Hockey: Rochdale Didsbury Northern Ladies Fifths 7 v 1 Rochdale Ladies

Saturday saw Rochdale take on the top of the league, Didsbury Northern Ladies Fifths, in an early away fixture at The Armitage Centre in Manchester and with Rochdale currently sitting second in the league table, hopes were high to take the three point’s home.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t to be, and Rochdale were hit hard. Within the first 15 minutes the opposition were 3-0 up.

This wouldn’t deter Rochdale who battled on attacking hard however; Didsbury often took advantage on the counter attack and caused upset throughout the pitch. With Paula McDonald and Dionne Collinson having hits to the face, confidence was briefly knocked.

For Rochdale the game had many positives as the ladies worked hard to level the score line, but it just wasn’t meant to be, and the first half was over.

The second half was much the same with Rochdale working hard from the defence, through the middle, to the wings to meet the upfront players.

It was a whole team effort throughout the game which eventually paid off.

Gemma Hodcroft played the ball through to Roisin Pickering who took it down the right wing before passing square into the D.

Molly Barker connected with the ball and slotted it home, sending everyone off their feet with hopes of a snowball of goals on their way.

Didsbury came thick and fast after Rochdale’s goal and put another four in the back of the net.

The game became increasingly frustrating for the Rochdale team as the chances of a win, or even a draw, slipped away, regardless of their play. The game ended 7-1.

Becky Knowles: “We’ve had a bad day in the (hockey) office, but we are going to draw a line under it and move on.

“We have no games left this side of Christmas so instead we will train hard and come back fighting for top spot in the New Year.

“The girls worked really hard and the score didn’t reflect the level of determination I witnessed today.”

Player of the Match went to Becka Smith.