ROCHDALE AFC LADIES3SALFORD SPORTS 1

After last week's dismal result today's visitors Salford who defeated league leaders Leeds 4 1 Dale knew they needed a emphatic win. A bitterly cold wind and flurries of snow flew into Dale's faces from the start as dale produced some good football, narrowly missing Salford's goal in the first five minutes.

Dale broke the deadlock as holly Newman won the ball in centre mid and found Rachael Wood, Woody chipped the ball over Salford's back four and Sarah Buffel struck home for Dale. But Salford were back level just 5 minutes later 1 1 at the break.

Now at the restart Dale had the wind behind them and Salford played into poor conditions. Dale began to assert their authority as Buffel and Steph Bell both went close. Lyndsey Burtonwood replaced injured Lizzie Paul and dale began to dominate the play , Steph Bell curled a ball to Wood at left mid field and Woody outpaced her marker to loft the ball over the keeper to make it 2 1 .Lisa Wood replaced Jennie Cummins and a switch of positions found Sarah Buffel at centre half alongside Claire Pearson both held the line well against a formidable strike force of Salford.

Lauren Bracewell began the move which lead to dale's third goal as rolled the ball out to Kim Hines at right back, Kim found Siobhan McElhinney at centre mid. Siobhan hit a long ball to Rachael Wood who coolly slotted past the keeper putting the game out of Salford's reach.

A good performance from Dale and next match is away at Scunthorpe Sunday 8^th Feb