Rochdale Ladies Hockey Club had an early start to Saturday with an away game in Buxton with a 10am pushback.
The defence was made up of Claire Hoyle in goal, Kieran Leech at left back, Dionne Collinson and Gill Owen in the middle and Becky Moon at right back.
Alice Cowdell made her debut for Rochdale as she played with Paula McDonald in the middle. Daisy Parton took left wing with Roisin Pickering on right wing. The upfront players were Lily Black and Becky Knowles.
The game started at a slow tempo with both teams needing to find their feet however it wasn’t long before Rochdale settled in and started to press up the pitch.
Buxton had numerous shots on goal but Hoyle expertly – with the help of the defenders – blocked every attempt. With the help of Pickering and Parton on the wings to take the ball back into Rochdale’s attacking half.
Cowdell worked tirelessly in the middle with MacDonald but it was soon short lived as she had to come off due to injury. Collinson pushed up into the middle and Michelle Hoyle made her comeback to the team, after a 12 year hiatus, in the middle with Owen.
Just before half time Buxton secured two goals.
At halftime the ladies welcomed an inured Cowdell back on the pitch upfront and Knowles took the middle spot whilst Michelle Hoyle returned to the sideline.
Numerous short corners allowed Cowdell to get her fierce shot off but unfortunately the Buxton goalkeeper managed to block each one. Despite Knowles, Pickering and Parton, MacDonald working hard with the short corners to deflect the rebounds into the back of the goal. Moon and Leech supporting the ball when it came back into the defensive half.
Buxton we’re pushing high up the pitch and putting pressure on Rochdale’s defence securing their third goal of the game. Although, Owen worked hard to send the ball out to Moon and Leech however it wasn’t long before a ball to the face forced Owen to the subs bench. Michelle Hoyle then returned back on the pitch for Owen. Hoyle was repeatedly challenged by the Buxton upfront but stopped every attempt showing that despite a long time away from hockey, she has most definitely not “lost it”.
The game ended 3–0 to Buxton with the Rochdale team satisfied with their performance.
Captain Collinson: “A great game. A nice team, good umpires and some real good play. Well done girls.”