By Ron Hodkin
FBT Manchester League Premier Division
AFC Monton hosted this fixture against an in-form Rochdale outfit at the Albert Park sports AstroTurf pitch as New Alder Park was waterlogged and emerged as winners after a closely fought game.
Both sides looked sharp and started with good tempo to their game and the visitors almost took an early lead after a throw in deceived Ammies keeper Phil Pole but just skidded past his far post.
Monton took the game to Rochdale and created a series of probing moves with tidy, slick passing and on thirty minutes a perfect through ball by Josh Rowlands found Mark Bradshaw spin off his marker only to be hauled down in the penalty area as he prepared to shoot. The resulting spot kick converted by Mike Gill and the dismissal of the Rochdale captain changed the game but actually inspired the visitors as they re- shuffled their side and managed to level the scores on the stroke of half time as Monton failed to clear the ball from a free kick.
The second half once more saw both sides play some good, creative football and Monton claimed a reward just five minutes in as Mark Bradshaw found the back of the Rochdale net with a half chance finish from twelve yards out to give them the lead.
With neither side ever really in control of the game the resulting thirty minutes offered the large crowd of spectators an exciting end to the game especially as Rochdale threw caution to the wind and tried to bombard the Monton defence with high crosses only to find Monton’s keeper Phil Pole stand strong and brave and deal admirably with them.
Overall both sides created several good goal scoring opportunities in a quality game of football on a very fast surface and the welcome three points achieved by the Ammies lifted them to sixth place in the League.
