By Neil Goulding (English Lacrosse Press Officer, 07813 859986)
STOCKPORT and Rochdale will lock horns in this season's Northern Senior Flags final on Sunday 11th April.
Beaten in last season's final by Cheadle, Stockport will be looking to win their first Senior Flags title since 2005 having gained revenge on their arch-rivals.
For Rochdale it will be the Lancashire club's first-ever appearance in a Senior Flags final since the competition's inauguration in 1883.
Stockport, who are flying high at the top of the Men's North of England League Premier Division, booked their place in this year's final with a hard-fought 7-6 victory.
And Rochdale made sure of their place by beating Timperley by the same scoreline in their semi-final meeting.
Chris Bland, Tom Gosney and Paul Fullerton both bagged braces for Stockport in their win, with Steve Howe also on target.
But it was Cheadle who led 2-0 after the first quarter and whom held a slender 2-1 lead at half-time.
Stockport fought back to win the third quarter 3-1 to leave the match finely-balanced 4-4, before edging the final quarter 3-2 to clinch victory.
Ahead 7-5 Stockport saw Cheadle score with 30 seconds remaining, but there comeback was just too late with a new Senior Flags winner set to be confirmed next month.
Martin Patterson top-scored with a hat-trick for Cheadle, Chris Elia scored twice and Ady Bennett was also on target.
But the real stars were both team's goalkeepers. England international Ben McAllister starred with 16 saves from 23 shots to keep Cheadle at bay, while Rob Williams had a solid game for the defending champions.
Rochdale had plenty to smile about as they made history by making sure of their first-ever Senior Flags final place - with the added bonus of playing on home turf at this year's Festival Weekend which will once again be staged at Dale's Bridgefold Road ground.
Neil Marshall impressed with three goals for Dale, with Glen Humphries, Rob Nugent, Joe Longley and Nicky Watson were also on target.
This year's Junior Flags final will be contested between Norbury and Sheffield University.
Norbury turned on the style to register a 12-3 victory over Timperley A in their semi-final clash on Sunday, while Sheffield beat Boardman and Eccles 9-4 to secure their place in this year's final, which will be played on Saturday 10th April
Sunday 28th February 2010
MEN, Northern Senior Flags - semi-finals: Cheadle 6 Stockport 7, Rochdale 7 Timperley 6
Junior Flags - semi-finals: Norbury 12 Timperley A 3, Sheffield University 9 Boardman and Eccles 4
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