Football: Morecambe 4 - 3 Rochdale AFC Youth Team

Rochdale AFC Youth Team

Rochdale's  Youth Team were on the wrong end of a seven-goal thriller against Morecambe in the EFL North West Youth Alliance League on Saturday.

The hosts took the lead midway through the first-half, when a Rochdale goal kick was headed back over the defence, latched onto by the Morecambe striker, and finished coolly.

They doubled the lead just three minutes later, heading home from a corner kick.

Florian Yonsian halved the deficit on the stroke of half-time, latching on to Florent Hoti’s perfectly weighted through ball to finish from close range.

Morecambe restored their two-goal cushion shortly after the hour mark, picking up on a loose pass before driving forward and getting shot away which found the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

The deficit was halved again just two minutes later, as Yonsian converted from the penalty spot for his second, after Juwon Hamzat was dragged to ground inside the area.

The home side went two goals ahead for a third time when a corner was volleyed home from 12-yards with 15 minutes to go, but Dale got back within one again eight minutes later.

Substitute Morgan Moreland’s cross found Fabio Tavares, whose excellent touch and finish on the half volley found the bottom corner.

However, Rochdale couldn’t find an equaliser despite late pressure.

Rochdale AFC Youth Team: Chalton, Martin, Neild, Hamzat, Dunne, Phillips, Hoti, Bradley, Kisimba, Tavares, Yonsian.
Substitutes: Moreland, Clarkson, Chorlton, Kinsella, Wright.