Cheadle's Title Challenge Dented By Rochdale

CHEADLE, the defending champions, are now five points adrift of Stockport, the leaders, at the top of the Men's North of England League Premier Division.

The Kingsway Sports Club side were forced to settle for an 8-8 draw at home to Rochdale, while Stockport moved a point further ahead at the summit with a hard-fought 9-4 win away to Brooklands Hulmeians. With eight games left this season it is Stockport, who have won all ten of their fixtures so far, who are clear favourites to become the new champions barring any major slip ups. Both clubs are also through to the semi-finals of the Northern Senior Flags, with this year's line-up drawn tonight at the next NOE League Forum meeting. Is there a chance of a title double on the cards for either club?

Heaton Mersey, who are third, remain in the title race and if they win their game in hand would leapfrog Cheadle into second place and be four points off the pace.
But unless there are any big surprises and surges from clubs like Wilmslow and Manchester Waconians over the coming weeks, this season's title race is looking ever more likely to head in Stockport's direction for the first time since 2007.

The secret to Cheadle's success last season, when they won their first Premier Division crown since 2003, was an impressive run which yielded a staggering 17 wins from 18 fixtures. However, just past the halfway stage of the season and Cheadle have drawn three fixtures and have also been beaten by their arch-rivals.

Midfielder Paul Flowers top-scored with a hat-trick for Cheadle, while Martin Paterson, Chris Elia, Daren Baythorpe, Mike Holdsworth and Ady Bennett were also on target for the home side. Ahead 6-4 at half-time, Cheadle saw Rochdale fight back to win the second half 4-2 and deservedly take a point from their travels. Attacker Joe Longley led the way with three goals, while fellow attacker Nicky Watson had a impressive six-point game with a goal and five valuable assists. Midfielder Neil Marshall bagged a brace, while Rob Nugent and Aaron Duckworth also scored as Dale moved up one place to third from bottom in the tale and eased their relegation fears.
It was only Dale's fourth point of the season - and could prove very important if the Lancashire club are going to avoid the drop this season. Midfielder James Ayrton also deserved praise having dominated the face-off by winning 11 of the 15 he contested to give Dale plenty of possession.

Stockport had their goalkeeper Ben McAllister to thank for an inspired afternoon between the posts. The England international made 16 blocks from 20 shots to frustrate hosts Brooklands. Doubles from Owen Jones, Tom Gosnay and Tom Patterson also helped the Stockport cause, while attacker Paul Fullerton, Greg Rowlinson and Steve Howe scored singles as the Beech Road boys never lost a quarter in the match - 3-1, 1-1, 1-1 and 4-1 in last. Brooklands keeper Maz Hassan made 12 saves for the home club and midfielder James Bates won 10 of 17 faces, as well as scoring. But even further goals from Ryan Sweetman, Steve Grace and Sam Dexter were not enough for Hulmeians to take something from the contest.

Neil Goulding English Lacrosse Association