ROCHDALE REPORT

Where to start? 

The football season kicked off for us at Spotland, and boy did it kick off in style. 

I travelled over with my good friend, arriving in Greater Manchester at around 1.45pm, and after a pre-match pint it was time to focus on the job in hand - taking my first proper look at Hillcroft's BFC, 'Stage 2'. 

We fielded as strong a side as possible, with perhaps only Bobby Hassell unlucky not to start. 
Kelvin Etuhu was in behind Craig Davies, with Jacob Mellis in a deeper role, central alongside David Perkins. 
Our usual center half pairing of Stephen Foster and new captain Jimmy McNulty were there, with Scott Wiseman at left back, and 18 year old Barnsley lad John Stones on the right. Ahead of the full-backs offering width, were Jim O'Brien (R) and Matty Done (L). 
New keeper Ben Alnwick made his first competitive start in goal. 

It was amusing to hear the PA guy doing his best to introduce the plethora of new signings for Rochdale, as well as the many ex Dale players now lining up for us. Although, I did struggle to hear/decipher a word he said. He reminded me of Phoenix Nights character 'RayVon'. 

There seemed to be a decent following, in support of the Reds. I'd assume somewhere around the 1000 mark. Not only did we look to have outnumbered the Dale lot, but the vocal encouragement given to the new look Reds was great to hear also. If only the same could be said for our supporters at Oakwell... 

And so, on a beautiful August day, the game began. 

A couple of early sliding tackles from Jim O'Brien out wide increased the volume, as chants of "Keith Hill's Red and White Army" rang around the stadium. 

We created the first real chance, as Davies' early turn and shot from the edge of the box was saved comfortably by Josh Lillis in the Rochdale goal. 

With 5 minutes played, the home side were having early joy down their right, with Wiseman in particular struggling. A deflected Andrew Tutte effort from distance, forced Alnwick into a routine save to his right. 
But a minute or so later and a long diagonal ball out of defence caught out Wiseman who jumped far too early, leaving George Donnelly the freedom down the right to pick out Tutte, whose delicious curled effort beat Alnwick from a good 25 yards out. It was a peach of a finish, and the League Two side were ahead.

Rochdale were pressing hard, and forcing us to go backwards. We were struggling badly. 

Again, on 12 minutes, they attacked down our left. 
A great cross from Tutte was met by the head of Ashley Grimes, but he put it well over when he really should have scored. 

Dale were bossing midfield, with both Tutte and captain Peter Cavanagh in particular shining.

15 minutes in and Jim O'Brien went down awkwardly out wide, clutching his shoulder after a challenge from Kevin McIntyre, just in front of the advertising hoardings. 
Play was held up whilst O'Brien received treatment, including gas and air. 
He was eventually stretchered away to be replaced on the pitch by former Rochdale favourite Chris Dagnall. 

With around 20 minutes gone, Barnsley looked nervous. And hesitancy at the back from Foster nearly saw Grimes in for a second. 

It seemed the Reds center halves had been told to forget challenging Dele Adebola in the air, and concentrate on winning the second balls. But unfortunately, Adebola was dominating them, both in the air and on the floor. 

Finally, a meaningful Reds attack, as Davies dummied for Dagnall to sprint through towards the area, only for the defender to get back and challenge. However, the ball broke for Done out wide, just left of the box, and he was met by walkabout Dale keeper Lillis who he went around, but his ball into the area for Dagnall was cleared at the near post by Ryan Edwards. 

Rochdale went up the other end and Cavanagh had Alnwick stretching to push behind for a corner. 

Tarn were looking bereft of ideas, but with just a few minutes left of the first half, Davies turned his marker about 40 yards from goal only to be dragged back. 
Just left of centre, Mellis swung over the free kick to the back post and Stones beat his man to head towards goal, and the ball deflected past Lillis to give Barnsley an undeserved equaliser. 

HALF TIME 

Stones celebrates his first ever Reds goal

Barnsley came out in the second half, and Etuhu, who was operating out on the right after O'Brien's departure, was looking threatening. 

But it was the home side who created the first chance, as Cavanagh's cross found Grimes in acres of space inside the area, only for the striker's touch to desert him, leaving Alnwick to claim it easily. 

There seemed to be more width for the Reds though, and Wiseman and Done were linking up well down the left. 

Some great play in midfield by Tutte, as he sent Jason Kennedy on his way, came to nothing, as despite evading Foster's tackle, he dragged his shot well wide. 

