Rich Man/Poor Man

Rola Cola Sponsored English League Two

Rochdale AFC 2 - 1 Notts County FC

Journey

It's funny how the the fixture calendar works out.  Last year the Notts County home fixture followed on from the Dagenham away game as well.  Curiously also on a Tuesday night. 

There the similarities end.  Last season Dale went into the Notts County game off the back of an unlikely defeat - this time they go into the game on the back of a very unlikely win.  Last year Notts County were bumping along in the lower reaches of League Two - this year, flushed with cash from a publicity shy consortium of investors, the Magpie's have assembled League Two's answer to El Galacticos.  At the Meadow Lane helm is sometime British tabloid darling and fan of la dolce vita, Sven Goran Eriksson - and since Ian McParland was bundled to the exit, Sven's long time pal Hans Backe has been installed to do his masters sinister bidding.

Having proved to be a decent source of precious points in recent seasons, the Magpies had become a very different prospect this term.  Bouyed by a seemingly bottomless wallet, County are the league's top scorers.

Having made the tortuously slow trudge from Manchester in a torrential rain storm I finally arrived at Spotland with just minutes to spare.

Weather 

It has been a bit rainy up north recently.   Much of Cumbria is suffering the terrible effects of violent flooding and Carlisle's ground is under water.  Probably due to being perched on the Pennine's Rochdale has avoided being submerged - but it has seen it's fair share of the rain.  The Spotland ground staff once again worked wonders to ensure the game would go ahead - but the rain barely let up throughout the game.  Under the floodlights, supported by a swirling gale - it looked like someone was running a smoke machine.

Food

None - I was too busy gawping at Sven - he's looking a little pasty these days.  From the press box I could also see that there was a goodly selection of scouts out tonight.  Spurs and Blackburn had men there as did Hull - I was shoulder charged out of the way by Hull Manager Phil Brown whilst trying to pick up my press pass.  Incidentally, Phil Brown is the orangest thing I have seen since Tango stopped their award winning advertising campaign.

Away Support

Where were you when you were poor?  300 or so.

News 

Over and out?  The reason for Adam Rundle's absence at the weekend became clear yesterday.  He took advantage of the shuttle service to the Don Valley Stadium, he's out on loan for a month.

Action

Your team for tonight:

GK: Heaton

Def: Flynn, Stanton, Dawson, Wiseman

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

For: Dagnall, O'Grady

Bench: Taberner, McArdle, Toner, Brown, Spencer, Higginbotham

Holness had picked up a knock at the weekend meaning Stanton would return to the starting eleven after his four game ban.  Having collected his fifth yellow card of the season on Saturday, Tom Kennedy would sit tonight out - Wiseman would switch to left back, Flynn coming in at right back.  Buckley starts in the Dale midfield after his telling introduction on Saturday.

Mr. Miller indicated the start and in increasingly murky conditions both sides rolled forward.  The weather made for tough going, but Dale settled first and began to probe the Magpies defences.  Young Atkinson producing a Ronaldinho-esque sequence of drag backs to carve an opening.  Million pound man Kasper Schmeichel produced an excellent block from the resulting shot.

County were disappointingly static but could point to a header off the bar from Bishop and a curling shot from Westcarr which inched wide of the post, however Dale had more and better chances through both O'Grady and Dagnall.  Dagnall rapping the underside of the bar from 30 yards before the ball hammered into the ground - without the benefit of a Russian linesman on duty, it was adjudged not to have crossed the line.  

On the half hour County had a shot cleared off the line by Taylor and five minutes later they grabbed a slightly unlikely lead.  Atkinson lost the ball in the left back position and after a neat period of interplay the ball fell to Westcarr who drilled in a deep cross.  As Flynn tried to get between the ball and the advancing Davies, he misjudged and headed it past a flummoxed Heaton and into the back of his own net.  1-0 County.

