Hockey: Bolton Men’s Thirds 3 - 4 Rochdale Men’s Seconds

The Atticus Man of the Match went to Karl Wynn for an inspirational captain’s performance

Rochdale went to Bolton on the back of a string of defeats but with a clear plan and new strategies that prvoed successful as they edged a seven goal game.

Rochdale started by well, not allowing the opposition to get into a rhythm.

The passing from Rochdale was crisper and faster and allowed the team to settle and attack with pace and aggression.

Rochdale pressed into the opposition D early on and earned their first short corner. With a well-prepared routine the ball was sent to the top of the D by Dean Close and a strike from Graham Broadley gave Rochdale the lead.

The game was being played at a high tempo, with both teams getting shots off but Bolton got lucky when the ball struck Karl Wynn in the lower body and they scored from the ensuing penalty flick to equalise.

Rochdale took control of the game and were awarded a number short corners, and with another set of well worked routine Bjorne Brauns slotted past the keeper to put them in the lead.

Rochdale came out after the half time slowly and allowed Bolton straight back into the game with them levelling the score.

From a side line ball deep in their own half, Rochdale passed around the back four and up to Andy Meanock on the right wing who drove it up to Niam Willis. Willis ran at the D drawing out the keeper, enabling the slip pass to Brauns to put away his second of the game. All in all the entire move took 30 seconds to go from back line to the back of the net - the move of the game.

Bolton, who were in search of their first win of the season, did not give up, pressing hard into the Rochdale D, the Bolton striker was driven wide but managed to get a strike off. With Robinson in the Rochdale goal unsighted by the packed D, the ball flew through the defensive line into the bottom corner, to once again level the score.

A move which started deep in their own half, saw Rochdale pass the ball with speed and accuracy up to the Bolton D, where Brauns sealed his hat trick and  gave Rochdale victory.

Captain Karl Wynn said: "A great team performance and extremely gratifying to us all to see the things we had discussed prior to the game having such an impact."

The Atticus man-of-the-match award went to Karl Wynn.