Curse pays out, Posh collect

Rochdale AFC 0 - 2 Peterborough United

Journey:

Following criticism from my wife about the 'journey' section of my last offering which mostly centred on a rant about Sudden roundabout's ongoing improvement - I will not mention the roundabout other than to say: harrumph!

However...

I will dwell briefly on the trip out for 'a few bits' that my wife lured me into. This trip took in Comet, Argos and an extended tour of the aisles of Tesco in search of capers (!). This 'quick' trip meant that having set off at just after 1pm I didn't get to Spotland until 15:10. That allowed for parking somewhere near Milnrow!

Food:

Due to my late arrival, this weeks installment of Pielander was put on hold. I settled for a coffee and hustled to my place at something approaching a run.

Weather:

It had snowed overnight and I was genuinely concerned that the game would be off. Due to the vagaries of the Spotland playing surface we have already lost three games this season to a frozen pitch (twice) and flooding (once). Imagine my delight, as I puffed and panted my way into the Sandy Lane End with semi-atomic coffee melting the skin off my fingers: to see a grand vista of green. It was good winter footballing weather. Slaty skies, no wind and cool. I should also mention that the flood lights didn't come on until ten minutes or so into the second half - it was still light! Summer is on the way.

Away Support:

About 250 travelling fans. I gather there had been a few more earlier in the afternoon but a combination of Yates's and Greater Manchester Constabulary had thinned their numbers out somewhat. Vocal from the beginning I could hear chants of 'United!' as I sprinted up to the ground - the Sandy retaliated with some humour at the expanse of Mr Fergusson's little boy's recent (alleged) misdemeanours.

I would like to pay particular tribute to the small section of the away support who were playing a rather complicated game of 'stand up bingo' with GM Police. Myself, Mr. Turner, Mr. Keane, Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Kilgour were riveted for a good five minutes - speculation was rife and a few small wagers were placed on just when exactly they would be ejected. Regretably the football diverted our attention from seeing the final result - shame...

Action:

As you may have read in the week the football league chose to bestow the league two manager of the month award on our leader an inspiration Mr. Hill. Furthermore, it did not go beyond my notice that Mr. Flitcroft went on record on the BBC Sport website to say that 'Rochdale are chasing the title'.

Oh the humanity... The curse was sealed. We were doomed before a ball was kicked. I am usually fairly uncharitable about our opposition - there are a number of poor quality teams in league two. Peterborough are not one of those teams.

Within a few moments of observing Peterborough in action it was clear to me that Dale were in a good deal of trouble. Physical - yes, pacy - definitely. Add this to quick, clever passing and some of the classiest defenders I have seen in league two - the Posh were an all around class act.

The first half was a testing encounter. Dale's defensive unit were stretched every which way but through the heroics of Stanton and Russell in particular honours remained even as the half time whistle blew. Dale hadn't offered much and but for the efforts of Jones and Le Fondre, 'not much' would have been nothing at all. Dale's new signing, Thorpe gave it his best shot but he looked seriously unfit - possibly a future guest star in Pielander - had no understanding with LeFondre and suffered from ball after ball fired in at his head (which the Posh centre halves gobbled-up every time). Considering he arrived last Thursday afternoon - it was a lot to ask of him to play in a game like this.

Things perked up briefly at half time when we thought the undouted theatre of 'Golden Gamble' was being supplemented by a marching band. Imagine our dissapointment when we realised that it was the Posh's warm-up routine.

The second half was a fairly predictable affair. Dale pluckily pressed forward and had a couple of good efforts but were soon pressed back and on 57 minutes Boyd delivered the inevitable in sensational style. A 25 yard screamer which evaded Russell's hands and the woodwork to slide into the top left apex. From here on Dale looked fairly bedraggled, offering very little of consequence. The introduction of Rundle and Muirhead didn't improve matters. It was no surprise when on 75 minutes that man Boyd played in Aaron McLean who cooly clipped the ball over a sprawling Russell.

Summary:

Peterborough are by a significant margin the best league two side I have seen all season. They would not look out of place in league one: which is I'm sure where they plan to be come September. Dale can take a lot from this game. Despite the score line the defence played well. Jones and Perkins bustled in midfield. LeFondre did not quit until the final whistle blew - and could have scored had luck been with him.

Promotions aren't built on beating the really good teams - like the Posh - they come from consistently racking up the points against the lesser lights. Bring on Barnet - and keep Thorpe away from the Wibutt's Chippy.

2/02/08