Slow start costly for Paddy

Photo: PICTURE: CHRIS SUNDERLAND

GOING FOR IT: Oldham’s Nathan Eastmond (left) makes a challenge.

FOOTBALL:

Oldham Sunday League 1, Rochdale Sunday League 3

THE Oldham Sunday League succumbed to a superior Rochdale side in the final of the Three Counties Inter-League Trophy at Boundary Park.

It seemed Oldham was always chasing the game after Scott Hopley's 24th-minute strike had put Rochdale in front.

Nathan Eastmond levelled for Oldham two minutes before half-time with a fine solo effort, only for Lee Kershaw – with a spot-kick – and the outstanding Kyle Harrop to score soon after the break and put the issue beyond doubt.

Any slight hope Oldham had was diminished on 68 minutes when Carl Caffrey was dismissed for a two-footed lunge.

Oldham were lucky not to have been a man down shortly shortly before when goalkeeper Matthew Wheelton rushed off his line only to upend an oncoming striker. The resultant penalty was dispatched by Kershaw.

On the plus side, Eastmond was a lively performer up front, while co-striker Ryan Hobin made some telling runs.

A rueful Paddy McGuirk, the Oldham manager, said: "We just started too slow and switched off at key moments.

"We had three key players missing in Dominic Hallam, Andrew Walker and Chris Pauley, but Rochdale were the better team on the day."