Hockey: Rochdale Ladies 3 - 2 Bowdon Ladies

Photo: Rachel Jackson

Goal scorer Arabella Yates

With their final match of the season being at home - hosting Bowdon 6ths, Rochdale ladies were raring to go out with a bang. Having felt unlucky throughout the season that they could hold their own but never quite get close enough to secure their own goals, they had everything to prove, and they delivered on that with three excellent goals this weekend.

The first came from Leech intercepting a Bowdon sixteen hit on the left wing, who passed it off to Hodcroft. She weaved her way further down the line before passing it to Yates who had run towards the left post. She took a shot, but the keeper saved it. Not to be deterred Yates dove for the rebound and tried again, and then another time before she was able to lift it over the keeper's foot to finally send it over the line.

The second also came off Yates, but was set up by Collinson's tackle blocking the ball around the halfway line. Then she slammed it up to Pickering at the top of the right wing, who in turn pivoted and smacked it across the D to where Yates had run into space near the left post. Yates was able to deflect the cross into the back of the goal before the keeper was able to shift to cover the new angle.

The third was from a short corner. Yates injected the ball up to Hodcroft at the top of the D, who handed it off left to Knowles, who took her shot with a lifted sweep into the back of the net.

That isn't to say that Bowdon made it easy for them, they were able to pull back with a goal of their own before halftime, putting the scoreline at three one. And despite all of Rochdale's efforts they were able to claw back another during the second half. But neither team gave up fighting for the ball or pushing for more goals. Rochdale's defence were able to see off every short corner their opponents won, and their strikers kept troubling Bowdon's defence as well until the final whistle went.

The final score was 3-2, with Becky Knowles (1) and Arabella Yates (2) as Rochdale's goal scorers.

Players of the match were Arabella Yates and Gemma Hodcroft.

Captain Collinson said: "What a game. A great way to end a rocky season. Thanks to every single player who turned up week in, week out and put their all in. See you at our awards do next week!”

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