Not just for Christmas!

Rola Cola Sponsored English League Two

Rochdale AFC 4 - 1 Morecambe FC

Journey

It's a little after one.  I'm sat in the Ratcliffe Arms - waiting for Mr. Keane.  He's a bit late.  As I watched Spurs give the Hammer's a footballing lesson - something a bit odd is happening.

Firstly, The Ratcliffe was a bit fuller than normal - I was lucky to get a seat.  Secondly, I heard one phrase again and again - 'Hello [insert name] I haven't seen you for ages!'  Finally, many of the people trooping into the bar had a slightly bewildered look about them - like this was completely new territory for them.  Many of them also looked like they had been dragged head first through the club shop - pristine hats and scarves were heavily in evidence.

A few weeks ago I mused that a few more fans would be more than welcome - in fact I went as far as to say 'BE HERE NOW!'  OK - it has taken a few weeks - but, perhaps - just perhaps...

Mr. Keane duly arrived - with a selection of family members - none of whom I have seen at Spotland before.  In deference to himself - his campaign to fill the Sandy Lane is not  a new thing.  He has been doing his bit for just over ten years.  I was one of his earliest recruits - way back in 1999 - for which I am forever grateful.

Sadly, I didn't have long to chat with Mr. Keane's latest converts - the call of hospital radio meant I had to go.  Once inside - I was greeted by an extraordinary sight.  Walls of snow.  All around the touchline was a waist high wall of snow.  For the last two days - while most of us were eating, drinking and being merry - a small group of ground staff and volunteers had shovelled eight inches of frozen snow off the pitch covers.  Without them - there would have been no game today.

At a time when Spotland is throwing it's arms wide to new fans - it is easy to forget the old guard.  The kind of people who will spend two days, half frozen, shifting tonnes of snow to get the game on.  Forget them at your own risk.  

Food

While I sorted out milk and sugar for my coffee I listened to a steward talking to a fellow milk and sugarer.  I say talking.  Preaching would be more like it.  The steward had gone all John the Baptist.  As the poor chap politely attempted to escape, the steward launched into a ringing endorsement of the new Rochdale AFC - the facillities, the management, the players, the preparation.  This steward is clearly wasted.  Get him into the Wheatsheaf Centre on Saturday mornings - with a sandwich board.

Weather

Cold and dreary.

Away Support

300 maybe 400.  Not a bad turnout.  Morecambe have been on a roll recently - and there was the memory of that unlikely three all draw earlier in the season - maybe they sensed an upset on the cards.

As Mr. Culshaw and I rued the effects of a power cut at Fairfield Hospital - the studio was out of action: so no commentary, again - we had plenty of time to watch the crowd assemble.  And boy did it assemble.  All of those bewildered looking souls in the Ratcliffe contributed to a final gate of 4309.  The biggest of the season so far.

News

Radio silence.  There hasn't been an update of the Littleborough Yellows for quite a while now.  This is because due to heavy rain and then snow they haven't played for two months.  Hopefully the New Year will be kinder.

Unlikely Birthday.  I missed this one at the time - but 26th December was May Contain Football's second birthday.  It's amazing what a thorough soaking at Macc can do isn't it?

Action

Your team for today:

GK: Heaton

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

Mid: Thompson, Taylor, Kennedy(J), Atkinson

For: Dagnall, O'Grady

Bench: Taberner, Flynn, Toner, Jones, Rundle, Glover, Higginbotham

After a slightly shaky performance from Matt Flynn against Crewe, Rory McArdle stepped into the right full-back berth - his first start in Dale colours since Dagenham.  Other than that, as you were.  Today would also mark Tom Heaton's final game for Dale as his loan from Manchester United expires at the end of the month.  Aside of his debut against Chesterfield - he has been as solid as a rock.  Cheers Sir. Alex.

This will be the sixth meeting of Dale and the Eric's.  Only one of which has ended in a win - for Rochdale - the rest have all been draws.  The most frustrating of all of them being the game at Spotland last season.  This season has already seen Rochdale recover from a being 3-0 down at half time to force an unlikely 3-3 draw.  In short, Morecambe under Sammy McIlroy are a competitive outfit who are currently in good form - could yet another draw be on the cards? 

Despite being without key men Jevons, Mullin and Wainwright - Morecambe sought to press from the moment Mr. Salisbury put the whistle to his lips.  The Eric's hemmed Dale into their own area and bombarded Heaton with high balls and crosses.  Just as they had on Saturday, Dale struggled to clear their lines and Morecambe sensed that opportunity may be knocking.  Thankfully for Dale, Heaton was equal to the challenge - even when Drummond's low drive looked certain to have put Morecambe in the lead.

After ten minutes of unrelenting pressure, Dale found the best possible antidote.  They took the lead.  A long ball from Dawson, flicked on by O'Grady found Atkinson.  The on-loan Hull youngster charged for the byline before pulling the ball back across the face of goal.  A lucky deflection found O'Grady and the rest as they say is history.  1-0 Dale!

Morecambe were rocked - but attempted to find their way back into the game.  Unfortunately, Dale had other ideas.  Ten minutes later a crafty flick from O'Grady unleashed Dagnall into an ocean of space.  Rounding Barry Roche and slotting the ball into the vacant net was a job of seconds.  2-0 Dale!

Seconds later, it probably should have been 3-0 - but Dagnall's effort crashed back off the bar.  As the half wound down further efforts from Dagnall, O'Grady and Thompson threatened to put the matter beyond doubt - but in each case their efforts were just off target.  Morecambe had a chance to pull one back - having replaced Michael Twiss who was suffering from a gashed head, Aaron Taylor flashed the ball just wide with his first touch in the dying minutes.

During half time Mr. Culshaw managed to procure hot soup.  Best not to ask how.

Dale began the second period as they had ended the first.  Efforts from O'Grady, Dagnall and his replacement Higginbotham all produced good saves from Roche.  In the end it took twenty five minutes for Dale to put the game out of sight when an excellent Tom Kennedy cross picked out Atkinson in the Eric's box.  His glancing header left Roche with no chance.  3-0 Dale!

Morecambe had far from given up though and the visiting fans had something to cheer about when Wayne Curtis pulled off the unlikely feat of out-muscling Craig Dawson, before driving powerfully past Heaton.  3-1.

Far from rallying the visitors, the goal seemed to annoy Rochdale - why, the very impudence! - so they promptly went up to the other end and through a glancing contact from Atkinson, Jason Kennedy's cross found it's way past Roche's groping hand.  4-1 Dale!

Speak Your Brains

Your cast for today:  just me

After 71 minutes of dilligent bench polishing, Adam Rundle had a quick run out.  Big thanks to Rotherfield - he looks match fit and raring to go.

Morecambe must be wondering what the dickens happened today.  They weren't bad - although the absence of Jevons and Mullins left them a little short up front - Dale were simply better.  Morecambe are a good side and should be challenging for the play-off's come May.

Can someone explain Morecambe defender Andy Parrish's shorts?  They were pulled up so high I thought it was Simon Cowell for a while.

Dagnall back on the score sheet after a four game drought.  Welcome back.

Atkinson got man of the match - but I thought that O'Grady was the more potent threat throughout.  Scored one, made one and led the Morecambe defence a merry dance.  I would be willing to sell vital organs to keep him at Spotland.

For all of the first time or part time Daley's who came to Spotland today, a final thought:  Rochdale AFC is not just for Christmas - Rochdale AFC is for life (or at least 'till the end of the season).  Do come again.

... and finally, Happy New Year - to both of my readers.