Hockey: Rochdale Firsts 0 - 1 Golborne Firsts

Rochdale Men's Hockey

With David Gowers, Barry Gumbley and Hempsall-Jones all out, Rochdale were without a recognised striker on Saturday and Golborne inflicted a defeat via a controversial goal.

James Shepherd was put up top with Sean Carney in an unfirmilar pairing for Rochdale. Captain Michael Waddicor slotted in to the right of midfield in an attempt to use his pace and skill to create some openings. Mark Eden stepped out of defence and into a holding midfield role with Stuart Dearden.

The game started out all Rochdale with run after run made by Waddicor in his new right wing position. The mismatch was clearly in favour of Rochdale as Waddicor created several early chances, the best of which was a two on one which Shepherd was unable to convert as he lost his balance.

Rob Lees was unlucky not to convert a loose ball that was initially saved by the Golborne keeper from a Waddicor short corner flick. Lees lifted the ball over the sticks of the Golborne players only for the last man to clear it off the line.

Golborne had very few chances as Dearden, Eden, Jonathan Herreran, Mark Vynne, Andrew Borritt and Danny Ramsbottom in the Rochdale defence kept then at bay.

Golborne went into half time the happier with the 0-0 score line. The only blot on Rochdale’s card was the yellow card for Andrew Borritt, after he mis-timed a clearance and struck the Globorne striker.

The plan to use Waddicor more in the second half didn't materialise for Rochdale, instead the ball began to be distributed poorly and gave Golborne chance to pick up the stray passes.

Eventually Golborne broke the deadlock, with a goal which Rochdale will feel should have never counted with three clear offences taking place.

The lack of forwards for Rochdale showed as they failed to finish of several opportunities. Waddicor came closest after his strike was stopped by a Golborne defender on the line with his body, which resulted in a penalty flick. Waddicor  took the flick but failed convert from the spot.

Rochdale  pushed up high, desperate to find an equaliser, but it was not their day.

Rochdale Captain Michael Waddicor said: “We are extremely disappointed with the result, and even more so with the umpires decision on the Golborne goal. He was very poor and handed them a goal which should never have stood. We should never have let it get to that point, and if we would have converted a quarter of our chances we would have been fine."

The Older Hill Leisure Complex man-of-the-match went to Jonathan Herreran.