Hockey: Didsbury Greys 3 - 0 Rochdale Ladies

Photo: Rachel Jackson

Becky Knowles (left) was named player of the match

This weekend Rochdale Ladies had an away match against Didsbury Grey 2nds, who are currently in contention to win the league. So Rochdale's players knew they had their work cut out for them before they even set foot on the pitch.

Once they were on the pitch they rose to meet that challenge head on. Didsbury were an incredibly well drilled team who were relentless in their attacking and had a very strong press to close down any Rochdale free hit, but Rochdale were able to find ways to create their own attacks. With Yates staying high, Burrell was able to come back to help in the midfield to be a pivot option which opened up several plays. Pickering and Hodcroft both kept weaving and evading to cover ground. Unfortunately no matter how clever or fast Rochdale's moves, either their opponent's defence was too strong or the keeper was able to make the save.

When Didsbury broke they were swift and efficient, using their fitness and quick sharp passes to keep the ball in their possession. But all of Rochdale's defence stepped up to close them down, to make the angles narrower or just straight up steal possession. On more than one occasion Partington stepped off her line to kick away the ball before one of the opposition strikers could try and make something of it. The team lost track of the number of short corners they had to defend, but with Knowles and Leech running to the receiver, Palmer marking out the injector and Hoyle and Partington guarding the goal line not a single goal from the match came from a short corner.

The final score was Didsbury 3 - 0 Rochdale.

Players of the match was Claire Hoyle and Becky Knowles.

Captain Partington said: "Amazing play from the team, we knew going to into the game it was going to be a challenge, but we stepped up and put in a great performance, not the win we wanted, but we go again, bring on the next match.”

Rochdale's team:
Keeper; Sam Partington.
Defence; Claire Hoyle, Becky Knowles, Kieran Leech & Hannah Palmer.
Midfield; Lily Black, Gemma Hodcroft, Paula McDonald & Roisin Pickering.
Forwards; Katie Burrell & Arabella Yates.
Substitutes: Claire Hockaday & Daisy Parton.

Report by Hannah Palmer