Etuhu continued to trouble the Dale full back, but his final ball was disappointing, as was his shot on the hour mark after cutting in onto his left foot. 

A cracking tackle from Perkins set the big Nigerian away once more down the right, and this time his delivery was spot on, only for Done's header to go horribly wrong and away from goal. 

Tarn were in complete control by now. 

A Done corner was headed just wide by Dagnall, and with 20 minutes remaining Keith Hill made his second substitution, swapping Etuhu with Tomasz Cywka. 

A cross-shot from Davies caused a goalmouth scramble, and after pressure from McNulty, Dagnall's shot was blocked just in front of the line. 
Dale countered quickly with Kennedy, but Perkins chased back 30 yards to make a perfectly timed sliding tackle. 

As we approached the 80 minute mark, Wiseman played a neat ball in to Davies, who cleverly allowed the ball to run through his own legs, as well as the defender's, before turning sharply to slot under the keeper for 2-1. 
It was good stuff from Davies, but the keeper really ought to have done better. 

Another run down the left from Grimes was halted by a timely intervention from that man Perkins once more, and at this point you couldn't see a way back for John Coleman's side. 

With about 5 minutes to go, Bobby Hassell replaced Stones who had earlier taken a knock. It was a cracking display from the youngster, capped off by that first goal for his hometown club. 

Then, came a moment of madness. 

Keeper Alnwick, had hold of the ball, before seemingly taking exception to Ray Putterill's presence, and 'headbutting' the Dale substitute. 
After consulting his assistant, referee Gary Sutton showed Ben the red card and pointed to the spot. 
I thought it was moronic of him at the time, and replays since have done nothing to change my mind. 

With all 3 subs used, up stepped Hassell, club legend, who added 'Goalkeeper' to his positional armoury.

Bobby Hassell - Goalkeeper

The first task at hand, was attempting to stop Kennedy from converting the penalty. But unfortunately he sent Bobby the wrong way, and it was 2-2, and extra time.... 

It took just 5 minutes of overtime though before 10 man Barnsley regained the lead. 

Perkins' inside pass to Cywka, whose through-ball for Dagnall was perfect, and the striker slotted calmly past the keeper with his left peg. 
It was the lads first goal for the club, and it did wonders for his confidence as he began to run Dale ragged. 

On the stroke of half time in extra time, great trickery from Cywka down the left saw his cut back deflected into the path of Dagnall, who crashed home a volley with the outside of his right boot. 

4-2, and game over, surely? 

'Daggers' strikes again

Not to be, as Dale forced a corner almost immediately, and Hassell ends up making a great diving save to his right. However, another cross is whipped in and Davies must have thought he was the keeper as he touched it away with his right hand - penalty, number two. 

Again, up stepped Kennedy, and again he sent Bobby the wrong way for 4-3. 

Into the second half of extra time and Rochdale threw the kitchen sink at us, although they created little, instead choosing to pump balls long, or shoot on sight - both had little success. 

The Reds though, were out on their feet by now, and with 8 minutes to go Hassell makes 'worldy' save number one. A snapshot on the turn, 10 yards out from Kennedy, is brilliantly stopped by the makeshift keeper, with Wiseman on hand to mop up and clear. A breathtaking save no matter the name of the keeper. 

McIntyre strikes one from the angle a minute or so later, only for Hassell to save with ease. Each touch for the Barnsley stalwart was greeted by huge cheers from the travelling Tarn faithful. 

With time running out, Dagnall is smacked in the face by Dale captain Cavanagh, which amazingly is missed by both referee and assistant, and the hosts break quickly as substitute Ian Craney forces Hassell to save well again down low. 

Seconds later, 'worldy' number two, as Craig Curran ghosts in unmarked, just 6 yards out, only for Hassell to pull off a superb reaction save point blank - even holding onto the ball for good measure. 

The final whistle 'finally' blew, and both sets of supporters had witnessed an extraordinary encounter. 


PLAYER RATINGS 

Ben Alnwick - Up until 'that' incident, Ben had done little wrong. He came and claimed crosses, and made a couple of good saves whilst Dale were in the ascendancy. His distribution too, was decent. 
However, his petulance on the stroke of full time overshadows anything else, and he'll have a month or so to reflect on it. 4. 