However, just five minutes later - Dale were back on level terms.  Dagnall surged into the box and weaved around two players before Clapham stuck out a leg and brought him down.  The linesman may not have been Russian - but he had no doubt about indicating a penalty.  The next few minutes were slightly embarrasing.  Sven went uncharacteristically berserk.  The Notts County players followed suit - remonstrating with Mr. Miller for what seemed an age.  Unsurprisingly, Mr. Miller didn't change his mind.  Dagnall placed the ball on the spot.  Schmeichel picked it up and re-spoted it.  Dagnall re-seated it.  Schmeichel re-spotted it.  Mr. Miller intervened.  Dagnall put the ball down again.  The linesman cleared up Schneichel's confusion over the exact location of his line.  Dagnall advanced.  1-1!

Five minutes later embarrasment turned into pure comedy.  Stanton pumped the ball up field.  Lee and Hunt charged in to clear the danger, collided with one another and collapsed to the turf.  O'Grady was alert to the opportunity, rounded the cuddling couple, rounded a despairing lunge from Schmeichel and slotted the ball into the vacant net.  2-1 Dale!

Notts County kicked off.  Mr. Miller blew for half time.

My half time discussion with Mr. Culshaw was an odd one.  In spite of the financial inequalities - Dale were ahead.  The concern was - it simply couldn't last.  County had quality to burn and more to call on from the bench.  Dale couldn't even fill theirs and two of the six man bench were trainees.  It was just a matter of time before the Magpies struck.

They didn't disappoint.  The second half was pretty much all County.  Dale occasionally raided forward - but County had the majority of posession and with a howling wind at their backs they pushed Rochdale back again and again.  The thing was that as terrorised as Dale were at times, their resolve never cracked - Stanton and Dawson ensuring that Akinbiyi, Rodgers and later Ritchie were left with little room for manoeuvuer.  The majority of County's efforts were from range and were either wide of goal or comfortably dealt with by Heaton.  With minutes to go Dale survived a furious appeal for handball in the area and then to the collective surprise and relief of the Spotland faithful, Mr. Miller blew for full time.

The waggish elements inside Spotland offered some creative suggestions on where County might keep their wallets in future.  Personally I doubt that it would be possible - let alone practical.

Speak Your Brains

Your cast for tonight: Me

On my summer holiday I met a group of Notts County fans.  It was the day the news of Sven's appointment was announced.  They informed me that County were the biggest club in League 2 and furthermore that they were too big for this league anyway - they went on to point out that with their newly endowed millions they would win the league at a canter.  This one's for you boys.

This game was settled by mistakes.  Atkinson and Flynn combined to provide County's opener.  Clapham's lunge got Dale back on terms.  Hunt and Lee's misunderstanding sealed the deal.

Dale stay second and move to within a point of table toppers Bournemouth.

Rise

Rochdale AFC 3 - 0 Notts County FC

Journey:

The voyage back from the Principality of Essex was a long one. My SatNav, Jane, achieved some form of critical meltdown and declined to provide any assistance in getting Mr. Keane, Mr. Rigby and I home. Road sign's were missed and we ended up coming back via the M1, M62 route. Like I said, a long one.

It had been a great weekend. Truly great. Friendships renewed, cooked breakfast's consumed, the occasional small cup of beer and Mr. Cootes got his dishes washed, dried and put away. It was just that kind of weekend.

But there was the small matter of that 20 minutes. That 20 minutes were a 2-1 lead turned into a 3-2 defeat. 20 minutes where triumph turned to tragedy...

As we dropped down off the Pennines and rounded the bend in the M62 - the one where you can see all of Rochdale spread out below you - a giant yellow sun was creeping towards the safety of the horizon. As the sun set over Rochdale, it felt like the sun may also be setting on Dale's season.

...and so to tonight.

In spite of my previous performance Mr. Culshaw had invited me to take up the second chair for tonight's live match coverage on Roch Valley Radio. I was supposed to meet him at 6:30 - but traffic on the M60 meant that by 6:50 I was just joining Roch Valley Way. I was in a rush.

