Hockey: Rochdale Firsts 10 - 4 South Lakes Firsts

Rick Borritt - Rochdale Mens Hockey

Rochdale consolidated their top of the table position by putting South Lakes on the back foo and right from the push back.

Consistent pressure from the Rochdale strikers and midfield led to a real domination in possession and if it wasn’t for their own undoing Rochdale could have been out of sight by the break. As it was they had a 4-2 lead and South Lakes were still in with a fighting chance.

Coming out for the second half South Lakes scored early to bring it back to 4-3 and increase their chances of a come back, but this fired Rochdale into gear and kill off any chance South Lakes had. Rochdale scored another four goals without reply taking the score line to 8-3 before South Lakes scored a consolation goal and their last of the day.

Rochdale went on to score two  more and the game finished 10-4.

The goals came from Michael Waddicor (1), David Gowers (2), Keiran King (1), Sean Carney (1), Rick Borritt (4) and an amazing run from centre back Johnny Herreran, who picked the ball up on the half way line, he played a couple of one-twos, dropped his stick but managed to pick it back up as he approached the South Lakes D, before he lofted the ball past the keeper with a sumptuous shot.

Rochdale Captain Michael Waddicor said: "We had 70% of the possession, and the only chances they had were from our defensive errors. We need to learn to cut these errors out as eventually it may cost us. I am extremely happy with the lads continued hard work on the pitch, and another three points.”

The Oulderhill Leisure Complex man-of-the-match went to Jonathan Herrera and Rick Borritt.

The result means Rochdale stay top of the table with a three point advantage.