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Rochdale AFC 1 - 0 Aldershot Town FC

Journey

I was meant to go to Port Vale. It was all planned - and then - cricket happened. On balance I wish I had gone to Port Vale. The weather at Headingly was good, but the cricket was bobbins. In spite of seeing David Gower, Ian Botham, Bob Willis, David Lloyd, Mark Nicholas and Shane Warne (who was having a sneaky fag behind the commentary box) - the remorseless progress of the Australian batsmen followed by a limp, timorous response from England meant that my first visit to an Ashes test was a bit rubbish. I should have gone to Port Vale. I really should.

I nearly went to Sheffield Wednesday - but work meant that I couldn't - and all things considered it was probably a bit of a mercy that I didn't. So today would be my first game of the season. After last term where I went to every game - yes,I really did - I felt like a bit of a part timer.

As I strolled towards Wilbutts Lane in a thickening tide of Dale fans I met Mr. Keane and Keane jnr. making their way to the ground. Over a bag of chips outside the Wilbutts Chippy we discussed the prospects for the season and the likelihood that the new shirts might finally be available for sale. Mr. Keane's view on the season was that it would be tough - with slender prospects of repeating the heroics of the last two years . A shortage of cash has meant that signings for Dale have been as rare as sightings of Osama Bin Laden - this on the back of a very aggressive clear out at the end of last season. We have some exciting youngsters on the books - but as Alan Hansen said, 'You win nothing with kids' - hang on! he got that horribly wrong didn't he. Just maybe eh?...

On the subject of shirts, the controversial shift from sportswear leviathan, Nike, to the unloved Cabrini brand has back-fired horribly. In the second week of the season Cabrini have failed to deliver a single shirt of saleable quality e.g the purple and white away shirt becomes purple and lilac after one wash. In these circumstances Premier League clubs would probably be a bit red-faced and issue a meaningless apology to their fans - but for Rochdale the loss of such an important source of ackers is deeply troubling. Myself and Mr. Keane would have forked over £160 today - I am sure we weren't on our own. The lesson for Rochdale AFC seems to be - buy cheap, pay twice - or worse.

Having wandered past the club shop (population: two tumble weeds) and exchanged pleasantries with Rochdale's very own international man of mystery, Playboy Dan, I pressed on to the main entrance to collect my press pass.

With press pass in hand - whilst uttering dark oathes against Rochdale's press officer, Mr. Ashworth (it was amusingly addressed to Mr. Edam-Cheese - it's funny because it sounds slightly like my name - apparrently) - I slipped through the side door, onto the players tunnel, past the dressing rooms (I'm not saying our squad are on the young side this term - but our new right back was being burped in the corridor) and out into bright sunshine next to the lush green of the pitch.

It's good to be back. Let's start.

Weather

Heavy, grey billows shrouded Rochdale this morning - punctuated by longish spells of horizontal rain. However, as the clock edged towards 3pm the clouds parted and we were treated to warm sunshine - accompanied by a blustery wind. Good footballing weather.

Food

So, I'm back on match commentary duties again. Considering my performance last term I can only assume that there were no other candidates available to support Mr. Culshaw - however, I'm not complaining. I get a great seat, I get to waffle on about football and of course there is the half time press buffet...

Erm, well, about that. Presumably due to the lack of replica shirt sales, the half time buffet has been canned. Cabrini you have a lot to answer for - an awful lot.

Away Support

Limited - 200 tops. It's a long way from the deep south.

News

The end of last season saw the departure of James Spencer, Mark Jones, Sam Russell, Nathan D'Laryea, Scott Wiseman, Lee Thorpe and Tom Newey was returned to Grimsby - with luck we will get a credit note for defective merchandise. Higginbotham, McEvilly & Keltie were transfer listed.

McEvilly was subsequently released and after the surprising transfer of Ramsden to Bradford, Wiseman was re-signed. Happily Higginbotham remains on the books - disappointingly, so does the wage bill that is Clark Keltie.

...and then the big surprise. Jason Kennedy. In the midst of a deepening financial crisis at Darlo Mr. Hill swooped in and snagged one of the best centre mid players in the league. All Dale fans recall with mixed emotions those two goals he scored against us - surely a great addition to the team.

Mr. Hill also brought in Accrington Stanley's Kenny Arthur and Leeds United's Matt Edwards to cover the now vacant goal keeping berth.

After that little flurry of activity, nothing happened for weeks - amid rumours of a cash crisis at Dale. However, the £1m+ transfer of Dale old boy Rickie Lambert from Bristol Rovers to Southampton - invoking a substantial sell on clause for Dale - sparked hope that signings were on the way.

So it was something of a surprise when the next news was the departure of St. Adam of LeFondre to semi-annual bankruptcy dodgers, Rotherham. Down the years I have made no secret of my admiration for my fellow Stopfordian and it was desperately diappointing to see him go - but cash being king these days the move makes sense - and it resolves that rather irksome question of whether to play Dagnall or LeFondre once and for all.

Since then Dale have been busy in the transfer market. The arrival of ex-Everton striker Scott Spencer on non-contract terms along with the loan signings of defender Matt Flynn from Macclesfield and midfielder Dale Stevens from Oldham have bolstered a squad weakened by longish layoff's for McArdle (dislocated shoulder) and Toner (shin splints). But just days after Notts County shelled out a reported £750,000 on Kasper Schmeichel (not to mention footing the bill for Sven's instatiable appetite for 'company') you have to wonder if a free and a couple of loaners is anywhwere near enough.