Past the Cemetary Hotel and onwards up Sandy Lane... and then I saw something that almost stopped me in my tracks. A brilliant glow coming from up the road. A great halo of light over Greave. A sunrise over Spotland. A sunrise at five to seven on a winters evening.

You could explain it away as the effect of hugely powerful halogen lamps on the heavy fog shrouding Rochdale - or - you could call it an omen. It's entirely up to you - but picking option 'A' (lamps/fog) would somewhat ruin the mood. But as I say, entirely up to you...

Weather:

I think I have covered the fog thing. However, in case you were in any doubt - it was really foggy.

Food:

Due to my commentary responsibilities, tonight would be a meat and potato pie free zone. That said, it wouldn't be a food free zone. More on this later.

Away Support:

I believe the song goes a little something like this:

'You're going home in a taxi! You're going home in a taxi! Hoooome in a taaaaxi! You're going home in a taxiiii!'.

Very disappointing considering the hundreds of Rochdale fans who had made their way to Meadow Lane one frigid Tuesday night last October.

Action:

After the performance on Saturday there was little doubt that there would be changes for tonight. Wiseman would replace Ramsden at right full-back. Toner would replace Keltie in central midfield and Dagnall would replace St. Adam at centre forward.

I slid into my commentary position, donned my headphones and waited for the game to begin.

...and waited ...and waited ...and...waited...

The kick off hadn't been postponed due to the fog. The game was going on right before my eyes. It was just that nothing was actually happening.

Chastened by the Dagenham experience Rochdale had set themselves up in a 4-2-3-1 formation - with the central midfield almost bolted to the back four. Add this to the Magpies naturally defensive instincts and you have a recipe for - well - quite a lengthy period of not very much. Long intervals passed where the only action was Fielding hoofing the ball upfield to Lillis in the County goal - who would then return the favour. End to end stuff - but not perhaps as we know it.

Then, as the clock trudged towards half time Dale seemed to collectively decide: 'well, as we're here - lets have a go'. The game finally took flame and a series of good opportunities for Dale followed including a sequence of three corners.

In the dying seconds the Shaker Maker picked up on the Rochdale left, drove infield and layed a neat pass off to Jones before continuing his run. Jones burst into the County area and delivered a low cross - to who else but - the Shaker Maker. He turned, he stumbled, he fell - but somehow contrived to chip the ball over a sprawling Lillis in the process. 1-0 Dale!

Half time and I was in for a little treat. Being part of the press corp meant that I could go into the press lounge. Now 'lounge' may be over doing things a little - it is a small room under the Main Stand, accessed via the kit room - but I do now understand the attraction of sports journalism.

They have sandwiches and individual pork pies and sausage rolls and all the tea and coffee you can handle... and, get this, it's all free! Free I tell you! Unfortunately I was trying to create a good impression tonight so I had to stifle the urge to dive in face first. You have no idea how hard it was. You really don't...

And so to the second half. After the tedious dirge that was the first half, the second half began brightly. Rochdale reverted to 4-4-2 and in spite of a hopeful early penalty shout against Stanton for handball, Dale were very much in control.

County continued to counter attack at pace - just as they had in the first half - but without ever generating a clear cut opportunity.

Dale made changes: Rundle on for Adams, Buckley off for St. Adam - but In spite of this and remaining very much on top it looked like 1-0 to Rochdale it would stay.

With twenty minutes to go Wiseman picked up the ball and drove forward on the Rochdale right, ending with a neat pass to St. Adam who thumped a cross into the County area where it found Dagnall unhindered just feet from goal. Quite which part of Dagnall converted the opportunity is unclear - it probably doesn't matter. 2-0!

It all seemed rather easy. The only area of concern was St. Adam's footwear. In truth, words don't really do those bad boys justice. Lets just say that they are not a colour you would see in nature and that in spite of the fog, I had no trouble spotting him. Mind you, nor would low flying aircraft.

As the clock wound down, Wiseman once again drove down the right - delivering a defence splitting pass for St. Adam to sprint onto. Perhaps the resulting effort was intended as a cross - however, by some means the ball contrived to squirm under the pouncing Lillis and ended up in the back of the net. 3-0!

