though the dominance began to take hold and Barry Gumbley up front was beginning to frustrate the South Lakes back four. By half time Gumbleys pressure had paid off and Rochdale went in 2-1 in front.

The second half saw South Lakes wither and as Imran Ansari took a foothold in midfield.

The inter play between Ansari and Gumbley ripped South Lakes apart and Gumbley began to score at will and finished the game with six to his name.

Rochdale’s seventh came from Asif Omar, who for the second week running gave a tireless performance in the middle of the pitch. Despite this, and Gumbley's six goals, it was the creative thinking and experience in midfield that earnt Ansari the Quat-Chem man-of-the-match award.

Captain Karl Wynn said: “I’ve said it before, these long away trips to Cumbria are always hard games, so I’m delighted to put them behind us now and have two out of two wins.

“We now have a week off to rest and maybe look at some different short corner routines before facing Leyland & Chorley.”