Dale kept up the winning streak with a 2-0 victory over Kidderminster Harriers at Spotland. Two goals from our defensive wall Gareth Griffiths ensured Dale stayed at the top of the league.
Once again today's performance was less than convincing. But once again Dale managed to get the win. Unlike last season when this kind of a game would of seen Dale struggle to break the opposition down, this time the goals came and so did the three points.
Dale reverted back to a 4-4-2 formation for the game, with Dave Flitcroft being the one left out so that Kevin Townson could start up front. Simon Coleman as expected was not in the team due to an injury, and in his place was Gareth Griffiths who turned out to be the star of the show.
Dale started like a house on fire. And within just 2 minutes the first goal had arrived. A corner by Tony Ford saw Gareth Griffiths arrive totally unmarked to plant a bullet header past the hapless Brock in the Harriers goal. Were we to be in for a Dale goalfest!?
Well the answer came pretty quickly and unfortunately it was 'no'. Dale seemed to take their foot of the pedal and let the opposition back into the game. Kidderminster were probably one of the better teams we have played this season so far. They played some neat passes and were unlucky maybe not to snatch a goal.
There wasn't really many chances of note in the game the better ones though fell to Dale. Kevin Townson missed a glorious chance to score following a lovely move which was in fact handled by a Kidderminster player, and should of resulted in a penalty. The loose ball fell to Townson but his shot was saved by the legs of Brock.
The second half once again saw Dale struggle to really play anywhere near as well as we know we are capable of. However Kidderminster didn't create any real chances of note, whereas Dale did manage a couple of decent efforts - one of which saw Keiron Durkan miss the target from only a few yards out when it looked easier to miss than to score!
A second goal wasn't far away though. Another corner from Ford, Griffiths again outleaped about 4 players to head home at the back post. Are we really going to miss Monington for the set pieces? It certainly doesn't look like we will.
Dale made use of all three substitutes in the second half. Townson was replaced by Paul Connor who also had a couple of chances but failed to finish. Flitcroft replaced Ford and Doughty replaced Durkan. In fact no sooner had Doughty come on that he had a chance to seal the game. Paul Connor slid the ball through the defence out wide for Flitcroft who whipped it across the middle. Doughty was through on goal but fired straight at Brocks legs.
It was by far from the best performance once again, but as long as we can keep playing like this and still winning does it really matter? We are still top of the league after all!