As the smiling Rochdale players made their way to the tunnel I felt the urge to rise - and applaud. Granted, I almost garroted myself on the headphone cable - but I couldn't help myself.

Summary:

Ok - lets not get carried away. The first half was pretty awful - only rescued by an instant of endeavour from Buckley. However, once in the lead there was really only one team in it. County did not have the change of gear displayed so effectively by Lincoln and Dagenham. Once they were behind they had little hope of recovering.

All in all a decent performance - Dagnall is worthy of special mention for his solo vigil upfront in the first half, Thompson had a good game - there is some way to go but he seems to improve with every appearance. However, and in spite of St. Adam's day-glo boots, the man of the hour for me was Wiseman - it has taken a while but we are finally getting to see the player who tore Rochdale apart at the Darlington Arena last season. Well I did tell you...

3 points, 3 goals and a third clean sheet for the season. Rochdale AFC rise again.

Turner Watch:

If you have seen The Clown Prince of Spotland recently - do let me know. We are beginning to miss him.

27/01/09

txt

Notts County FC 1 - 2 Rochdale AFC

Journey:

A butterfly flaps it's wings in Tokyo and we get rain in Rochdale: Chaos theory.

Sunderland beat Newcastle at the weekend and I get to leave Wigan at 4:30 to travel to Nottingham: My boss is a Sunderland fan theory.

In a season when I am going that extra mile (5600 to be precise) for Dale - I find myself keeping more than half an eye on the progress of the Black Cat's. I need to bring up the subject of Gillingham away shortly...

M6, A500, A50, A453 - allowing for traffic outside Nottingham I finally arrived at Meadow Lane just before 7pm.

This is game fourteen of the 101 Project. You might suppose that vast amounts of planning and forethought go into organising such a venture.

You might suppose that - but you would be very, very wrong.

Basically for away trips, I need four things.

1) A postcode

2) SatNav

3) I-Pod

4) Mobile

The required postcode is usually obtained just as I leave the house/work from the internet. Although on one occasion this season I have had to go back again - having forgotten to get it. The postcode is of course required for my SatNav.

My SatNav has a mind of her own. I say her - because she has developed a personality. Jane - for that is her name - must be treated with care and tenderness, because the alternative is pretty unpleasant.

She doesn't like to be rushed - you can't just jump in the car and demand a destination - oh no - several minutes must pass before we get to that part - she needs to prepare herself. Having allowed time for her to get ready - think carefully before suggesting a potential destination - if she doesn't like your suggestion, she will shut down and then go through an overly lengthy re-start process - after which she may reconsider your proposal, possibly. If your choice of destination is particularly offensive she will freeze solid, refusing any further instructions - you can't even switch her off - you have to wait until the batteries run out.

I have considered getting a new SatNav - but I suspect that Jane would want half of the car.

By contrast my I-Pod is a model of consistency - charge it up and away it goes. Hours of musical entertainment to bemuse and upset Mr. Keane.

The final ingredient in this technological trio is my mobile. Being a man it is obviously not used to talk to people - that would be too obvious. Texting. Texting is how away trips are organised. Endless almost vowel-less communications - where a brief phone call would probably have done the trick.

'U goin t gme m8?'

Considering these facts - it is amazing I get to any games - let alone all of them.

Weather:

The matricies on the M6 promised snow. Thankfully they were wrong - however, it was absolutely freezing. Hat, scarf, gloves and big coat required.

Food:

As this was to be a solo venture - in spite of numerous text's, both Mr. Keane and Mr. Turner had turned down the opportunity to travel to Robin Hood's back yard - I decided to ring the changes. Chicken and mushroom pie. Very cosmopolitan. Including the essential cup of hot coffee I didn't see much change from a fiver.

Ground:

There isn't much to say about Meadow Lane, it is along with Darlington about the best ground in the league. County's years at a significantly higher level of football have produced something to be very proud of. Even the toilets are nice - i.e. not awash with suspicious liquid.