Action

Your team for today:

GK: Arthur

Def: Flynn, Stanton, Dawson, Kennedy(T)

Mid: Thompson, Kennedy(J), Jones, Rundle

For: Dagnall, Buckley

Bench: Edwards, Wiseman, Holness, Stevens, Spencer, Shaw, Higginbotham

So after the disappointment of the opening day where the Valiants were gifted a penalty which earned them a share of the points and a fairly comprehensive drubbing at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday in the Additive Rich, Pop Trophy - Dale needed to make a point - or three. And no sooner had Mr. Gibbs indicated the start, Gary Jones hammered a shot just north of the bar - indicating Dale's intentions.

However, things quickly calmed down and the next fifteen minutes were pretty inconclusive as both sides sought to contain and break.

Then on the fifteen minute mark the incident of the first half unfolded. A Shot's counter attack released Marvin Morgan who was being marked by Stanton. Stanton looked favourite to win the ball - but some how allowed Morgan to get the wrong side of him - Morgan broke clear with only Arthur to beat - Stanton dropped him like a surplus mill chimney. Mr Gibbs had little choice or doubt - a straight red card. Stanton flounced off down the tunnel taking his frustration out on a helpless bag of spare football's.

Mr. Hill swiftly made changes - the luckless Rundle making way for Holness, who slotted in at centre half. Buckley switched to left midfield - leaving Dagnall to plough a loan furrow upfront.

Marvin Morgan had proved to be something of thorn in Dale's side both home and away last season - scoring in both encounters. The next twenty minutes of the half saw Morgan create an embarrasing level of chaos in the Dale rear-guard. However, as half time appoached and with the tie still level at 0-0, Messers. Holness and Dawson seemed to be getting the measure of the Aldershot target man. As Mr. Gibbs checked his watch Dagnall produced Dale's best effort of the half - which slid just wide of the back post.

Half time. Mr. Golden Gamble whipped the crowd into something approaching a frenzy - if polite indifference counts as a frenzy - and Mr. Culshaw and I reflected on what was to come: Aldershot would surely come out in the second half and seek to hammer Rochdale into the lush Spotland turf. A draw was really the best we could possibly hope for.

Mr. Hill, clearly had other ideas. In the manner of the metaphorical wounded animal - Dale attacked! Aldershot reeled back as Rochdale tore into their back line - forcing a goal-line clearance from a Buckley thunderbolt.

Aldershot looked deeply confused - this was not what was meant to happen at all. It took them twenty minutes to produce a serious effort on goal - which saw a great save from Arthur deny Kirk Hudson from 18 yards.

Substitutions followed - Wiseman for the rather excellent Matt Flynn on 68 and the Shot's Chalmers made way for Grant on 80. As the half drew towards a close it seemed that perhaps Dale might just sneak a point - Aldershot's forray's forward became fewer and less committed and the makeshift Dale rear-guard had Morgan well an truly under control.

As the board went up to indicate 3 minutes of added time - Mr. Culshaw indicated that I could do my shameless plug of this blog - probably as a sweetner for the total lack of buffet. I only managed about five words. Just as I started to speak, Chris Dagnall - who had had a thankless task against the Shot's centre halves, Blackburn and Hinshelwood, to this point - found some space and lashed an effort goalward. The ball crashed against Hinshelwood's arm - dead centre of the penalty area - Mr. Gibbs looked, Mr. Gibbs blew, Mr. Gibbs pointed. Penalty.

Kennedy(T) stepped forward and as 94 minutes clicked over, smashed the ball past Jaimez-Ruiz. 1-0 Dale!

Seconds later Mr. Gibbs blew the final whistle. What a start to my season. What a start!

In the Ratcliffe

In years gone by, this area of the report was turned over to Mr. Turner crazy antics. However, due to his inconsistent appearances I ended up making up all kinds of stuff to cover for him - although I don't think many people noticed - even when I said he had won a Brit Award, run for US Vice President and played for AC Milan.

This season we ring the changes and introduce a new section, 'In the Ratcliffe'. This will summarise the views of which ever wise monkey's drift into the back bar of the Ratcliffe Arm's after the game - and speak their brains.

This weeks cast are: myself, Mr. Mitchell, Mr. Keane and Keane jnr.

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  The new home kit looks well - shame you can't buy one.
  
  
  
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  It was no more a penalty than the one last week - but that's karma I guess.
  
  
  
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  Stanton deserved to go - he had an armful of Morgan's shirt.
  
  
  
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  In spite of the message board chatter slamming the signing of Matt Flynn from Macc - 'Macc Reject' was the general theme - he turned in a solid if unspectacular performance.
  
  
  
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  Dawson was awesome (poetry?) - who knew a centre half could consistently pick out a man from 40 yards? - like a young Rio Ferdinand according to Mr. Keane.
  
  
  
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  Thompson has bulked up and discovered the ability to go forward over the summer - which can only be good things.
  
  
  
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  Jones was observed out-pacing people - training with all these wain's obviously has some advantages.
  
  
  
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  Dagnall ran, and ran, and ran - in spite of close attention (in some countries it would count as assault) from the Shot's centre backs - he never gave up and in the end carved out the opportunity for Dale's winner. A gritty performance.
  
  
  
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  We would have gone on - but on the big screen Denilson produced one of the prettiest goals I have ever seen for Arsenal against Everton - after which we all became slightly distracted and moved onto Arsenal's prospects this season.
  
  
  

Stand by for more semi-informed opinion in the coming weeks.