John Stones - I think I'm right in saying it was his first start for the club, and a dream full debut it turned out to be. Assured, composed on the ball, and looks good both defending, and going forward. 
The equalising goal was the icing on the cake. 9. 

Stephen Foster - Another below par performance from 'Fozzie' unfortunately. 
Dwelled on the ball all too often, and his habit for long balls reared it's ugly head again. 
Did however improve as the game wore on, and was never afraid to put his head in where it hurts. 5. 

Jimmy McNulty - The new captain wasn't much better than his partner in central defence, in the first 45 minutes. But he was much improved thereafter, and as well as making a few crucial interceptions, he was often involved further forward. A decent display. 7. 

Scott Wiseman - If the lad hadn't made his customary goal-costing error, I'd be tempted to give him a higher mark. 
Other than the mistake, I can't fault his contribution at all. He overlapped well, and linked up nicely with Done. Also gets a mention for some crucial defending late on, as well as being involved for Davies' goal. 7. 

David Perkins - He was struggling early on, to contain the lad Tutte, but from around the half hour mark, 'Perks' was magnificent. Tireless as ever, dictated the tempo, retained possession, and curtailed many a Rochdale attack. 
Without him, we'd have lost. 9. 

Jacob Mellis - I'm not sure the deeper role suited him or his talents, and at times he seemed loathe to get stuck in. However, his range of passing is still apparent, and despite being knackered, he put in a decent shift overall. 7. 

Kelvin Etuhu - Certainly has something about him, but I can see him being a rather frustrating player to watch. 
Has bags of pace, and decent skills, but his final ball/cross/shot was often lacking. 6. 

Jim O'Brien - Shame to see him now out for a couple of months, as he looked our only threat early on. Up until the injury, he was standard Jimbo. 7. 

Matty Done - Involved quite a lot, and his linking up with Wiseman was good to see. Has sheer pace, but often looks too 'one sided' I feel. 
He rarely gave the ball away though, and was a constant threat. 7. 

Craig Davies - For a striker to play effectively in this formation, it helps if you're able to hold the ball up. Unfortunately, Craig still struggles in that department. 
Can't be faulted for effort, however, and his ability shone through on occasion, none more so than for his well taken goal. 7. 

Chris Dagnall - Anonymous for much of normal time as far as being a goal threat goes. Works hard, but needs to spend more time worrying the opposition center halves. 
In extra time, that seemed to click with 'Daggers', and his well executed brace shows there may actually be a striker in there. Promising. 8. 

Tomasz Cywka - Made a great impact from the bench, and though he didn't get much joy down the right, he certainly did when he moved central. 
Great feet, good technician, and an eye for a pass. We may have another 'player' on our hands. 8. 

Bobby Hassell - What can you say about 'Sir' Bobby, that's not been said before? He's like a myth. 
He took the gloves before Keith Hill even knew what had occurred, and proceeded to give us an impression of Gordon Banks. 
If this display alone, doesn't get him the year extension required for a testimonial, then God only knows what will. Immense. Man of the Match. 10. 

"Welcome to the Goalkeepers union"

WHITEY'S FINAL THOUGHTS

 
What a fantastic game to start our 125th anniversary campaign! 

I don't normally care for this competition, and rarely attend the early rounds. But with it being fairly local, and the attraction of Rochdale, I'm blummin' glad I bothered. 

And, at only £15 in, I'll be amazed if I get better value for money this season. 

Of course, the result is all important, and hopefully we'll have a good run in the cups this year. 
The victory should help morale, and particularly for the likes of Dagnall and Stones. Confidence boosted, I would hope. 

Unfortunately, we've now lost a key player in O'Brien, but I still think we did well out wide without him. 
It's the goalkeeping issue that's more of a concern, with only Academy product Lukas Lidakevicius to call upon, unless Keith goes into the loan market. 
I'm hearing today that we're looking at Carlo Nash, and I'd be happy with that short-term. 

Carlo Nash

Marlon Harewood

Also on the transfer front, it appears that former loanee, Marlon Harewood has signed a 12 month deal at the club. 
Again, I'm happy with that. 
He may not be a spring chicken, but he has vast experience at this level, and his hold up play could be just what we need. 

We now look forward to Middlesbrough's visit on Saturday, where our focus turns to our bread and butter - the league campaign. 

Football is back, and back with a bang! 

Up The Tarn! 





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Thanks for reading. 

Me and 'Daggers' on Saturday