That said, from my last visit to County where we were accommodated in the Kop Stand, I would find myself located in the Jimmy Sirrel Stand tonight. On balance not a bad move - a much better view was had by the 300+ Dale fans who journeyed south.

Finally, I would like to reflect on the County match program. What an excellent read. One of the best program's I have picked up this season. No aspect of the Magpies season so far was left un-disected - the section on Dale was also really good. All of this detail however means one thing - it is also the thickest program I have come accross. Practically a book. But on a bitterly cold night where you have to sit on an unsympathetic plastic chair - having a thick book to insulate your behind is no bad thing.

Action:

Having put Chester and Aldershot to the sword in the last ten days - expectation among the travelling support was pretty high. But I remember last seasons trip to Meadow Lane. Dale had been comprehensively ambushed by County and had retired back north on the wrong end of a 1-0 result. Could County reproduce that steely performance this time around?

Mr. Hill continued his practice of rotating his wingers - Rundle and Thompson would start, Buckley on the bench. From my vantage point I couldn't tell if he had been provided with a match program.

The biting cold seemed to have an effect on proceedings. The opening ten-fifteen minutes were largely inconclusive. However, once Dale got the blood flowing they began to produce the kind of football which had taken care of Chester and Aldershot.

In spite of the quality of Dale's play and a string on half chances only two efforts really troubled Hoult in the Magpies goal. A twenty yard rocket from Jones which clipped the post on the way out of play, followed by a deft header from Thompson which had Hoult at full stretch.

A decent first half - but nothing to show for it. A couple of weeks ago I would have been concerned that we hadn't scored - but the last couple of performances gave me some comfort. Plus, we hadn't conceded. This should just be a matter of time...

Far more alarmingly than the events on the pitch - as the first half unfolded it became clear that I was not in fact alone.

A text (well what else) from Mr. McCabe revealed that he and the Playboy were somewhere in the crowd. After some further texting I tracked them down at half-time. After some needless vilification of my gloves (effeminate, apparently), we agreed to sit together for the second half.

Within two minutes of the kick off, the Magpies were ahead. County's Weston had charged into the Dale box and was adjudged to have been brought down by Wiseman. Mr. Gibbs had no second thoughts about indicating the penalty spot and Forrester calmly converted the spot kick. 1-0 County.

The penalty award provoked a vigorous reaction from the Rochdale fans. It really did seem that Weston had run into Wiseman. It seemed at best a very soft decision. That said, I have seen far better shouts turned down and much weaker ones given - quite what goes on in referee's minds is at times deeply confusing.

Linking up with Mr. McCabe and the Playboy meant no further texts from that quarter - however it was around this point that Mr. Keane began to text me. He was listening to the game on t'interweb in the warmth of his home and was seeking pitch side reaction.

The next quarter of an hour saw Dale return to the type and style of football we saw in the first half with little serious reply from County who seemed happy to protect what they had. It also saw a trickle of texts between Nottingham and Rochdale as I appaised Mr. Keane of developments.

On 63 Rochdale levelled the tie through Lee Thorpe. I understand that it was a very good goal. Regrettably I was responding to Mr. Keane's latest missive and missed it.

So far this season I have missed three goals - this really must stop.

With the tie level County's defensive approach was undone and it was little real surprise when Dale took the lead on 73. The normally ponderous Thorpe hared clear of the Magpie's back four, skipped around the keeper and delivered a clinical angled finish. 2-1 Dale.

County did push to get back into the game as the clock wound down, producing a couple of dangerous looking corners - but to no significant effect.

The game to this point had been played in good spirit - however the concluding ten minutes saw a couple of regrettable incidents were Magpie's players unburdend their frustration. Rundle was on the receiving of a particularly ugly challenge which on another day could have seen the perpetrator heading for the dressing room.

2-1 Dale. A well earned victory. I would have clapped the players off the pitch - but I couldn't feel my hands.

Summary:

County really were not very good tonight. There was hardly a glimmer of the super organised team which had beaten Rochdale here last season. The penalty was something of a gift meaning that the scoreline rather flattered the home team.

