Hockey: Rochdale Ladies 0 - 5 Stockport Bramhall Ladies 2nds

Photo: Rachel Jackson

Player of the match was Gemma Hodcroft

Saturday 15 January was the first match of 2022 for Rochdale Ladies Hockey Club, and despite the fact that they hadn't played a game for a month and a half, they were determined to show what they could do.

It quickly became clear both teams were gunning for a win, Stockport had won the pushback, but Hodcroft made quick work of stealing the ball from them and handed it off to Pickering as they worked their way down the pitch passing between each other until Pickering crossed it into the D. Unfortunately Stockport's defenders were ready to intercept it and they made their own push for a goal. Knowles and Collinson did some excellent work in the centre-ground to hold them there, but Stockport finally found a way down a wing, Leech blocked their path but they were able to pass it to a player at the top of the D, who launched it at the top of the goal, only for Partington to shove her gloves in front of it and send it soaring over the crossbar in a spectacular save.

As the game progressed Rochdale kept up their determination, working well together to dig deep into Stockport's defence. Richardson and Knowles did some excellent passing to hold it there as they sought a way past the opposition, and both strikers and midfielders kept moving to try and open up a route to the goal. They ran out of luck when a Stockport player was finally able to seize control of the ball and send it to one of their midfielders. Palmer was able to tackle the ball from them and swept it back up the pitch to Burrell who had found a pocket of open space. Burrell passed it square to Banks who made another run into the D, but was prevented from scoring.

The scoreline did not reflect how well Rochdale were playing and coping with some players out of their regular playing positions, with both Leech and Collinson pushing into midfield as Hoyle and Moon came on as defenders, allowing Knowles to get back into more comfortable ground as a forward. Despite some excellent passing, chasing, holding and blocking by all they were 2-0 down at halftime.

Both teams dug into the second half with the same grit and determination as before. Moon quickly swept in to stop a Stockport attack and fired the ball up to Leech who rocketed up the wing before passing the ball for Knowles to run into the D with. Stockport forced them back out, passing wide to Moon who crossed it to Hodcroft whose pass in was stopped by a foot. Rochdale were determined to make the most of their short corner, but the strike went just the wrong side of the post.

Stockport had their best successes when they retaliated quickly after a Rochdale press, breaking through the midfield and coming up against Rochdale's defence, either being channelled out to the wings or coming up against the stalwart Owen. Rochdale's defence stopped far more than they let slip, but ultimately Stockport were able to secure some goals.

If Partington wanted a chance to show off her excellent skills, she'd got a whole match to do so. Especially frustrating Stockport as they kept striking from rebounds off Partington only for her to block each subsequent attempt until Rochdale were able to clear it out of their D. Much like the first half, Rochdale had some great team work getting them into Stockport's defensive area, but due to some unlucky shots or good defending from the opposition they were unable to convert those chances into goals. They came closest after Pickering dodged around the opposition on a run down the wing before cutting into the D, and her cross found a foot, resulting in a short corner. Knowles hit it to Hodcroft at the top who passed it sideways to Burrell only for the keeper to save it, and unfortunately they weren't able to capture the rebound.

Both teams kept battling all the way to the full time whistle, final score was 0-5, with no Rochdale goal scorers.

Player of the match was Gemma Hodcroft and umpire's player of the match was Sam Partington. 

Captain Knowles said: "Not the result we wanted but plenty to work on and some good periods of play. Onwards and upwards.”

Rochdale's team for this week:
Keeper; Sam Partington.
Defence; Dionne Collinson, Kieran Leech, Gill Owen & Hannah Palmer.
Midfield; Gemma Hodcroft, Becky Knowles, Roisin Pickering & Rachael Richardson.
Forwards; Jenny Banks & Katie Burrell.
Subsitutes: Claire Hoyle & Becki Moon.