Hockey: Oldham Ladies 2nds 3 - 2 Rochdale Ladies

Photo: Rachel Jackson

Goal scorer Arabella Yates

This weekend was derby weekend as Rochdale Ladies were playing away against Oldham 2nds. It was a highly charged and tough match, but even though they went 1-0 behind before half time, overall Rochdale kept their heads and came back stronger in the second half. They changed their play to suit the pitch, making shorter, quicker passes and kept up their communication to switch the play or manoeuvre around their opponents.

Collinson was able to interrupt an Oldham pass with a sneaky jab that sent the ball away from the receiver's stick and into the path of Leech. Leech was able to pass it across to Pickering on the right wing, who ran down her line before turning into the D and having a shot on goal. The keeper saved it, but as the ball dropped between her and another Oldham player, Black swooped in and quickly tapped the ball over the backline to earn herself a goal.

Even though Rochdale made them work hard for it, Oldham were able to score another goal to put them back ahead. Rochdale quickly put that behind them and worked the pitch until they found themselves in a good position with a long corner in their favour. Collinson and Pickering bounced the ball back and forth between them as they worked around the top of the D from the left to right until Pickering had the opportunity to send a cross flying into the D. Yates was ready on the back post and was able to get control of the ball and deflect it in to bring Rochdale back level.

Despite the hard work of all their players - Leech, Hockaday & Hodcroft were working the middle ground hard to find ways through the opposition -, and some amazing work on the back line from Black and Yates every time Rochdale had another opportunity, they weren't able to score another goal and Oldham were able to find a third to win the match.

The final score was 3-2 with Lily Black and Arabella Yates as Rochdale's goal scorers.

Players of the match were Lily Black and Claire Hoyle. 

Rochdale's team:
Keeper; Sam Partington.
Defence; Dionne Collinson, Claire Hoyle, Kieran Leech & Hannah Palmer.
Midfield; Lily Black, Gemma Hodcroft, Paula McDonald & Roisin Pickering.
Forwards; Katie Burrell & Arabella Yates.
Substitutes: Claire Hockaday & Becky Knowles.

Report by Hannah Palmer