Lee Thorpe had the best game of his time at Dale. OK he scored two - but his all around play was excellent. He and Dagnall are becoming a partnership which should concern any team in the league. I had a feeling at the start of the season that Thorpe and Dagnall would work well as a combination - it is nice to be proved right.

My final text of the night was to Mr. Keane who had asked for a final reaction to the result. Here is my reply:

'Frozen but happy :-)'

Pretty much covers it I think.

Turner Watch:

May be in some degree of trouble following some off-colour crank calls on his radio progam.

28/10/08

Journeymen

Rochdale AFC 4 - 2 Notts County FC

Journey:

I was reading the BBC message board in the week and was intrigued to hear that two lads from Glasgow regularly make the trip to Spotland to watch the Dale. That is some trip.

My journey today was every bit as epic.

06:00 Rochdale. Left my house in a cold, drizzly dawn - heading for Rochdale train station. Got the train to Manchester - arrived- walked across Manchester - got the train to London. 10:00 London.

Arrived at my meeting. If you arrive at a place of business to find: a G-Whizz parked outside, asking for a coffee involves a menu, all the blokes have topiary beards and the girls are called Jocasta, Elfin or Summer - there is only one explanation. You have entered... A Marketing Agency.

14:30 London. Taxi back to Euston through rubbish London traffic. Got the train to Manchester - arrived - walked across Manchester - after a false start managed to get on a train to Rochdale. 19:00 Rochdale.

Whilst I was sat on the train from Rochdale I noticed the chap facing me was wearing a black and white striped football shirt. Mainly because I had spent the day with people who say 'yuh' instead of 'yes' - and assuming him to be Dale - I decided to strike up a conversation. 'Going to the game?'. Leaning forward he said 'yes' (not 'yuh' you note) - as he did so his jacket fell open and I saw - Magpies!

Curse our centenary kit!

He turned out to be a decent fella. He'd finished work early in Nottingham and set off on his own, by train to see the game tonight. We talked about the Magpies future - he was not very optimistic, there was even a shade of concern that the venerable old club could go out of business. We laughed about the plans to turn Mansfield Town into Harchester United. We speculated about tonight's final score - he thought County were in for a hammering - I was a bit more cautious after the mugging Dale got down at Meadow Lane.

The train pulled into Rochdale and we went our seperate ways wishing each other good luck for later.

Most uncharacteristically for me, I arrived at the ground seven whole minutes early. Mr Mitchell was stunned.

Weather:

Clear blue skies. On an evening like this, you can see promotion from here.

Food:

Having shunned the tofu and beansprout wrap I was offered in London I was starving. Two pies and a coke was the answer.

Mr. Keane having gorged himself at home was not in the mood for pie or burger tonight. I got him a coffee. I did offer him the use of one of my new gloves - but he did not seem to like the idea of looking like Michael Jackson - however briefly.

Part way through his coffee he announced that he quite fancied a Twix. Some time later he mentioned it again and then a little later, again. Finally, and with about ten minutes left to half time he decided to haul himself down to the Patisserie. They had sold out.

There is probably some kind of moral here - please feel free to make one up.

Away Support:

I looked out for my fellow journeyman - but I didn't see him. Fifty or so to start with. A few more filtered in as the first half progressed. To their credit they made up for their slender numbers by singing like maniacs throughout.

Action:

Somthing was wrong. As the team was read out we noticed the absence of Stanton, Mc Ardle and Muirhead. Coming in were Holness, D'Laryea and Thompson. Squad rotation - at the Dale? No. An accident on the motorway had trapped our regulars in a huge tail-back.

In the context of Dale's recent run of form and County's desperate position in the league - such significant changes to a winning side were concerning.

The Magpies have built something of a reputation as goal-less away draw specialists. It was clear from the kick-off that they intended to defend in depth. They did. It was pretty dreary. It was no surprise when the half-time whistle blew that honours were even at 0 - 0.

