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We started with a stiff wind in our faces but had obviously been fired up by our previous displays against Dale this term and set about them with a purpose. Despite the visitors having the wind at their backs they didn't seem able to master the conditions and it was us who created the chances.
MacDonald was clean through but a heavy touch forced him wide and his opportunity was missed. Minutes later he was again through but once more couldn't control. He did though play in Anderson, whose persistence led to an opening for Craig. The winger dinked the ball goalwards but it hit the bar and possibly the post too. Anderson flung himself at the ball and as his header looped in the keeper grabbed it an just held it on the right side of the line. Our forward line was causing Dale all sorts of problems with its movement and manager Chris Beech rung the changes with a double substitution on 11 minutes, hauling off a centre-half and a centre-midfielder.
The one way traffic continued though. Again MacDonald ran free, this time down the left hand side. The keeper came out to meet him and cleaned him out on the touchline. The ref gave a free kick and the goalie was a little lucky to escape card free as he had no intention of allowing the diminutive forward to escape him with the ball. The dead ball was whipped in by Kay and Chris Lynch put a free header over the bar. Another break, this time by Fletcher, ended with a fierce shot by MacDonald being well held at the near post.
And then unthinkable. After half an hour of non-stop pressure the Dale keeper pumped a ball up field, it was allowed to bounce and the big striker fired home under challenge from Nik Kudiersky. One chance, one goal. The visitors looked like they might be able to do the triple over us in a season.
The simple goal conceded - a frustratingly regular occurrence this season - certainly angered us. We continued to press and Fletcher had a goal disallowed for offside. It was a tight decision, but probably fair. MacDonald was also booked by the ref for a late challenge on the halfway line as his frustration got the better of him. It could have got worse for us though as on the stroke of half time. Stef Ritchie pulled off a blinder of a reactionary save as the Dale right winger crept into the area and got on the end of a left wing cross.
As the 2nd half started it took only a matter of minutes for us to draw level. We had predicted at half time that the wind should help to pen our visitors into their own half. We had a half chance and then Dale broke. When we got the ball back we attacked down the left wing and Craig's looping cross was met by MacDonald, who nodded home from close range. Craig could have had one himself shortly after as a rasping shot from the left was tipped wide. The resulting corner was headed over unchallenged again by Lynch.
On the hour mark we finally got our rewards as Fletcher forced a poor clearance with his pressuring. Harvey collected the ball 40 yards out. He advanced, beating a man before looking up and unleashing a thunderbolt which gave the keeper no chance. It was a trademark strike from the combative midfielder.
Dale were rocking and Anderson fired in from long range, but could only find the inside of the post with the keeper beaten. Our opponents were on the ropes and we should have bulldozed them and continued to make chances. Craig, Lynch and Fletcher all came close, while Lynch was booked, presumably for persistent fouling.
Ritchie was a virtual spectator throughout but when called upon he went about his business in an efficient manner. A couple of snap shots went his way but he wasn't duly troubled.
With around five minutes remaining Fletcher got his reward for a tireless display as he was fed on the left corner of the box. A cute turn later he was free and he rolled the ball past the keeper and in off the post. MacDonald could have snatched a late one with a cheeky near post effort but it was shovelled wide and the ref called time soon after.
Team:- Stef Ritchie, Dean Stott, Thomas Bradley, Chris Lynch, Nik Kudiersky, Chris Anderson, Lewis Craig, Alex-Ray Harvey, Adam Kay, Wes Fletcher, Alex MacDonald.
Subs not used:- Dean MacDonald, James Craggs, Dil Chaggar, Matt Lomas, Dan Brown
