Hockey: Rochdale Ladies 0 - 1 Didsbury Greys

Roisin Pickering managed to take a strike in the game

This weekend Rochdale were home against Didsbury Greys 2nds. With the forecasted rain just about holding off and a full squad of substitutes, Rochdale's spirits were high that they could improve on their seven two loss against the same team at the beginning of the season.

Didsbury started as the stronger attacking team, forcing Rochdale's defence to dig in to keep them at bay. They did a good job of doing so, and despite also having to defend a few short corners Didsbury weren't able to win anything until finally the ball deflected in off Hoyle's stick in an unlucky attempt to block it. Even so Rochdale were still able to make a number of good attempts to secure themselves a goal, but were unable to capitalise on their opportunities in the first half.

Being only one nil down at half time Rochdale were confident that with their current form, it was possible for them to earn a draw, and just maybe a win. It showed when the second half started and Rochdale were quickly piling the pressure on. Hodcroft, Knowles and Pickering displayed some excellent intuition as they passed the ball between each other on the right wing to outmanoeuvre the opposition and work their way down the pitch until they came up across the Didsbury back line.

A short corner in Rochdale's favour was expertly defended when Pickering took a strike. In fact Didsbury's strong defence became a theme of thwarting Rochdale's hopes of a goal. On the opposite wing a free sideline ball from Collinson found Parton, who carried the ball down the wing before seamlessly reverse passing it off to Hodcroft to continue the flow of play. Hodcroft was able to work her way into the D, but Didsbury's defence quickly closed her down. She attempted to pass it off to another striker, but Didsbury didn't let an angle on goal open up and the ball was seen off the back line.

Despite many opportunities for a Rochdale goal in the second half, their defence didn't have it easy. On a number of occasions Hoyle expertly held the line to allow the rest of Rochdale's defence to get back and dig in after pushing up to help their midfield and strikers. But each time Didsbury thought they'd managed to break, Rochdale just as quickly regrouped to prevent them getting a goal. A free hit from Collinson sailed past most players as it swooped down to the pitch to where Burrell was in Didsbury's D, she took a touch before launching a great reverse stick strike but unfortunately just went wide of goal.

Unfortunately Rochdale were unable to muster up a better opportunity before the full time whistle went and the final score was 0-1.

Daisy Parton was named player of the match and umpire's player of the match.

Captain Collinson said: "Our last game against Didsbury ended 7-2, todays game ended 1-0. This just shows how much we are improving even with the festive break in between. Well done each and every one of you, you all put in 110% and it really paid off.”

Rochdale's team:
Keeper; Sam Partington.
Defence; Dionne Collinson, Claire Hoyle, Gill Owen & Hannah Palmer.
Midfield; Gemma Hodcroft, Paula McDonald, Roisin Pickering & Lily Black.
Forwards; Katie Burrell & Becky Knowles.
Substitutes: Claire Hockaday, Arabella Yates, Rachael Richardson, Daisy Parton & Julie Peters.