It was encouraging to see that our over-fed Dale-mation was back on duty. He (or possibly she?) spent half time letting the ball boys & girls try to put penalties past him.

Mr. Mitchell had brought an associate with him this evening. Felix. He introduced himself saying, 'I come to Spotland 2 or 3 times a year - whether I need to or not'. Felix is latin for 'to be lucky', He should come more often.

The second half started more brightly - Dale were getting into their stride. Thompson made way for St. Adam on 53. On 57 Dale were in the lead.

In almost a carbon copy of Dales first on Saturday, Kennedy released Rundle who provided a quality left foot cross which found USS Howe patrolling the near post. A looping header defeated Hoult. 1 - 0 Dale.

Ten minutes later endeavour and persistence from Rundle made it 2 - 0. Rundle had been excellent all game and this was a just reward.

Two minutes later Dale nerves were jangling when Weston bull-dozed his way into the Dale area and unleashed a low cross which found football's archetypal journeyman Jason Lee (14 clubs and counting, now minus pineapple) unmarked at the back post. He made no mistake. 2 - 1.

Any worries were calmed six minutes later when USS Howe broke clear down the right and unleashed a shell of a cross which found St. Adam arriving at pace in the box. A deft and clinical header left Hoult stranded. The quality of this goal was breathtaking - it wouldn't have looked out of place in the Premiership. 3 - 1.

At this point procedings were pretty well closed. Michael Johnson contrived to pass the ball past his own keeper on 85 to make it 4 - 1 for Dale and some over exuberant Dale defending earned County a penalty on 90 - neatly slotted home by Mackenzie to make it 4 - 2. But by this stage the result was beyond doubt.

Summary:

500+ miles. 5 wins on the spin. A dreary first half followed by some truly exceptional play from Dale. Now is the time to believe.

The match report will return in: Dale vs Dagger's - the return leg. Messers O'Shaunessey, Evans and Cootes - watch out!

Turner Watch:

Apparently working with disadvantaged kids on behalf of UNICEF. Whether they were disadvantaged before they met Mr. Turner is a matter of serious speculation.

8/04/09

Mobbed

Notts County FC 1 - 0 Rochdale AFC

Journey:

Away trips usually begin with a trip to my local corner shop. Let's face it who can afford to pay motorway service station prices? As I was selecting drinks, crisps etc - I ran into 'Pickle' Pete. Pete is a die-hard Dale fan who I have been on chatting terms with for years. In that time he has proved to be an excellent source of Dale gossip - today was no exception.

As I waited to pay; Pete passed on three useful nuggets:

Dagnall has signed a contract upto 2010.

Dale have already signed a new striker for the 2008/9 season. Prepare for the return of the Mack - Lee McEvily will be back at Spotland come summer!

The remaining Dale players fretting on contract extensions need not worry - new contracts are being drafted as we speak.

With all that absorbed I got in the car and with light snow falling over Rochdale - I headed south. The journey was largely event free. Sudden roundabout had elected to be a roundabout this weekend - so no headaches getting out of the Borough. M62, M1 - past the 80's theme park (Sheffield) and onwards to Nottingham. Nottingham centre itself is a bit of a warren - but even with heavy Saturday traffic we were at Meadow Lane in a little under two hours.

Well - not exactly. We were actually at the City Ground - due to some pilot error on my part. A further few minutes of negotiating the byways of Nottingham saw us safely parked up right next to Meadow Lane. £5 to park.

Weather:

There was loads.

Food:

I should explain at this stage that our normal line-up of connoisseurs were not available for this trip. Messers Keane and Mitchell were on international duties. Rochdale's flake baron was reaping the ripe bounty of the holiday weekend. Mr. Turner was probably opening a supermarket somewhere.

Therefore, along with Lady Luck there was a surprise call-up for Mrs. Eden-Maughan.

A coffee and two Coke's £4.30. Not quite in the Mansfield league - but still pretty steep. Unlike Mansfield, the coffee was definitely coffee.

