SCUNTHORPE 3    ROCHDALE AFC LADIES 3

A hot sunny day and a baked hard pitch are not the best for football, with the uneven bounce and wind made good passing all but impossible for both sides. Dale began well enough Anna Renken upfront as a lone striker, Dale should have been 3 nil up before Scunthorpe scored a cracker hitting the Dale crossbar and bouncing in the net, Dale then seemed to be second to every ball after the goal despite dominating beforehand. A poor back pass from Nicola Ireson gave Scunthorpe a corner, which was headed down to the goal line and keeper Lauren Bracewell, could not hold and Scunthorpe's Captain put in the back of net. Pressure from Dale brought a goal back scored by Sarah Buffel just before half time.

A few harsh words were spoken at the break by Dale's management and a new team emerged to rally and dominate play. Rachael Wood and Lisa Wood both crossed well into Scunthorpe's box but the leveller came as Wood swung in a corner and Buffel headed home. Lizzie Paul  replaced Holly Newman and Lyndsey Burtonwood came on for Abi Ramsay. Dale piled on the pressure and with only 5 minutes remaining Rachael Wood was fouled on the outside of Scunthorpe's area Jennie Cummins took the free kick aiming at the back post and Steph Bell rose highest heading home a fantastic goal.

That should have been game over but poor defending from a Scunthorpe throw in found Dale at 3 3 with only a minute remaining. At the end it felt like a defeat Lauren Bracewell also received a knee injury and Jennie Cummins had to put on the keeper's jersey for the last few kicks of the game.

Dale's final game of the season is at home to West Auckland on May