You get another Chaff match report though I've checked it and the English is miles better than Tommo's.  Who needs Col and Kel eh!?  Anyway, Dale came away from Hyde with a draw in their penultimate pre season game.  Report online now.

Dale's pre-season continued with a short trip through Ashton and into Hyde to take on the Blue Square North side at Ewen Fields.

There were two trialists in the squad for the game which became the talking point throughout. The first one is a Football Manager legend.  I realise I'm very sad in saying this but believe me, he is and therefore, I knew exactly where he was from when his name was given out along with his position.  He was Gavin Rothery from Dirty Leeds United.  He's an attacking midfielder who can also play on the right and that's where he started the game last night in the first half.  If he turns out to be as good as he is on the game then he'll be the best thing to come out of Leeds since Eric Cantona!

The second trialist was also playing for us at Northwich I'm told.  When Tommo told me that "some ginger lad" was playing at Northwich, I automatically assumed it was David Doherty from the Youth Team.  Upon hearing the lads surname at the start of the second half last night, I realised that was wrong and knew who it actually was straight away, also from Football Manager.  He's called Michael Barnes and is a left winger who was released by the Premiership Champions (10 times, count them Liverpool) and Champions of Europe, Manchester United this summer.  Dale fans who travelled to Saltergate last season to see us triumph over Chesterfield in a fantastic game may remember him as the ginger winger who ripped us apart for the first half.

Anyway, now that little introduction is out of the way, the first half team was Sam Russell, Simon Ramsden, Raphale Evans, Nathan Stanton, Rory McArdle, Gavin Rothery, Adam Rundle, Gary Jones, Kyle Lambert, Chris Dagnall and Jon shaw.

Dale played quite well in the first half and had it not been for some good goalkeeping from ex bucket Craig Dootson, we may well have gone in a few more goals up. 

Chris Dagnall set Dale on their way with a very good finish after a cracking turn to give himself space.  He also had a goal disallowed for offside having lobbed the keeper.

Dale's money signing of the summer Jon Shaw was having no such luck though.  He seems to be getting into some cracking positions and creating a fair few chances but has trouble sticking them in the net.  This was evident last night as he missed two sitters having hit them straight at Dootson from close range.

Even Rory McArdle was looking like he might bag but he saw two headers fly narrowly wide of the post having done well to reach them from set pieces.

With Dale seemingly in control and unlucky not to be three or four up, Hyde went and equalised.  A great ball was played through and with Ramsden claiming offside, their striker was left with a very simple finish.  Unfortunately, I didn't catch his name though.

Dale went back in front just before the break through FM legend Gavin Rothery.  Jon Shaw again had a good chance to score but hit his shot straight at the keeper who parried it out to Rothery who smashed it into the back of the net.

Half time was spent in the bar before we headed up the other end hoping for more goals for Dale.

Dale started the second half with Sam Russell, Scott Wiseman, Tom Kennedy, Lee Thorpe, Nathan D'Laryea, Kallum Higginbotham, Michael Barnes, Clark Keltie, Ciaran Toner, Adam Le Fondre and Will Buckley.

Hyde were back in the game not long after the restart after their striker scored a fantastic header past Russell who possible should have come for the cross but that would be nit-picking really.  That made it 2-2.

Dale were still looking the most likely to score and Buckley and Le Fondre both missed chances though it has to be said, both stood out for their effort and skill as has been the case for most of pre-season.

Clark Keltie smashed a couple of efforts over the bar with Higginbotham trying to do a Keltie impression by also hitting one narrowly over.

Hyde made it 3-2 half way through the second half when another ex bucket, Matthew Tipton ran unchallenged for about 30 yards before spotting Russell off his line and lobbing him from 25 yards to score a superb goal.

Dale weren't leaving the losers though and Adam Le Fondre equalised with time running out.  A lovely ball through split the defence and he side footed past Dootson. 

A quick mention to Dootson who has now become my third favourite goalkeeper behind Russell and Tony Roberts.  He was enjoying the banter with us all game and took a bit of stick and threw as much back so fair play to the fella.

Photo: Action Images

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