£2.50 for a chicken and mushroom pie! Granted it was a Pukka pie - and very nice to - if a little on the hot side - but £2.50! On the other hand, Mrs. Eden-Maughan opted for the hot dog. This was also £2.50 - but it was possibly the largest hot dog I have ever seen. Basically a loaf - split down the middle with a sausage and all the fried onions you could handle. Always an eye for a bargain that wife of mine.

Ground:

In previous reports I have been fairly acid on the subject of the grounds I have visited. The agricultural qualities of Moss Rose, the half-done Field Mill and the baffling grab-bag of structures that is Edgeley Park.

Meadow Lane is nothing like any of these. Four modern stands, all seated, all enclosed. The home of the Magpies is the best ground I have visited for some years.

The home support was pretty impressive - upwards of 3000. Although for reasons which were not exactly clear the stand facing us was almost empty. In fairness, there were some fairly big gaps all around the ground - but then consider that sixteen years ago - County were rubbing shoulders with Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal in English football's top tier. This ground was designed for very different times.

Dale's away support continues to surprise and delight. Easily 500 - if not many more. Considering there was only one coach laid on, this was all the more impressive. The Dale choral society were in good voice half an hour before the kick-off - inflatables were being tossed back and forth amongst the throng to add to the holiday mood.

Action:

Magpies. Have you ever seen how Magpies deal with an ambitious cat or an exuberant dog? No? Let me explain:

As one, they will take to the wing and then take it in turns to dive bomb the offender until such time as it realises that there are probably easier pickings elsewhere. It is called - according to the RSPB - mobbing. I strongly suspect that Mr. McParland has seen this to.

Dale were on a high after last weeks antics versus the hapless Accrington Stanley and started the game with their customary elan - winning a freekick on the edge of the county area just minutes into the game.

But then it began to go wrong.

Dale tried to pass the ball around but were harried and closed down at every turn. Pass after pass was cut out by a County player throwing themselves into the path of the ball. Jones and Perkins were simply being over-run.

Dale tried to switch to an ariel route of attack to avoid the relentless and frenzied assault on the midfield. As you would expect, the Magpies were excellent in the air - and more than contained Dale's escape route.

With the midfield played out of the game and Howe and LeFondre ably stewarded by the County defence - the blows began to fall on the Dale back four. Chance after chance fell to the Magpies as the half wore on. On eighteen minutes County looked certain to take advantage of a horrible mix-up between McArdle and loan keeper Lee - only poor finishing from Crow saved Dale's blushes. The pressure continued to build and on twenty eight minutes Johnson put the Magpies ahead in the melee following a poorly handled corner.

As the whistle blew for half time Dale retired from the field, comprehensively out-competed and 1-0 down.

Half time was brightened by small boys playing eleven-a-side - commentary provided by a man apparently trying to impersonate Colin Crompton. The boys in all blue - were County - the boys in red and white stripes - were Dale. Well, according to Colin that is. All very confusing. 'Dale' won 6-1.

The second half would be a pretty frantic affair. Dale pressed forward and created a good selection of chances including a dramatic goal line clearance from a Basham shot. Dale also had the ball in the net - twice - both efforts ruled out for reasons which were not exactly clear.

By this stage the Magpies were plainly hanging on for dear life - but with a lead to protect and the commitment of the first half still very much in evidence - Dale simply could not find a way through.

Dale made a couple of late substitutions - but to no obvious advantage. By this stage County were more than happy to hold the ball up by the corner flag.

Summary:

I am not sure quite what Dale had expected today - perhaps that struggling County could be swept aside as they had done to Mansfield and Accrington so recently?

County are a proud club with a long (the longest in fact) tradition of league football. Today they were simply in no mood to allow Dale to help drive them into the Conference.

Never a pretty game by any means - County nullified Dale's plans and firmly imposed their own. Worthy winners.

As I plunged into a gathering blizzard north of Nottingham an old Level 42 track came on the radio. Like Mark King I was left to lament, '...could be better, should be better...'

Turner Watch:

I really don't know why I bother with this bit anymore.

22/03/08