Windows and doors

Chester City FC 0 - 2 Rochdale AFC

Journey:

Have you ever driven past Stanlow Oil Terminal at night? If you have, you know what I am talking about. If you haven't, give it a try.

Having grown up on a diet of Dr. Who, Space 1999 and Blake's 7 - you've got to admire Stanlow. The hard pressed special effects guys in those days would have looked at it - then looked at the pile of toilet roll tubes, christmas tree lights and lolly pop sticks they had to work with - and wept. Stanlow looks like it has been beamed from the distant future, straight into the heart of rural Cheshire.

By now I expect that you have worked out that I am in the car, on my own again, and very bored. It is really worth seeing though - straight down the M56 - take a flask and some sandwiches.

I have reflected in earlier installments that planning in it's strictest sense has not played a major roll in the 101 Project. I know where I need to be, when I need to be there and how long it will take. The rest is largely down to fate - oh - and the whim of Jane.

Tonight I had planned to be joining Mr. Culshaw on Roch Valley Radio. Unfortunately, complications with paperwork meant that I could not join the match commentary team this time - in spite of a late appeal from Mr. Culshaw. But as they say - as one door closes, another one opens. I made my way into the away end to be greeted by Rochdale's premier purveyor of refrigerated desert solutions, Mr. McCabe, and the stylish enigma that is, the Playboy.

Some of you may recall a similar meeting in October down at Meadow Lane. You may also recall that Mr. McCabe made some harsh remarks concerning my gloves - to the effect that they were somewhat lady like (they are black and white and say 'DALE' on the back). For the record, can we take just a moment to reflect on Mr. McCabe's tribute to the glove makers art this evening:

Snowflake's. Wollen gloves with a snowflake pattern on them. Nice...

Mr. McCabe informed me that everyone in Belgium is wearing them this season. I'm not sure I really need to make any further comment on that.

Weather:

This big news this week was the snow. Well, the big news was that it snowed in London. Half a dozen flakes and our nation's capital city pretty well ceased to function. Still it gave the London based news media something to talk about - and boy did they go on about it! My heart genuinely bled for the citizen's of our capital as I was brushing six inches of snow off the medium sized Audi, before sliding uncontrollably sideways down my street. I really don't know I'm born do I?

There was however one huge upside to to London's frigid plight. The bad weather delayed the arrival at Ashton Gate of the evidence for the appeal against Nathan Stanton's sending off on Saturday. The FA were duly obliged to defer judgement until the evidence arrived - meaning that Stanton would be available to play in tonight's game.

There was still some snow on the ground outside the stadium - but the pitch had been thoroughly cleared - creating big drifts all around the touchline. I have mentioned several times this season that it has been cold. Notts County and Gillingham being particularly vivid memories. They were nothing in camparison to tonight. By half time I couldn't feel anything below my knees.

However, In spite of the plummeting temperatures I did notice that the the Special Operations Unit of the 'Sandy Lane Noisy Boys' were wearing shorts and T-shirts. As the game unfolded they went a rather patriotic Rochdale blue.

Food:

A new experience to add to my gastonomic tour of Britain. Various pies.

As I stood in the pie queue I noticed on the menu that they stocked 'Various Pies'. Available for £2.20. When my turn came, I just couldn't resist... I asked for a various pie.

Had I not already been frozen, the look the young lady behind the counter gave me would have done the trick.

Ground:

The Deva is a funny place to get to. Most grounds tend to be in residential areas - the Deva is at the back of an industrial estate, miles from the city centre, accessed through a huge retail park. Apart from the novelty value of not actually being in England - only the front gate is in England, the ground is in Wales - it seems to have taken it's style cues from the surrounding retail/industrial buildings. Modern, neat - but basically soul-less. Perhaps it will improve with age.

Including the Noisy Boys, somewhere close to 600 Dale fans had made the journey south. Surprisingly, this almost made the Rochdale fans the majority as only 700 or so of the citzens of Chester had chosen to brave the elements.

Action:

The window. It is that time of year again. Interestingly this year saw something of a break with Dale tradition. Under normal circumstances Rochdale sell their best player and then make a number of rather hurried cheapo signings. Not this year.

The only news was the extension of Fielding's loan until the end of the season and Thorpe and Kennedy signing contract extensions. That, as they say is that. The window is now closed.

All rather positive. Without the usual disruption the window causes - Rochdale should be knocking on the door of League One come May.

So to tonight. Chester have not had a good season. The 6-1 demolition at Spotland last year was but one blemish on a pretty wretched campaign for the Blue's. The previous week had included two defeats including a disappointing reverse to lowly Port Vale which saw two Chester players sent off. Set against this backdrop, the decision to move on six players during the window without bringing any in seemed slightly reckless.

Have you ever tried to get a sofa through a doorway? You know how it goes. Twist it, turn it, stand it up, lay it down, take the cushions off, take the castors off - and then someone will utter the immortal words 'well it went in this way before'.

This was Rochdale's challenge in the first half. They knew what they were trying to do, they had done it before, but nothing they tried seemed to work. The Chester defence was organised and disciplined - snuffing out every Dale attack with alarming ease. Most concerningly Chester were beginning to generate opportunities of their own.

The Blues Paul Rutherford was proving to be a genuine handful, looking dangerous everytime he picked up the ball. In the closing minutes of the half Chester generated two excellent chances to take the lead - one hitting the bar the other just inches wide of the post.

As Mr. Taylor of Manchester signalled the interval, 0-0 it remained and our metaphorical sofa remained obstinately wedged in the doorway.

Ok, so the Deva is not one of my favourite stadiums. However, it does have one feature no other ground I have visited this year has. At half time they open the back doors of the stand and let people out so they can smoke in the car park. You get a special ticket and everything. Very civilised.

Having discussed gentlemens fashion's with Mr. McCabe and the Playboy at some length and responded to Mr. Keane's traditional stream of text messages I made my way back to my seat and prepared for another 45 minutes of laboured furniture removal.

There is a school of thought that a complicated problem (like our metaphorical sofa) should be approached with patience and perseverence. On the other hand, you could just get a really big hammer...

On 55 minutes McEvilly replaced Dagnall as Dale prepared to take a freekick 30 yards from the Chester goal. The ball was duly driven into the area and Dale's hammer went to work. The previously organised Blues defenders simply could not deal with McEvilly's physical presence - he crashed around the Chester area scattering defenders in his wake and somehow kept control of the ball. A neat lay off to Thompson who was lurking just outside the six yard area, a powerful low shot at goal. 1-0 Dale! The hammer had done it's work.

10 minutes later and a Rochdale corner would provide McEvilly with another opportunity to create merry chaos in the Chester area. A shinned shot did the rest. 2-0!

At this stage the rather slender Blues support began to depart. By most definitions, the game was over. Rochdale went on to create further chances including McEvilly hitting the bar late on. Chester had an opportunity to claw one back through a close range header from Ellison - but Fielding produced an excellent save to deny him.

Summary:

Another three points. Three wins from three. A clean sheet. Fourth in the table, one point behind Bury - with a game in hand.

Not a great spectacle, but a great result.

The window may be closed, but the door is well and truly open...

Turner Watch:

Is getting very excited about the BAFTA's - this could be his year. It really could.

3/02/09