Your Boys Took One Hell Of A Beating!

Rochdale AFC 2 - 0 Luton Town FC

Journey:

I usually start with some reference to the fact today's pre-match routine was disrupted because of - insert random event. Usually with (mildly) hilarious consequences.

As this season has unfolded I have come to realise that I don't actually have a 'routine' at all. Things happen. I do my best to keep pace. Usually with (mildly) hilarious consequences.

However, today was planned - well more planned than normal. Today marks the first visit of Mr. Aasan to Spotland.

Coming to Spotland for the first time is not that unusual - I did it in 1999 - Dale got thumped 3-0 by Swansea City. Other people do it all the time - often never to return. Considering these facts, it is unusual that Mr. Aasan came all the way from Oslo, Norway to do it.

For better or worse I would be his guide for the day. Things did not start well...

In retrospect taking part in the Littleborough Debating and Choral Society's semi-annual pilgrimage to Rochdale Transport Club to take in the delights of the 'Rolling Clones' was a mistake. It certainly felt that way this morning - when I find the little trickster who emptied an ashtray into my mouth after hitting me about the head with a meat tenderiser - I will be certain to pass on my compliments.

My reluctance to leave the relative safety of my bed meant that Mr. Aasan was almost stranded at Rochdale train station. Being the resourceful kind he had decided that a taxi may be a better option than waiting for a bloke he had never met in person - who was by now fifteen minutes late. However, in the spirit of the Seventh Cavalry - I arrived just in the nick of time - just as he got into said taxi. On reflection I suspect he didn't quite see me as the cavalry. Having my hungover fizog peering in at you through the window of a taxi, mouthing 'are you Joachim?' is something few would chose to experience - however close the Native American war party may be.

Luggage was duly decanted, apologies were made to an incredulous cabby and we were on our way. Five minutes later we arrived at Mr. Aasan's dig's. Luggage was once again decanted. Pleasantries were exchanged. I departed with an assurance that I would be back in an hour to take him to the game.

Hangover removal. There is an art. Ibuprofen (two) and Diet Coke (1 litre) from the garage followed by Big Mac, large fries, cheeseburger and more Diet Coke (1 litre). I returned to Mr. Aasan's dig's a man transformed.

After a brief drive around Rochdale's historic centre - well, mainly just the town hall - we pressed on towards Spotland. Having parked up we walked the remaining distance to the ground. As we crested the hill at the end of Wilbutts Lane and the floodlights came into view I heard a short intake of breath from Mr. Aasan and a single word - 'Spotland'. It gets me like that as well - even now.

A trip into the club shop where Mr. Aasan made a significant contribution to the gross local product of the Borough and then on to the Studd's bar and my first proper chance to talk to my guest.

Whilst he made it clear that Rochdale is by no means the only English team he follows - he had spent Friday night watching Grimsby vs. Bournemouth - his knowledge of all things Dale was little short of encyclopaedic. Players, managers and league positions down the years - quite breathtaking for a chap who was making his first trip to see Rochdale. However, I was able to fill in some blanks concerning the Barrow era, the Simpson season and the Buckley - month. Blanks indeed.

Presently Mr. Keane arrived with Keane jnr. - hot-foot from the mighty Yellow's nine goal thriller with Clarence Juniors - which I am pleased to report went to the Yellow's, five goals to four. Soon after Playboy Dan arrived accompanied by his to this point unsung side-kick - Amancalledshaun. Tales of Dale old and new were traded with our guest - and unlike the people we have been boring them with for years - he actually seemed to enjoy them.

It seemed sad to break up all this international bonhomie - but there was the small matter of the game. In the company of myself, Mr. Keane and Keane jnr. - Mr. Aasan walked the final yards to the holiest of holies. The Sandy Lane End.

Weather:

Mr. Aasan said it was cold. I bow to his greater experience.

Food:

Considering my earlier intake of McDonalds - if I said I had pie, you would be thinking - pig, right?

Oink.

Away Support:

A lot of our pre-match discussion had centred on just how many citzens of Berkshire would make the trip north. Surprisingly many. Over 300 by my guess. More than our local neighbours Macclesfield brought last week at any rate.

