You have correctly identified who Offord is,I hope, not like Finney/ Lowery slip of pre-season? He isn't and never plays as a striker. What's more, as Peter Morse said before Saturday's game, he is one of the first names pencilled in. He has fantastic reading of the game and that's why he intercepts so often. Granted he didn't play particularly well on Saturday but after the two goal start we gave them, not many did. Lancashire is slow and not that sharp. On Saturday he didn't close down and allowed them a clear sight of goal for their third. (However, I do have to confess that Lowery sold himself cheaply just before the shot.)
Finally, your point about balance. Having Lancashire and Beckles together wouldn't work. You would have two solidly built CHs, one of whom is really slow and not convincing with his feet and another who has some ability but is always likely to give something away, as per Saturday.
The rest of the team I generally agree with except Lowery needs to play. It's then a toss between Murphy/Ainley/Finney for the third midfield slot. I would also stick with Powell despite his loss of form as he has more goal threat than Dale