Rochdale AFC 2 - 3 Chesterfield FC
Journey
Men take no time at all to get ready. Ladies take much, much longer. These are known facts. What few people appreciate is that children have the knack of not being ready - just when you really need them to be ready. If you have children you may know the anguish of seeing your taxi to the airport arrive to discover that your child is no longer dressed in their smart holiday outfit - but is running around the kitchen wearing one sock, swimming trunks, a Batman cape and a tupperware bowl on their head.
Thus my journey begins.
In my continuing quest to seduce the innocent over to 'The Dale Side' I would be taking Mrs. Eden-Maughan and her associate Ms. Croney to the football this afternoon, along with her birthday boy son, Croney jnr, and her nephew Josh. I arrived at the appointed hour. I waited while presents were opened. I waited while trousers were changed. I waited while socks were put on. I waited while coats were put on. I waited while coats were discarded - and then put on again. I waited through the false start a lack of shoes created. I waited while shoes were put on. I waited while more presents were delivered and then opened. I waited while little actually seemed to be happening. And then, quite without warning, everyone was ready. I duly joined the queue of traffic which stretched all the way to the bottom of Roch Valley Way - and waited a bit more.
Weather
Pop upstairs. Put the shower on - set it to the coldest setting. Stand under the shower - no, don't bother getting undressed. Are you with me?
Food
I used to do something in this section - no, it's gone again - probably not important. Trousers continue to expand at an alarming rate.
Away Support
300-400. Maybe a few more. A feisty bunch who got into the 'Who Are Ya's!?!' before Referee Gibbs had even started the game. That said, the 2,700 or so home fans gave pretty much as good as they got. Today marked the biggest attendance of the season so far with 3011 souls in Spotland.
News
The heat is on. So, Josh Lillis in goal for Bournemouth, Kenny Arthur in goal for Luton away, Danny Taberner in goal for Luton at home... and for today! Highly fancied young keeper Tom Heaton made the trip round the M60 from Old Trafford to fill in between the sticks. Heaton will be on loan at Spotland till the end of December. Four keepers in four games - this may be some kind of Dale record.
Bo Selecta. Toner's road to recovery is proving to be a long one. Stanton sitting out game three of a four game ban following his shenanigins at Dean Court. Rundle and Thompson both ruled out after pulling up on Wednesday night. Buckley doubtful. The only bright spot being the return of Wiseman. Selection at Spotland these days is definitely not Bo.
Action
Your team for today:
GK: Heaton
Def: Wiseman, McArdle, Dawson, Kennedy(T)
Mid: Stevens, Jones, Kenndy(J)
For: Whaley, O'Grady, Dagnall
Bench: Taberner, Holness, Flynn, Manga, Spencer, Higginbotham, Buckley
I arrived in the press box to be greeted by a wild eyed Mr. Culshaw. 'It's 4-3-3!' - although from his tone it sounded more like, 'We're All Doomed!'. There is a good reason for this. Every time Dale start 4-3-3 it goes a bit, well - wobbly. History is littered with good (possibly bad) examples. Maybe it was tactical, maybe it was due to the shortage of healthy wide men. But 4-3-3 it was. On the upside, Buckley would make the bench. Mention should also be made of Dale hero's of yesteryear David Perkins and Tommy Lee returning to Spotland in Chesterfield colours today. Perkins for the first time since that amazing day in 2008. As they were introduced, the applause was both rich and genuine.
After real concern that Mr.Gibbs might call the game off after a day of torrential rain, smart work by the groundsmen ensured that despite the continuing wet and wild conditions the game kicked off as planned.
As now seems to be the tradition, Rochdale roared out of the blocks. O'Grady almost making good on a Wiseman cross in the opening minute. Whaley fired over. Dagnall forced a couple of good saves from Tommy Lee and a man bearing an uncanny resemblance to Rory Mc Ardle was observed executing a flying bicycle kick inside the Spireites area. Breathless stuff.
Therefore what happened on 25 minutes was a bit of a surprise.
Chesterfield had been very quite up to this point - it had been all Rochdale. However, a Perkins free kick from just outside the Dale area found the Dale defence far from ready and Breckin lurking at the back post. His nod down found perennial Rochdale tormentor Jack Lester - and from all of two yards, he wasn't to be denied. Heaton was rotted to the spot. Definitely not ready. 1-0 Chesterfield.
Dale had a decent chance to be back on level terms from the restart when Whalley had Lee beaten from long range - but his effort drifted just north of the bar. Minutes later Dale were in deeper trouble. Lee's goal kick was flicked on in midfield, Dawson wasn't ready for the extra zip the ball picked up off the wet surface and the extra yard saw Lester bearing down on goal. Heaton sold himself cheaply. Lester just doesn't miss a chance like that. 2-0 Chesterfield.
Dale looked on the verge of collapse. The lack of width Dale's 4-3-3 provided meant that the Spirite's full back's had licence to romp forward at will. The three man midfield was terrorised by Perkins and Allott. Chesterfield were shooting at will. It seemed like it could turn into a rout.
With five minutes to go Stevens made way for Buckley and trusty old 4-4-2 was reinstated. The ship was steadied and half time duly arrived without further harm being inflicted.
I popped down to visit with my clutch of apprentice Dale fans at half time. The reactions were mixed. Croney jnr. and his cousin were somewhat disappointed. Actually, they said it was 'rubbish'. Nothing wrong with their eyes then. On the other hand Ms. Croney had really enjoyed herself. She was a bit unclear on the score but had learned the names of all the players with good legs. Football is thankfully a broad church.