The Football Association had dealt out a terrible though deserved punishment to the Hatters in the summer. In truth, a thirty point deduction is little better than a death sentence for a club which has seen the heady heights of top flight football and a League Cup Final victory.

The gravity of the clubs situation did not dim the passion of those who had made the trip. They sang and cheered like they were posessed. With fans like these - perhaps they deserve to survive.

Action:

I stand by my decision on cup games - although as a result I missed one of the most unlikely, although I am told, thoroughly deserved come-back victories in the history of Rochdale AFC during the week. Stupid principles.

However, the performance in midweek did present Mr. Hill with a couple of challenges. Could he ignore St. Adam's hat trick or Keltie's sure footedness in midfield? Apparrently not. LeFondre would replace Dagnall up-front and Keltie would replace Toner in the middle.

92 seconds.

That is all that was required.

A barn storming Dale start delivered a freekick inside the Hatters half - taken quickly, the ever improving Wiseman picked up the ball and drilled an incisive cross into the Luton box where a stooping Thorpe gratefully accepted the gift. 1-0 Dale.

Mr. Keane observed that Fabio Capello should have been in the crowd as Thorpe went on to rip holes in the shell-shocked Luton ranks. For ten minutes the Thorpedo created havoc - almost doubling his tally but for some frenzied Hatters defending.

...and then the tide began to turn.

A combination of tidy passing, muscular defensive play and baffling decisions from Mr. Bratt saw Luton edge their way back into the game. That said, for all the possession they enjoyed - Luton failed to produce a serious effort on goal. The Hatter's classy hitman Kevin Gallen was deprived of even a sniff of the action by determined Rochdale defending.

As half time was indicated it remained 1-0 to Dale.

Mr. Turner had indicated he would be absent today due to commitments in the egg-chasing arena - so we had hoped for the presence of Mr. Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell had carved something of niche for himself last week when he observed that Thompson's effort against Macc would have been a great goal - had it gone in.

I had hoped to freshen things up this week with a new feature titled - 'Mr. Mitchell's World Of Random' but regretably he was on child minding duties today - Mrs. Mitchell was sent as a replacement but unfortunately her command of off-the-cuff weirdness barely compares. So Turner Watch endures for another week.

The second half began more cautiously. Rochdale's habit of conceding straight after the break was clearly preying on the team's collective minds. However, the perceived danger was seen off and Dale began to dominate procedings.

Worryingly, minutes into the half Jones went to ground following a 50-50 challenge near the edge of the Hatters area. He managed to regain his feet - but moments later indicated that he needed to go off. Toner replaced him.

At this point it is worth reflecting on Luton's centre half, Ian Roper. In truth he wouldn't have looked out of place wherever Mr. Turner was watching men bother the egg shaped ball - but for today at least he had elected to ply his craft in the Association variation of the game. That said - at times it was a little unclear precisely which code he was playing. His marking of St. Adam throughout the game had been to put it very mildly - purposeful.

It wasn't any great surprise when around the hour mark he hauled McArdle to the ground whilst defending a corner. Mr. Bratt had little choice but to indicate the penalty spot. St. Adam delivered another faultless spot kick. 2-0 Dale.

In truth there is little to report from here. Luton attempted a rally but produced only one effort of consequence around the 80 minute mark - which was ably dealt with by Russell. 2-0 Dale. A complete and highly professional performance.

Summary:

Well - I wish this had been my first visit to Spotland. An almost clinical performance from Rochdale saw off a decent Luton side who could have and probably should have done better today.

Thorpe continues to confound his critics, Wiseman has thoroughly settled into the side and is beginning to deliver some excellent performances and I was also pleased to see Keltie disprove my theory that he and Jones cannot play in the same line-up.

The only downside today was the injury to Jones. Can I suggest right now that we get the Observer to start a campaign to 'Pray for Jonah's Knee' - afterall it seemed to work for Beckham.

A great performance, a clean sheet and 3rd place - I should get Mr. Aasan over here more often.

Turner Watch:

As discussed - egg bothering.

22/11/08