Rola-Cola Sponsored English League Two
Rochdale AFC 4 - 0 Shrewsbury Town FC
Journey
09:00 minus six degree's - or so the thermometer in my car said as I embarked on my Christmas shopping this morning. Snow and ice lay thick across God's Country. Driving was a bit chaotic - but nothing in comparison to being stuck in the Channel Tunnel all night as thousands of unfortunate folks were last night.
As well as causing delays on every kind of transport you can imagine and causing misery to travellers the length of the nation: there was the small matter of todays fixture lists.
The weather had gone through them like an icy rapier. By 10am the postponements ran into double figures. But way down at the bottom of the list on the BBC sports page were the following words:
Rochdale vs. Shrewsbury - pitch inspection.
Local neighbours Bury and Accrington's games had already been postponed - but there was still a faint hope that today's fixture at Spotland would be on. Hope took the form of Head Groundsman, Phil Collinson, his team and a little army of volunteers. While I was doing my bit to end the retail recession - they were shovelling and sweeping the pitch covers clear. With the snow swept away - the green acres of Spotland were revealed and today's referee, Mr. Shoebridge, declared it playable.
By early afternoon the Spotland fixture was the only game left in League Two - because of Phil, his groundstaff, fifty volunteers and a whole lot of sweeping. Respect.
With the hard graft long since done - I swept into the commentary area just after two o'clock. Media fop.
Weather
I don't really want to labour the point - but - there was snow. Lots. And more to come.
Food
Hot chocolate, mulled wine and mince pies - almost...
Away Support
Considering the weather, it wasn't a surprise that the good folk of Shropshire hadn't flocked to Spotland today - maybe 200 - probably less.
The decimated fixture list did turn up an unexpected bonus today though. A group of Barnet fans who had been en-route to Accrington redirected to Spotland when the Crown Ground was declared un-playable. 2956 folk would watch the game today. Taking the weather into account - not too bad.
News
Backe to basics? So after the mystery buyers, celebrity coaches, big name signings, embarrasing departures, and surprising re-sale - what could Notts County come up with next? Hans Backe resigns. More from Notts County-Enders-Street-Farm next time. Probably.
Happy Birthday. Mr. Keith Hill and Mr. David Flitcroft celebrate their third anniversary in charge of Rochdale AFC this week. Their present might be a bit delayed - until May-ish - with luck.
Action
Your team for today:
GK: Heaton
Def: Kennedy(T), Stanton, Dawson, Wiseman
Mid: Atkinson, Taylor, Kennedy(J), Thompson
For: Dagnall, O'Grady
Bench: Taberner, McArdle, Flynn, Toner, Jones, Glover, Higginbotham
No changes from the side which saw off Lincoln last week - Gary Jones although fit again fails to dislodged Jason Taylor from the Rochdale midfield and once again takes his spot on the bench.
Today see's an inconsistent Shewsbury side visit Spotland, led by sometime Dale player, manager and fan favourite Paul Simpson. Things have changed a bit for the Shrews since their last visit to Spotland - a play-off semi final win over 'That Famous Old Club', was swiftly followed by a play-off final defeat to Gillingham and the subsequent departure of Grant Holt to Norwich City. This season has seen the Shrews beat Rotherfield and hold Notts County-Enders-Street-Farm to a hard fought draw - but lose to Darlington and fail to find a way past Grimsby last weekend. Which team would turn up today was anyone's guess.
With Spotland wreathed in freezing fog, Mr. Shoebridge indicated the start of proceedings. The weather had obviously heard the whistle as well - because it began to snow.
In recent weeks I haven't reflected on exactly what it is like to watch Rochdale these days. Put it this way - trying to commentate on it is a nightmare. The ball fairly zips from man to man - there is barely time to draw breath as one-touch pass follows one touch pass. However, the pretty passing belies a deeper truth - this must be the fittest Rochdale side I have ever seen. The running on and off the ball is tireless and unremitting. I guess the passing becomes easy when there is always someone moving into a position to receive the ball. The critical ingredient isn't the nice passing or the tireless running though - it is the desire. Every man in a Rochdale shirt wants the ball - all the time. I have said it before - and I will say it again - this is just the best Dale side I have ever seen.
As the snow thickened Shrewsbury realised a deeply unpleasant truth. They were hoplesly outclassed.
After just eight minutes the gulf in quality told. A less than perfectly delivered corner from Tom Kennedy, was flicked on at the near post and found Craig Dawson. The young defender unleashed a finish that would not look out of place from an exotic and probably highly expensive striker. Sometime Dale loanee David Button in the Salop goal could do nothing to stop it . 1-0 Dale!
The snow was fairly tipping down by now. The biggest concern was that Mr. Shoebridge might call the game off. Heart's were in mouthes when he advanced toward the dugout's - but relief swept Spotland when it became clear he was only seeking to change the white ball for a yellow one.
Dale pushed for more, Dagnall lashing the ball accross the face of goal from inside the area - but it would take until minutes before half time for Dale to reinforce their lead.
On thirty eight minutes Dagnall romped down the Shrews left, cut inside an laid the ball into the path of O'Grady. O'Grady flicked the ball up and volleyed it from the edge of the area past Button's despairing dive . The finish was almost contemptuous. 2-0 Dale!
Just before the break the Shrews generated their first real effort on goal. From a short free-kick, Devitt lashed an effort just millimeters north of the bar.
Halftime arrived and I too realised an unpleasant truth. Due to the cold, I had lost all feeling in my legs. Desperate measures were required. With Mr. Culshaw doing the talking we parlayed our way into an executive box. This was a welcome first for me. It was warm and hot drinks were free and plentiful. Had we only arrived a few minutes earlier we could have been supping mulled wine and scarfing down mince pies. Still, I wasn't complaining - my legs had resumed normal service.
