Rochdale Online Alliance Football League Report

Rochdale Online Alliance Football League

Woodbank maintained their early season lead in the Sartori Sharpening Services Premier Division with a home win over last season’s champions Balderstone at Nuttall Park.

Goals from Staniland and Kelly gave the visitors an early two goal lead, and this was a lead they held on to deep into the second period before Woodbank’s greater possession and fitness finally held sway. James McDonald netted four of his sides goals with the fifth from Taylor.

Falcon are second after edging out Rochdale Asia by the odd goal in five in a bad tempered affair at Littleborough Sports Centre. Conner, Newall and Jackson scored for Falcon with Omar Malik and Rushton replying for Asia.

With three of our teams in “Europe” the only other top flight game saw Rochdale Sacred Heart put nine past Walsden at Firgrove. Lyons 4, Patel 3, Harrison and Barnes were the scorers for a Hearts side now up to third, but for Walsden a troubled start to the season continues.

Mighty Dragons maintained their perfect start in the Matthew Montgomery & Co First Division with a comfortable away win at Horse & Farrier courtesy of goals from Wilds 3, Dinn 2, Gibson and Comerfor, while newly formed Falcon 2nds earned their first ever points with a 2-1 at Greenvale against F&W Rovers thanks to goals from Buonocore and Halliday.

Rochdale Galaxy and Chadderton Park have also made positive starts after last season’s travails, and both collected their second win in three games ; Galaxy’s an impressive 3-2 away win over Hargreaves and Chadderton Park’s a more routine 5-1 victory over Wardle OB at Firgrove with goals from Jennings, Eastwood, Grant, Nicholls and Naylor.

Our three sides involved in the Lancashire Amateur Cup met with mixed fortunes ; White Lion were beaten 4-0 at home by LAL Premier Division Champions Prestwich and Sudden were beaten 6-2 at Rishton United. However, Fothergill & Whittles will fly the ROAFL flag in Round 2 after a 2-1 home win over Wigan based Shevington FC; the draw not too kind to them as they must travel to face L&C big guns Whalley Range on Saturday 11 October.