Hockey: Rochdale Men’s Seconds 2 - 3 Horwich Men's Firsts

Rochdale Men’s Hockey Seconds 2 v 3 Horwich Firsts

Rochdale Men’s Seconds were beaten by top of the table Horwich at Oulder Hill on Saturday.

From the off Rochdale struggled to get into the game against the undefeated Horwich team and within minutes Horwich showed Rochdale exactly why they are top of the league, taking a three goal lead.

Rochdale started moving the ball quicker and were piercing through the Horwich midfield and beginning to attack the goal.

A well-timed Dean Close pass from halfway line went through a Horwich midfielder’s legs to Luke Rosebury, who drove towards the D, then passed quickly to Andy Meanock who drove to the by-line and squared the ball behind the keeper for Graham Broadley to calmly slot the ball in the back of the net. 

As soon as the whistle was blown to start the second hald, Rochdale pressed the Horwich midfield hard.

This determination started to prove fruitful and earned them their first short corner. With a well drilled routine Rochdale got a shot off but was saved by the keeper.

Rochdale ame close to scoring many times and they were was again unlucky when a Meanock shot took a deflection which lobbed the keeper but narrowly missed the goal and rolled just over the crossbar onto the roof of the net.

Rochdale’s second goal of the game did come, again started at the halfway line with Rosebury sending a well weighted ball to Meanock who ran straight at the heart of the Horwich defence, as he approached the top of the D, he slipped the ball wide of the keeper to Broadley. The pass looked too heavy, but a determined Braodley slid in on his knees with a one-handed, reverse stick shot just before the ball went out of play and the whole crowd watched in what felt like slow motion as the ball spun into the back of the net to the delight and amazement of the Rochdale players.

A brilliant save from Rochdale keeper Brian Robinson, down low to his right slapping the ball away with his stick, prevented Horwich scoring a fourth but three was enough for the win.

Captain Karl Wynn: "We played and competed with the top of the league who have yet to be beaten. We gave them a real scare and came close to taking points of them.

"Although we did not win, on the back of this display we should not fear any team in this league.

“The Atticus Promotions man-of-the-match went to Dave Marlow who marshalled our defence all day and settled them down after the early poor start."