Hockey: Rochdale Men’s Firsts 3 - 1 Fylde Men’s Firsts

Rochdale Men’s Hockey Firsts took on Fylde for only the second time in their history and got revenge after being on the losing end earlier in the season.

Captain Michael Waddicor choose to mix things up and opted for a 4-5-1 formation, which proved to be Fyldes undoing.

Rochdale's midfield took early control of the centre of the pitch breaking Fylde's play down.

James Shepherd gave Rochdale an early lead after intercepting the ball in the Fylde half and fumbled the ball past three players before stretching out and tapping the ball past the Fylde keeper on the inside post.

Rochdale forward Dave Gowers dropped deep and holding the ball up allowed Rochdale to successfully begin to counter and break through the Fylde defence with timely runs made by Waddicor, Shepherd and Rob Lees.

Waddicor found himself on a one-on-one with the Fylde keeper and skipped around him but as he went to tap the ball in the back of the net, a returning Fylde defender kept the ball out of the goal by illegally kicking the ball off the line.

Waddicor was awarded a penalty flick and put it past the keeperto double Rochdale's lead.

Before half time Shepherd was brought down by the Fylde keeper when he found himself one-on-one after a pin point pass from Mark Vynne. Rochdale were awarded a second penalty flick and Waddicor stepped and gave the Flyde keeper no chance.

Rochdale were unlucky not to score more before half time, as well worked plays down the wings from Vynne and Lees were not converted by Gowers, who uncharacteristically smashed several shots wide of the goal.

With no substitutes available for Rochdale, Fylde had the fresher legs in the second half and started to put more and more pressure on as they pushed forward.

However, the Rochdale defence of Andrew Borritt, Jonathan Herreran, Danny Ramsbottom and Tim Liptrot stood strong and gave Fylde very few clear chances.

Fylde did eventually score a consolation goal with 10 minutes to go after a mistake by a tired Rochdale defence.

Captain Waddicor said: "Every single one of the lads worked hard, and we left it all on the pitch. We fought for every ball, we countered in style and we were worthy winners. I really could nott have asked for more.

"Oulder Hill man-of-the-match went jointly to Michael Waddicor and Jonathan Herreran."