Rochdale Online Alliance Football League

Rochdale Online Alliance Football League

Mighty Dragons tasted defeat for the first time this season as visitors Fothergill & Whittles 2nds ensured their qualification for the semi finals of the Alletson & Mitchell Memorial Trophy with a fiercely contested 3-2 win at Hollinwood last Saturday.

With ten wins out of ten, and a goal difference of plus thirty five, Wayne Attwood’s side were not going to give up that record lightly, but a combative approach requires self discipline and sadly Dragons were lacking in the latter, ending the contest with nine men after Danny Wilds and skipper Tom Byrne were sent off having both found that two yellow cards equal red.

Dragons enjoyed the majority of the possession in the first half, and Wilds had the ball in the Fothergills’ net after just four minutes only to be ruled offside, before Craig Bailey fired wide when it seemed easier to score just before the break.

However, the majority of the action unfolded in the second period as Wilds foolishly earned a second yellow for dissent, having been cautioned earlier for a deliberate handball, and Dragons were down to ten. Byrne then managed to collect two cautions in a matter of minutes and ten became nine, with Dragons woes compounded by two Fothergills’ goals inside five minutes from Tom Gibson and Daniel Morton.

Craig Bailey reduced the arrears to give the home side some hope but a third goal from Chris Holbrook sealed the game despite a late consolation for Dragons.

The win sees Fothergills safely through to the last four and this Saturday’s clash between Dragons and Rochdale Galaxy now assumes the significance of a knock out cup game. The winners will be virtually guaranteed a place alongside Fothergills, whilst a draw would better suit Galaxy as it would leave their destiny in their own hands; a win over Wardle OB in their final group game would see them through.

Elsewhere, Hargreaves, having already qualified for the semi final stage, made a spirited attempt to overall Chadderton Park’s vastly superior goal difference at the top of Group B with a 6-1 home win over Falcon 2nds, courtesy of goals from Allen 2, Eardley, Sellars, Wilcock and Cropper. However, Falcon’s only goal of a disappointing cup campaign helped to ensure Hargreaves came up short.

In the day’s only league game to survive the snow, Chadderton Park continued to enjoy their best season for years as they completed a double over F&W Rovers with a 4-0 win at Clayton featuring goals for Cole, Eastwood, Grant and Jennings.

The win moves the Oldham side into third place in the Matthew Montgomery & Co Division 1 table and, as mentioned, they also have an A&M Memorial Trophy last four game to look forward to.

Attention this weekend focuses on Group A of the Chairman’s Cup with any two of Sudden, Walsden and White Lion vying to join Fothergill & Whittles and Rochdale Asia in the semis.
A win for Sudden over Falcon would mean the Walsden v White Lion clash at Kingsway Sports Centre also assumes knock out status, whilst a draw would mean Walsden would have to beat Falcon in their final group game to qualify.

In league action, Sartori Sharpening Services Premier Division leaders Woodbank face a tricky trip to Firgrove to take on a Rochdale Sacred Heart side that boast a good home record, having been beaten at home just the once to date.