Hockey: Rochdale Men’s Firsts 1 - 3 Didsbury Northern Men’s Thirds

Goal scorer and Man of the Match Michael Waddicor - Rochdale Men’s Firsts 1 V 3 Didsbury Northern Men’s Thirds

The top of the table clash didn’t end well for Rochdale, not helped as five keys players were ruled out before the game for various reasons.

The game started nervously for Rochdale as some early mistakes led to close chances for the Didsbury side.

The defensive back line of Tim Liptrot, Andrew Borritt, Jonathan Herreran and Mark Vynne managed to keep Didsbury from getting on the score sheet early, but eventually the deadlock was broken just before half time.

Ten minutes into the second half Didsbury added doubled their lead.

Spurred on, Rochdale began to get a grip on the game, and Waddicor was unlucky not to score when he made a run from his own half, out pacing the Didsbury midfield and defence to slot the ball past the on coming keeper, only for a diving clearance from the Didsbury defender making the save off the line.

Rochdale again came close on several occasions with shots being scrabbled away, and forward David Gowers uncharacteristically being unable to convert the rebounds.

Rochdale keeper James Deacy was in fine form and kept Rochdale in the game by making several brilliant saves.

Itwas not to be Rochdale’s day though as Disdbury effectively finished the game off with a third goal.

Rochdale Captain Michael Waddicor did manage to score a consolation goal with five minutes to play. After initially wining the penalty corner after being fouled, Waddicor stopped the ball at the top of the D from the injection of King and then smashed the ball in to the bottom left corner.

Rochdale Captain Michael Waddicor said: "Unfortunately with five keys players missing it showed. We had our chances but it just wasn't our day. We are now second in the league, two points behind first place, but I know the lads will work hard to get that top spot back.”

The Oulderhill Leisure Complex man-of-the-man was Michael Waddicor.