Hockey: Rochdale Men’s 2nds 2 - 1 Bolton Men’s 2nds

This Saturday was a must win match for Rochdale against Bolton in a battle to avoid relegation. Going into the match Bolton were in better form than the home side, having drawn and won their last two games putting them above Rochdale who haven’t picked up any points yet in 2022. However, Rochdale's results haven’t reflected the quality of their performances and they went into the game believing they could get something out of it.

It would be Bolton who started a bit keener, aggressively pushing on to look for the opening goal with a high line and tempo to match. They would largely be frustrated by the dogged determination of the Rochdale midfield early on, typified by Andy Meanock’s impressive work rate and commitment.

It was not too long before the away side started to find a way through, though they didn’t create many shots in open play thanks to responsive defending, they did force a few errors resulting in penalty corners. These were closed down well in the first half and the chances were largely wasted, although Dean Colusardo, in Rochdale goal, was forced into making a few smart saves once they got their eye in.

The home team needed to start getting on the front foot and gradually the experience and leadership of Affan Burki started to gain a foothold in the midfield battle, allowing Bjorne Brauns and James Trainor to start using their pace and opening up the Bolton back line for some chances for the home side, with the experience and quality of Josh Robinson posing a real threat.

Rochdale were starting to get to grips with the game and were winning some penalty corners of their own, however a change in Bolton’s formation and personnel brought on higher forwards and more pace, which caused Rochdale’s high line some problems. It also started to open a bit of a gap between the home sides attack and defence. The best Bolton chance came from a hit around the top of the D to someone near the goal post, who deflected it towards to the roof of the net, but lightening reactions from Colusardo kept the scores level.

A planned change in formation got the game slightly back in Rochdale’s favour, with Mike Bohanna coming on to make a back four, with the skilful Ali slotting in at centre back with the ever-brilliant Dave Marlow. The change in formation worked well and the home team finished the first half much better than they had started it, although the score line hadn’t changed with both teams keeping a clean sheet.

The half time team talk was largely positive, and the more experienced lads on the home side, noticed that Bolton were quite tired as well which boosted moral a bit and players made an effort to keep warm so as to start the second half strong.

Reverting back to the five-man midfield, Rochdale started to attack in earnest, forcing the away team to defend deeper than they would have liked. It was not long before some strong hits started to head goalward as the home team began to turn possession into chances. The opening goal did not come from brute strength (although Brauns has that in spades) but rather from a clever finish from Brauns, who receiving the ball back on the 23-metre line drove at a packed D, got inside, spun and released a swift push at the bottom corner, knowing the keeper wouldn’t see it through the bodies until it was nearly in the back of the net. It was a fine margin, with the ball hitting the inside of the left post, but this time it bounced inwards and struck the right back board to give Rochdale a deserved lead.

The away team were by no means out of the match, getting a second wind as they looked for an equaliser. Some brilliant covering by the midfield and some good sweeping from Rochdale's back three kept them at bay and it was not long before Dale extended their lead. A good recycling of play on the left wing with Steve Hirst playing it back to centre back Graham Broadley, who held it for a moment before sending it back where it had come from, giving Hirst a run at the Bolton back line, which he made the most of driving deep into the D and forcing a penalty corner.

These have not been capitalised on well so far this season but this one would be an exception. Hirst injected the ball to the right of D top to captain Adam Massey, who was tempted to play it across the top of the circle, but saw that Hirst had run in and was open at the back post. It was a good push back to him and a brilliant first-time slap hit, showing good technique to keep the ball low and hit the back board for Rochdale’s second.

It was never going to be an easy win over Bolton for the home side, they were always going to have to fight for it. With twenty minutes to go, it was going to turn in to an even harder battle for the home side, as two key injuries in quick succession would force an early formation change. The first to go down was Massey, the Rochdale captain, who leading by example went in for a challenge, half went down while forcing them back before committing to winning the ball at the second attempt while hitting the deck. Concentrating on dispossessing Bolton, which he achieved, he didn’t take any measures to break his fall, meaning his knee took the full impact on the AstroTurf. It quickly swelled and seized up, so the sensible precaution of taking him off was carried out.

The second big injury was Dave Marlow, with the centre back's hamstring going again. Hopefully it was just a strain, but with him unable to run, Mike Bohanna came on earlier than expected as Dale tried to quickly adjust into a back four. It was not as easy as the first half transition because a few players had to play out of position, with Hirst doing an excellent job at left back and Trainor stepping up and doing very well at left wing.

Once it got set up the new formation worked well, but the balance was starting to shift back in Bolton’s favour slightly, as they put more pressure on the home team. Forcing a penalty corner, they got off a first-time strike, which was saved but came back to a forward on the top of the D. He was closed down, but only fouled really. The Bolton kept at it, found a moment for a slap hit and slotted it into the back board. The score was now 2-1 and there was still four minutes to play.

Rochdale could easily have panicked, with no subs or captain but the strength of team character that has been built up over this season shone through. The team kept encouraging each other and just tried to keep hold of the ball high up the pitch. With great relief the final whistle went and Rochdale had got the three points in a must win game to keep the hope of staying up alive.

It was a tough game against quality in-form opposition, combined with a few set backs but the lads put the work in again, showed good character and discipline to get a well earned three points. Fortunately they now have a week off to recover before they face Bury on Saturday 5 March in another must win match.