The second half put in an appearance. But not for Gary Jones. Dale's captain was withdrawn from the action - presumably due to injury - and replaced in central midfield by right full-back Matt Flynn. The replacement of recognised central midfielder, Dale Steven's, before half time in favour of Buckley looked like a dreadful mistake.
Seven minutes later, the introduction of Buckley looked like pure genius. Buckley had tested Lee within minutes of the restart and was giving the Spirite's full back, Mark Little, serious problems. Chesterfield were simply not ready for Buckley's onslaught. Dale piled on the pressure and got their reward on four minutes when a Buckley secured corner was whipped in by Tom Kennedy and parried into the path of Chris O'Grady. From just short of 18 yards he produced a swerving shot which Lee was helpless to stop. 2-1!
Three minutes later, more Buckley induced chaos, another corner, another Kennedy delivery but this time the head and possibly one or two other bits of Craig Dawson did the damage. 2-2!
And that - as they say - was your lot from the Will Buckley show. He carried on gamely trying to harass the Chesterfield back line - but his recent injuries and lack of training caught up with him ten minutes into the half. He just looked worn out.
As Buckley faded, Chesterfield probed forward again. A couple of speculative efforts followed and then just after the hour, Lester found himself in an indecent amount of space on the edge of the Dale area. He slid the ball square to the feet of David Perkins, who side footed an effort towards goal. The ball's erratic path - via two meaty deflections - left Tom Heaton completely powerless. 3-2 Chesterfield.
Dale applied themselves - Buckley, although exhausted, kept trying to work an opening. Whaley would have a couple of decent efforts - one blocked away and one saved. But Chesterfield were well set by now and content to let a jaded Rochdale side blown themselves out.
Speak Your Brains
Your cast for today: Myself, Mr. Keane, Keane jnr., Mr. Mitchell, Mrs. Eden-Maughan, Ms. Croney, Croney jnr. and Josh.
The curse of 4-3-3 strikes again - Mr. Hill, please stop doing this. It never works. Look at the history!
O'Grady's first goal at Spotland - believe it or not - and what a goal!
According to Ms. Croney the heart-throb's of Dale are as follows (in reverse order):
Keith Hill (very nicely dressed)
David Flitcroft (very manly)
Will Buckley (very pretty)
AND THE WINNER IS...
Tom Kennedy - (very pretty and has good legs)
Tom Heaton looked like a bloke who had turned up yesterday and didn't really know anyone. Pretty much bang on then. He gets the benefit of the doubt this week.
Dale could have gone top today - as it is they slip to third.
Now to the serious business. Next week - Dale vs. Daggers, El Classico Del Sur. The Littleborough Debating and Choral Society will once again venture into the wild and lawless Principality of Essex. Probably with hilarious consequences.
The second half put in an appearance. But not for Gary Jones. Dale's captain was withdrawn from the action - presumably due to injury - and replaced in central midfield by right full-back Matt Flynn. The replacement of recognised central midfielder, Dale Steven's, before half time in favour of Buckley looked like a dreadful mistake.
Seven minutes later, the introduction of Buckley looked like pure genius. Buckley had tested Lee within minutes of the restart and was giving the Spirite's full back, Mark Little, serious problems. Chesterfield were simply not ready for Buckley's onslaught. Dale piled on the pressure and got their reward on four minutes when a Buckley secured corner was whipped in by Tom Kennedy and parried into the path of Chris O'Grady. From just short of 18 yards he produced a swerving shot which Lee was helpless to stop. 2-1!
Three minutes later, more Buckley induced chaos, another corner, another Kennedy delivery but this time the head and possibly one or two other bits of Craig Dawson did the damage. 2-2!
And that - as they say - was your lot from the Will Buckley show. He carried on gamely trying to harass the Chesterfield back line - but his recent injuries and lack of training caught up with him ten minutes into the half. He just looked worn out.
As Buckley faded, Chesterfield probed forward again. A couple of speculative efforts followed and then just after the hour, Lester found himself in an indecent amount of space on the edge of the Dale area. He slid the ball square to the feet of David Perkins, who side footed an effort towards goal. The ball's erratic path - via two meaty deflections - left Tom Heaton completely powerless. 3-2 Chesterfield.
Dale applied themselves - Buckley, although exhausted, kept trying to work an opening. Whaley would have a couple of decent efforts - one blocked away and one saved. But Chesterfield were well set by now and content to let a jaded Rochdale side blown themselves out.
Speak Your Brains
Your cast for today: Myself, Mr. Keane, Keane jnr., Mr. Mitchell, Mrs. Eden-Maughan, Ms. Croney, Croney jnr. and Josh.
The curse of 4-3-3 strikes again - Mr. Hill, please stop doing this. It never works. Look at the history!
O'Grady's first goal at Spotland - believe it or not - and what a goal!
According to Ms. Croney the heart-throb's of Dale are as follows (in reverse order):
Keith Hill (very nicely dressed)
David Flitcroft (very manly)
Will Buckley (very pretty)
AND THE WINNER IS...
Tom Kennedy - (very pretty and has good legs)
Tom Heaton looked like a bloke who had turned up yesterday and didn't really know anyone. Pretty much bang on then. He gets the benefit of the doubt this week.
Dale could have gone top today - as it is they slip to third.
Now to the serious business. Next week - Dale vs. Daggers, El Classico Del Sur. The Littleborough Debating and Choral Society will once again venture into the wild and lawless Principality of Essex. Probably with hilarious consequences.
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