Hockey: Timperley Men's 6ths 3 - 2 Rochdale Men's 2nds

Adam Boodeea was named man of the match

Rochdale Men's 2nd team took on Timperley Men's 6ths away from home Saturday 12 November. Rochdale managed to take 12 players and the weather was good for hockey, although the late push back time meant the second half would require floodlights.

The match started well for Rochdale, with the half court press denying Timperley a way through early on and allowed for some good counter attacks, which allowed a few early chances that forced saves from Timperley's goal keeper. Unfortunately, Rochdale's attacks would lead to bad news before good, as Kane Morgan went down with a sprained ankle, requiring an early substitution.

Rochdale were not stopped though and soon won two penalty corners in quick succession. The first was unsuccessful, as the Timperley defence knew exactly what Rochdale were doing and picked the cross off as it came in. The second was better however, as Manny Ahmed expertly rounded the front runner and slap hit a cross at pace. This was slap hit into the bottom corner of the backboard first time by Graham Broadley to give him his first goal of the season and Rochdale's first of the match.

The rest of the first half was much the same, with Rochdale in control and Timperley unable to find a way through. There were some more good chances, with Josh Robinson producing a great strike that the Timperley keeper only just kept out.

The second half started much the same with Rochdale going back to a half court press to conserve energy. Timperley were keen for an equaliser, but attacked with patience. They would be caught out on the counter however, as James Trainor tackled, then powered down the right, hitting a hard cross straight to Mike Leaning, who calmly collected the ball at the top of the circle, before slotting a push past the on rushing goal keeper into the bottom corner to double Rochdale's lead.

The away side were on top and playing well, but tiredness started creeping in and the lack of substitutes began to tell. Timperley started to find ways through using their experience and managed to get someone back post for a tap in on the counter, to get a goal back.

With several players carrying injuries and only one substitute (who was also injured), it became a question of whether Rochdale could hold out. Unfortunately, Timperley got themselves a short corner. The D top striker dragged wide to create the room and hit a hard strike that was too powerful for Rochdale's keepers stick and found the bottom corner to level the scores.

Rochdale were digging in deep to hold out for a draw or sneak a win, but it was not to be. With five minutes to go, Timperley got in round the back and bobbled a cross over a defenders stick, for their striker to sweep a slap hit into the bottom corner to put Timperley ahead for the first time in the game. Rochdale tried hard to get one back but it wasn't to be, final score 3-2 to Timperley.

It was a hard fought game and it was for the most part a good team performance. The players couldn't have given any more on the day and it was just a lack of bodies that cost them in the end.

Man of the match was well deserved by Adam Boodeea who had an excellent game.