A late, late, late Tom Kennedy goal was enough to ensure that we scooped up all three points in a 2-1 victory against league two rivals Chesterfield.
If you’re one for believing in higher powers, then Saturday was your day. For
the second successive Saturday, our game had the latest goal in the country but
this time we were the beneficiaries as a Tom Kennedy late free kick .
The injustices of the lengthy injury time and subsequent equaliser at Rotherham
were cancelled out with what was reportedly a ninety seventh minute winner. Were
we adding up the extra time this week? Nope, I don’t think so either.
When the dust settled from the late, late winner, it wouldn't have been an
exaggeration to say that this had been our worst display of the season. That's
hardly putting the boot in as we'd been the better side in all previous games
this time, but whilst we’d walked away from previous games recalling how we
hadn’t got the result we deserved, this time we’d possibly had that break that
some have been saying has been all that has been missing.
We went with the same side that we took to Sheffield last week, with
Higginbotham replacing Thorpe on the bench. The visitors brought the return of
Alan Goodall to Spotland with them, prompting a decent reception for the former
Dale left back.
The first half was about as action packed as an episode of Heartbeat. Lots of
midfield play, but no chances, no talking points, no quality. That’s probably a
tad on the harsh side, but few were surprised at Spotland when both sides went
in at half time goalless.
We were the closest to breaking the deadlock, when Alfie and Rhodes both had
efforts following a Dale corner, but both attempts were blocked by the Spireites,
the second of which was without doubt the nearest we came.
Chesterfield did little to suggest they were capable of scoring during the first
half, and despite decent movement from Ward, they played like a side missing
their talisman who they have over relied upon. It was almost like they were
looking round for someone else to produce that little bit of magic rather than
taking that responsibility and doing it themselves.
Half time came, with the surprising lack of Tommy Lee to do the half time draw
which I think most people would have been expecting. We did have a new club
competition instead where if you hit the cross bar from the half way line seven
times on the trot you get a fiver off the new away shirt.
The visitors were the first out for the second half and they had also come out
with something of a spring in their step. Unusually when compared to recent
games, we didn’t come out and control the second half possession like we
normally tend to, and arguably Chesterfield had more of a grip on the game.
They were the closest to breaking the stalemate. Indeed, most of the away end
were off celebrating a goal following one chance where Sammy Russell had to earn
his corn with a save from Jamie Ward. A top class save without doubt when it
seemed for all the world like it was in.
And then came the breakthrough and the goal, and it brought with it plenty of
controversy. Not as to whether it should have been allowed or not, but whether
it was meant or not. It would appear that I was the only person at the game who
believed that Will Buckley actually meant it, but I reserve the right to change
my mind when I see a replay later.
Buckley had broke into the right hand side of the penalty area, and from a
tightish angle (think Van Basten territory) he unleashed a shot / cross (perhaps
not quite Van Basten style though) which gave the youngest person in the world
to be called Trevor no chance whatsoever, with the ball nestling nicely in the
back of the net.
There are some who still feel the need for a right winger for that side, but
with two goals, and two penalties won in his last four games from right wing, is
there really a need to do anything other than stick with oor Wullie on the
right?
However, the goal from Buckley didn’t bring about the change of fortune we’d
been hoping for. If anything it sparked the opposition into life. They didn’t
look like scoring but they had a number of half efforts and speculative chances.
It felt like we were just seeing out time, and there was little fear when the
referee awarded the visitors a free kick some thirty yards from the Dale goal.
Indeed, there was even less fear when the diminutive Ward decided to have a
crack as it had all the venom of a garden worm. But it was too much for Russell
to handle and he fumbled the ball into the back of the net.
It was clear the goal was still playing on the mind of Russell a few moments
after the goal, as he remained rooted to the line as panic ensued in the Dale
box, and there was a very real danger that Chesterfield could escape with the
win.
So the seconds were ticking away, it was left for one last throw of the dice,
and a clearance forward gave loanee Rhodes half a chance. It was a race between
him, a defender and the opposition keeper Carson. It was Rhodes who got their
first, propelling the ball into aerospace.
I don’t doubt for one moment that there was a collective silence in a Muirhead
stylee as we all waited for the ball to come down from orbit to see it if might
land in the back of the net. We were to be disappointed.
But in putting in that last gasp attempt, Rhodes was taken out by Carson, and
the referee rightfully brought it back for a free kick on the edge of the box.
Debate may rage in deepest darkest Derbyshire as to whether the free kick should
have been given or not, as they will view it that Rhodes got his shot in, but if
a player gets taken out after making a pass, the free kick is brought back, so
why should this be any different?
The four minutes on injury time had long since passed and with the free kick
about to be taken, striker Jamie Ward decided to jog back and help out by
running right in front of the wall. The referee had no option but to produce a
second yellow, and Ward was dismissed for what may have been the softest sending
off ever.
With Ward off the pitch, the threat of a Spireites breakaway was diminished and
another body was sent forward to help out, giving Carson something else to think
about. But there was only ever going to be one option, and TK stepped up and
produced a curling effort which nestled into the top right corner, and 85 games
into the Keith Hill reign as manager, we scored our first free kick.
The impromptu celebrations with the bench spoke as much about a collective
relief as it did about celebration, and whilst questions may have been asked in
certain quarters, the togetherness is still there, and this Dale family ensured
that Saturday evening would be one of enjoyment rather than reflection.
Three points in the bag and rather than discussions about what might have been,
it was all about what was. Who says we’re crap at set pieces anyway?