A TERRIFIC comeback saw MFC Ladies earn themselves a point after finding themselves two goals down.

Rochdale started the game with lots of enthusiasm and totally dominated the first half, with Boro looking out of sorts.

First team keeper Ami Bullen suffered a twisted ankle in training during the week so 15-year-old Lydia Brown made her debut and was kept pretty busy from the start.

Rochdale grew in confidence as the game went on, with Boro offering little resistance and Brown held on very well to several difficult shots. 

But Boro finally conceded in the 40th minute when Rochdale's Stephanie Bell found herself totally unmarked just inside Boro's penalty area and found herself with time to control the ball, turn and pick her spot.

Just two minutes later Rochdale nearly scored again but Brown stopped brilliantly with an instinctive save and the ball was scrambled away.

Boro's Dinsdale then received the ball just outside the Rochdale box but was unable to get any power into her shot, only managing to shoot into the keeper's arms. 

But the second half saw a much livelier and more competitive Boro display.

Susan Badger replaced the injured Becky Hanratty on the left and immediately went on a great run down the wing, crossing dangerously into the box - with Duckling just unable to connect.

However, with Boro really pressing for an equaliser, Rochdale went further ahead with Sue Perry sliding the ball into the net from five yards out in the 67th minute.



Boro immediately pushed forward with Duckling, pictured above, and Cutler forcing saves from Rochdale's keeper. 

In the 72nd minute Boro finally scored when Charlotte Dinsdale headed past the advancing keeper from just inside the box.

This really lifted Boro and they kept the pressure on. A fine through ball saw Duckling race past two defenders but the keeper bravely saved at her feet.

Another chance went begging from a driven cross right across the penalty area, with two Boro players just failing to connect.

Then a fantastic shot from Stacey Cutler in the 80th minute brought the game level.

Rochdale keeper kicked the ball out from her area, Cutler intercepted 40 yards out, looked up and hammered the ball over the keeper and into the net.

The match livened up with end to end action, both teams looking for a winner but it was Boro who came closest.

A great run from Cutler ended with a low cross across the six-yard box but Dinsdale failed to connect properly and just missed the target.

More pressure from Boro with two goalmouth scrambles but Rochdale cleared and went close themselves at the other end.  

"It was a funny game for Boro," said manager Marrie Wieczorek. "At half-time we could have been five goals down but by the end of the game we could have won it, so I suppose a draw seems a fair result.

"There were good opening games for Dinsdale and Cutler, both back from playing at colleges in USA.

"Lydia Brown did exceptionally well in goal, Becky Cartwright was strong in defence and Nicky Duckling impressive up front."

Next week Boro are at home again with Curzon Ashton of Oldham are the visitors, with 2pm kick off at Billingham Synthonia's Central Avenue.