Hockey: Rochdale Men's 2nds 7 - 3 Buxton Men's 2nds

Saturday 14 January saw Rochdale Men’s 2nds at home to top of the league Buxton, in the reverse of their opening fixture of the season. The home side were looking to get back to winning ways after last week’s defeat against Didsbury. The weather also decided to be pleasant in the main, with the forecasted heavy downpour not materialising.

​The match began at a high tempo, with both teams going for an early goal. An explosive overload down Rochdale’s left found Buxton in possession near the baseline just outside the circle. Rochdale’s centre back committed to stopping the cross, but was passed around allowing Buxton to find a forward free at the back post for a tap in. 

​It did not take the home side long to respond. A quick attacking move down Rochdale’s right produced their first penalty corner of the game. A well worked passing move at the top of the circle began to break down, but Manny Ahmed improvised well and slotted into the backboard with a firm push to level the score.

​Rochdale had been quick to level, but Buxton where even quicker to get the lead back. Another attack down the right, dragged the defence over. This time the defence did push Buxton back from the baseline, but they hit a fierce cross in from the 23m line, which was met with a first-time deflection to lob the ball over the goal keeper into the top corner to restore Buxton’s advantage.

​Things were looking tough for Rochdale, but they dug in and played their way back into the game. Fairly soon, they had won another penalty corner. This time it went to plan with the passing at the top of the circle, allowing a ball to be played to Kane Morgan at the back post to level the score again. With the score now at 2-2 and only 20 minutes gone, it was looking like it was going to be a great game for the neutrals.

​Rochdale were looking to win. To do this though, they were going to need to defend better. Thanks to some excellent marshalling from Dean Colusardo, the centre backs stopped going out wide, concentrating on cutting the service off to Buxton’s forwards. In addition the full backs started to tuck in more as the game went on and Buxton did not really find an answer to this.

No such changes were needed to Rochdale’s attacking play, who carried on as before. They won another penalty corner not long after, albeit in disputed circumstances. This time the ball was switched right and Bjorn Brauns struck a fierce low shot that was deflected by Stuart Dearden into the goal, giving the home side the lead for the first time in the game. 

Buxton were frustrated and came back strong. A little to strong perhaps, as an accidentally raised hit struck Brauns in the knee leading to him being side-lined for a time. Half time was approaching, but captain Adam Massey would score another goal before the whistle. It was again from a penalty corner, with the passing routine, allowing him a routine collect and push into the backboard from around the penalty spot.

Rochdale were 4-2 up at half time, but everyone knew they still had a mountain to climb to beat this undefeated Buxton side. A good team talk followed and encouragement to keep attacking down the right followed. They began the second half with the starting line-up.

Dropping back to the half court press for the opening exchanges, it was not long before the home side were on the front foot and won a penalty corner (after surviving some early scares). This time the ball went left and Ahmed unleashed a powerful strike into the foot of a Buxton defender. It was powerful enough that it went in before anyone could appeal for another penalty corner, giving Rochdale a three goal advantage.

Buxton did look threatening on the break, but with the full backs not committing as far forward as they had been and the centre backs staying central, the attacks largely fizzled out, leading to good counters from Rochdale. A few more penalty corners were won and another one went in. This time a passing move to the left and back to the centre, allowed Dean Close to deliver a measured push past the helpless goalkeeper, to put the game beyond reach for Buxton.

Buxton were always going to remain a constant threat though with the quality of players they had up front. This was best showcased from their first penalty corner (after Andy Meanock sportingly owned up to the ball hitting his foot in the circle). The ball was switched to the right from the top of the circle. It was struck fiercely and deflected first time into the back board to earn Buxton a third goal.

There were still ten minutes to go, so a comeback was potentially possible, but unlikely with the score at 6-3. The home side continued to defend well and attack even better. Rochdale added a final goal with two minutes to go, with Massey slotting home after a rapid counter attack from Dearden to leave the final score as Rochdale 7 - 3 Buxton.

Rochdale captain Adam Massey said: “It was a tough game to start with against an unbeaten side at the top of the league. They were much improved since we played them in the first game of the season, but fortunately, so were we. Once we got the defensive issues sorted and our attack kept scoring, it began to look more and more like we would win. It was a good performance from the lads and hopefully we can play like that against City of Manchester away next Saturday.”

Man of the match was James Trainor.