With usual reporter Col away, Warren Brierely steps in to bring you his report of Dale's victory away at Scunthorpe United. Wins at Glanford Park do not come easy for Dale and should always be appreciated.
With usual reporter Col away, Warren Brierely steps in to bring you his report of Dale's victory away at Scunthorpe United. Wins at Glanford Park do not come easy for Dale and should always be appreciated.
A few months ago Rochdale went to Hartlepool and grabbed a winner within the last ten minutes, and the great escape echoed around the terraces. At Scunthorpe the great escape echoed again at the sight of an 83rd minute goal. The difference was this time the Dale fully deserved the three points as they outfought a Scunthorpe side, which was third in the division. Dale started with almost the same side that played against Hull. The only change was on loan signing Stoker replacing the suspended Mark Monington. Dale played five at the back but Lydiate played as a sweeper, pushing up into midfield at every opportunity. In the first half clear goal chances were at a premium as Dale sat back to soak up the Scunthorpe pressure.
The midfield was superb. Stoker looked the battler which are midfield has needed, as every Irons attack was halted, before it reached the Dale 18 yard box. Let's hope that Stoker is not a one match wonder, which Dale has had so many in the past.
Of the rare Dale chances the best fell to Peake, who had two shots which went well wide of the target. Holt also had a long-range effort comfortably saved by the keeper late in half. The best chance for Scunthorpe, was when there striker broke through the offside trap and raced onto goal. Andy Farrell raced across the pitch and made a glorious siding challenge to win the ball, and then play a 20 yard pass to Carden to set up a Dale attack.
At half time the Dale fans were pleased at the performance and were fully expecting that Dale would get a well deserved point. BUT as the second half progressed Dale went on the attack, taking the game to Scunthorpe. "The white Pele" Holt was again dangerous, he made a mazing run through about 18 Scunthorpe players (a bit of an exaggeration), and crossed the ball into the box. Stoker headed the ball down, in the scramble that ensued the ball broke to Peake on the edge of the box, his dipping left foot shot just cleared the bar. Scunthorpe had no answer as their attacks where broke down by the Dale midfield, or Edwards gathered the ball whenever they dared enter his area.
Sensing a dale win the 250 or so away fans tried to lift their team. A cross from Carden was gathered by the keeper as "Bruno" Morris was about to head in, and in another scramble, Lydiate played the ball across the goal line, the Irons keeper gathered just as Holt was to side foot in.
Sparrow replaced the injured Andy Barlow (or as the man on the tanoy said Robbie Painter), Robbie looked quite surprised and didn't know whether to leave the pitch or not. To save Painters confusion he was replaced five minutes later by Jones.
Then that glorious 83rd minute goal. Man of the Match, (and Jason Peake's Stunt double) Lydiate headed the ball down at the far post, the Irons fullback clear the ball to the edge of the box, but only to Bayliss. He steadied himself and drilled the ball low into the left hand corner. G.G.G.G.GGOALLLLL!
The remaining seven minutes was all Scunthorpe pressure, but to be honest I can't remember one serious Scunthorpe effort. The Dales were in raptures, "the Dale are going up" and "were going to Wembley twice" rang out.
This performance was unquestionable, Dale had a game plan, stuck to it and won. In recent weeks the team is beginning to gel and it is no coincidence it is since the new signings have arrived. Stoker and Lydiate must be purchased if a serious attempt on the playoffs is to me made, AND on this Dale performance, MAYBE, JUST MAYBE……
Dale Team: EDWARDS, CARDEN, BARLOW (SPARROW), STOKER, BAYLISS, LYDIATE, FARRELL, PAINTER (JONES), MORRIS, PEAKE, HOLT.