Hockey - GMWHL Cup: Bury Ladies Seconds 4 - 3 Rochdale Ladies

Roisin Pickering, Rochdale Ladies Hockey

Rochdale Ladies went out of the Hockey All Division Cup having been beaten in the second round by Bury Ladies Seconds.

With only ten players for the Saturday lunch time fixture, Rochdale had a disadvantage.

Becky Knowles and Katie Burrell worked well together in attack, sharing the up front and left wing positions - both showing some good skill when moving around Bury’s defenders and both being rewarded with a goal each.

Knowles’ scored the first of the game after receiving the ball from Roisin Pickering at the top of the D and smashing it into the goal.

The second Rochdale goal came from Burrell after Rochdale were awarded a short corner; Burrell had a shot on goal, the keeper went to save it but the hit was too powerful.

By half time Rochdale were still in the game competing all over the pitch, despite Bury scoring twice.

In the second half Rochdale came out full force with a goal from Paula McDonald during a short corner hit out; McDonald reacted quickest and swept the ball straight into the D, again proving too powerful for the Bury defence.

Rochdale paid the price for missed opportunities as Bury scored two more goals to pip Rochdale to the post.

Rochdale captain Kie Leech said: "Once again I am immensely proud of the ladies and the their performance. They showed some quality hockey and each week we are improving as a team.

"This week’s player-of-the-match goes to Roisin Pickering who, as always, provided support for the team, continuously taking on Bury defenders."