Hockey: Rochdale Ladies 1 - 0 Didsbury Northern Fourths

Rochdale Ladies Hockey 1 v 0 Disbury Northen Fourths

Rochdale Ladies first game following the Christmas break saw them chalk up a narrow victory over Didsbury Northern.

Sarah Ransome, Rebecca Newton and Lauren Charlesworth stepped up from the juniors.

Didsbury came out fighting from the first whistle with quick passes and plenty of movement on the ball.

The Rochdale defence of Dionne Collinson, Becky Moon, Gill Knowles and Nicky Mongan was not fazed and worked together as a unit.

Collinson intercepted the ball during Didsbury attack in the ‘D’, took it out wide before passing to Newton who slotted up the pitch to Pickering. Pickering had a shot on goal, just short of the post. 

Just before the half time Paula McDonald tackled her player and worked it up with Gemma Hodcroft to the attacking end.

Becky Knowles had a shot on goal and though the Didsbury keeper saved, Katie Burrell  slotted in the rebound to score the only goal of the game.

Didsbury piled on the pressure in the second half but Rochdale stayed calm.

Rochdale had one more opportunity to score. Didsbury tried to penetrate the Rochdale ‘D’  but Owen cleared the ball in one sweep sending it through to Hodcroft in the middle. Hodcroft took it round the defence, passing to Burrell whose hot was saved.

Captain Kie Leech: “This season so far we have put that much effort in every game and the scores do not reflect it at all, but today it did pay off and if we keep playing all season like we are then we can hold our heads up high. Well done ladies, I am well chuffed.

"A big well done to our new players today, to our head coach Kenny and her assistant coach, Alexandra. After all the mince pies and glasses of wine over Christmas and New Year, Rochdale have come back raring for the second half of the season.”

Player-of-the-match: Paula McDonald.