Hockey: Liverpool John Moores University Men’s Firsts 3 - 2 Rochdale Men’s Firsts

Rochdale Men's Firsts

Rochdale travelled to Liverpool John Moores University on the back of a large defeat to South Lakes.

Despite Rochdale starting well with excellent passing in the first 20 minutes, Liverpool scored first from a short corner. This spurred on Rochdale, who pushed for an equaliser with Barry Gumbley coming closest, but firing a powerful shot just wide.

Unfortunately, Liverpool scored again from a short corner: Danny Bowe had done well to keep out the first shot but was helpless with the rebound.

Rochdale once again pushed on with Michael Waddicor driving at the Liverpool defence. Eventually a breakthrough came with Mark Eden pushing up from the back, beating the fullback before crossing for Adam Massey to finish past the keeper, pulling the score back to 2-1 just before half time.

Undeterred, Rochdale felt it was their game, however Liverpool scored again from a free hit outside the D. This was unfair on the Rochdale defence, who had been unbeatable in open play.

Rochdale did pull a goal back from a well-worked short corner when Eden and Massey again combined to finish in similar style to the first.

Captain Michael Waddicor said: "Despite the loss, it really was a great team performance.

"There was some excellent passing and some of the tackles from Andrew Borritt and James Shepherd were outstanding and the full backs of Danny Bowe and Jonathan Herreran worked tirelessly to provide width in attack."