The snow continued unabated as Mr. Shoebridge indicated the restart. If anything Dale upped their game. Just eight minutes in Rochdale extended their lead. Another Tom Kennedy corner found Dawson loitering with intent. His header found Button unprotected and unprepared. 3-0 Dale!
On the seventy minutes the rout was complete. Tom Kennedy's free-kick squirmed through the wall - Button reacted well and punched clear - but only as far as O'Grady. The finish was emphatic. 4-0 Dale!
Having been little better than spectators throughout the game, in the last twenty minutes Shrewsbury produced their first efforts on target. Neither seriously troubled Heaton.
At somewhere around this point Mr. Culshaw got swept away with the excitement of the scoreline and the quality of Dale's performance and announced to the listening public that this was 'The Season'. He didn't actually say the 'P' word - but he was just about as close as you can get without uttering the word out loud.
As Mr. Shoebridge indicated full time and the PA requested volunteers to help put the pitch covers back on - I am guessing that a few Dale fans were thinking about thinking about whispering the 'P' word to a close family member. Possibly in a locked room.
Speak You Brains
Your cast for today: Me
Seven points clear now.
Shrewsbury aren't a bad side - but today they were made to look very, very ordinary. Dale simpy swept them aside.
I won't go as far as saying this is The Season - but this is the best Dale team I have seen - ever. What happens next is anyone's guess
O'Grady moves onto 11 for the season, Dawson moves onto 8.
Dale will sweep into 2010 top of League Two. Merry Christmas everyone.
With Spotland wreathed in freezing fog, Mr. Shoebridge indicated the start of proceedings. The weather had obviously heard the whistle as well - because it began to snow.
In recent weeks I haven't reflected on exactly what it is like to watch Rochdale these days. Put it this way - trying to commentate on it is a nightmare. The ball fairly zips from man to man - there is barely time to draw breath as one-touch pass follows one touch pass. However, the pretty passing belies a deeper truth - this must be the fittest Rochdale side I have ever seen. The running on and off the ball is tireless and unremitting. I guess the passing becomes easy when there is always someone moving into a position to receive the ball. The critical ingredient isn't the nice passing or the tireless running though - it is the desire. Every man in a Rochdale shirt wants the ball - all the time. I have said it before - and I will say it again - this is just the best Dale side I have ever seen.
As the snow thickened Shrewsbury realised a deeply unpleasant truth. They were hoplesly outclassed.
After just eight minutes the gulf in quality told. A less than perfectly delivered corner from Tom Kennedy, was flicked on at the near post and found Craig Dawson. The young defender unleashed a finish that would not look out of place from an exotic and probably highly expensive striker. Sometime Dale loanee David Button in the Salop goal could do nothing to stop it . 1-0 Dale!
The snow was fairly tipping down by now. The biggest concern was that Mr. Shoebridge might call the game off. Heart's were in mouthes when he advanced toward the dugout's - but relief swept Spotland when it became clear he was only seeking to change the white ball for a yellow one.
Dale pushed for more, Dagnall lashing the ball accross the face of goal from inside the area - but it would take until minutes before half time for Dale to reinforce their lead.
On thirty eight minutes Dagnall romped down the Shrews left, cut inside an laid the ball into the path of O'Grady. O'Grady flicked the ball up and volleyed it from the edge of the area past Button's despairing dive . The finish was almost contemptuous. 2-0 Dale!
Just before the break the Shrews generated their first real effort on goal. From a short free-kick, Devitt lashed an effort just millimeters north of the bar.
Halftime arrived and I too realised an unpleasant truth. Due to the cold, I had lost all feeling in my legs. Desperate measures were required. With Mr. Culshaw doing the talking we parlayed our way into an executive box. This was a welcome first for me. It was warm and hot drinks were free and plentiful. Had we only arrived a few minutes earlier we could have been supping mulled wine and scarfing down mince pies. Still, I wasn't complaining - my legs had resumed normal service.
The snow continued unabated as Mr. Shoebridge indicated the restart. If anything Dale upped their game. Just eight minutes in Rochdale extended their lead. Another Tom Kennedy corner found Dawson loitering with intent. His header found Button unprotected and unprepared. 3-0 Dale!
On the seventy minutes the rout was complete. Tom Kennedy's free-kick squirmed through the wall - Button reacted well and punched clear - but only as far as O'Grady. The finish was emphatic. 4-0 Dale!
Having been little better than spectators throughout the game, in the last twenty minutes Shrewsbury produced their first efforts on target. Neither seriously troubled Heaton.
At somewhere around this point Mr. Culshaw got swept away with the excitement of the scoreline and the quality of Dale's performance and announced to the listening public that this was 'The Season'. He didn't actually say the 'P' word - but he was just about as close as you can get without uttering the word out loud.
As Mr. Shoebridge indicated full time and the PA requested volunteers to help put the pitch covers back on - I am guessing that a few Dale fans were thinking about thinking about whispering the 'P' word to a close family member. Possibly in a locked room.
Speak You Brains
Your cast for today: Me
Seven points clear now.
Shrewsbury aren't a bad side - but today they were made to look very, very ordinary. Dale simpy swept them aside.
I won't go as far as saying this is The Season - but this is the best Dale team I have seen - ever. What happens next is anyone's guess
O'Grady moves onto 11 for the season, Dawson moves onto 8.
Dale will sweep into 2010 top of League Two. Merry Christmas everyone.
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