|
We started brightly and Lazaar had a trio of chances. Firstly he cut inside and forced a good save as the keeper reacted well to tip over. Then he saw a shot blocked following good work from Wilson and Steven Hewitt and finally fired just over after a dribble into the box by Shay McCartan. In between the hosts had a chance when got in down the left and forced a saved from Josh Cook.
After 20 minutes our work paid off. Curtis Woods went in hard on the left back high up the pitch and came away with the ball. He looked up and swung over a cross to the far post where a grateful Tommy Taylor was on hand to slide it home.
We then had more opportunities as Neil Yadolahi had a chance to extend the lead. A free kick on the right wing was beautifully delivered into the box and Yadolahi rose but just couldn't get the miniscule touch that would have see it creep inside the post. Dale made a mess of the clearance though and the ball found him on the edge of the box but his snap shot flashed wide.
Minutes before half time Dale equalised. A little hesitancy in defence presented them with a chance and they capitalised, firing in low to the right of Cook. It was disappointing as we deserved more than a 1-0 half time lead, but 1-1 is what we had to settle for.
The 2nd half presented the first real chances to us. Taylor ran clear of the defence and when one-on-one with the keeper needed more composure, but he hit his shot high and the goalie parried it away. Minutes later it was Wilson that ran through, but his covering defenders at least kept pace, stopping him from settling on the ball and allowing the keeper to save at his feet. Lazaar than fashioned an opening on his own and hit the post with a delicious curling shot and as the rebound was pumped back into the mixer Wilson glanced a header just wide.
Rochdale didn't crumble under the pressure though and continued to push us. Forcing a corner on the right, they swung over the cross and a centre half headed home. They celebrated but the ref cut them off, disallowing for an apparent foul on the keeper. Back at the other end we had a penalty appeal turned down as McCartan was hauled to the floor.
We then decided to make some changes as Edwards came on for Lazaar. The reshuffle saw him go to left back, Williams go to right back, Woods move to the right wing and McCartan push up front. It almost had the desired effect as Woods burst up the wing but his cross flew straight into the hands of the keeper when a low option may have proved more fruitful.
Dale attacked once more and were beginning to go into the ascendancy. Firstly they shot just over, and then they hit the bar with a delightful chip. We brought Archie Love on for Taylor after he picked up a slight knock in a late challenge, but as time drifted away the hosts secured all three points. In truth it was a goal worthy of winning any game as their tricky right winger found himself in field and lined up a shot from 30 yards. It flew right into the postage stamp in the top corner, giving Cook no hope of saving it.
With no games currently scheduled for the remainder of the month, hopefully it will give us a chance to get some of the 8 missing players back into the fold. In fact, I'm off to ring the lads in the Fosters beach hut to ask why international clearance from Oz takes so long.
Teams:- Josh Cook, Curtis Woods, Ed Williams, Alex Coleman, Neil Yadolahi, Steven Hewitt, Dave Lynch, Medhi Lazaar (Steve Edwards), Shay McCartan, Tommy Taylor (Archie Love), Ross Wilson.
Subs not used:- Alex Mullin, Jakovich (Schoolboy keeper)