Bury 2 - 4 Rochdale

Bury v Rochdale
0 - 1 as Grimes header beats Belford in the Bury goal

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Rochdale netted their first League win of the season in a pulsating 4-2 win at near neighbours Bury.

3-0 up inside 18 minutes through Grimes, Holness and Adams, Bury hit back to send the sides in 3-1 at the interval.

A quick fire 4th from David Ball inside 2 minutes of the re-start gave Eyre’s man a comfortable margin that even an Andy Bishop strike and the sending off of Nicky Adams couldn’t de-rail Dale.

Marcus Holness and Nicky Adams were recalled to the starting line-up after last weekend’s defeat at Stevenage with Neal Trotman and Jason Kennedy making way.

Still looking for their first league win of the season, Eyre’s men set about jobs and were rewarded inside 5 minutes. Former Shaker Nicky Adams’ right wing cross was met by the unmarked Grimes who powered home a header from 6 yards.

Dale continued to press and from an Adams corner, Balkestein sent a low volley through a crowd of bodies but Belford saved.

David Ball saw another effort deflected wide but from the resultant corner Dale made it 2-0. Marcus Holness met Widdowson’s flag kick with a thunderous header that Belford just couldn’t keep out.

It was all one way traffic with Rochdale pressing home their advantage. Pim Balkestein saw his powerful header come back off the underside of the cross bar whilst Grimes stole the ball off Sodje in another attack as the veteran defender was trying let the ball roll out for a goal kick but David Ball saw his close range shot smothered by Belford.

It wouldn’t be long before Dale got their 3rd which saw many Shakers fans head for the club bars! David Ball saw his long range effort only parried by Belford with Adams on hand to turn home the loose ball. With emotions running high for the former Gigg Lane favourite, Adams was booked for removing his shirt in celebration; a move that he would later regret.

With Rochdale seemingly cruising, the proverbial cat was set amongst the pigeons just 3 minutes later when Mike Jones spotted Kean off his line and sent a deft lob over the Dale stopper for 3-1.

That goal boosted Bury’s confidence and they nearly got a second 5 minutes later in farcical conditions. Balkestein made a terrific tackle on the edge of the area with the ball going to Kean but as the stopper picked up the ball, referee Salisbury pointed for a free-kick for a back pass. The Shakers took the kick quickly and scored but the referee ruled it out and ordered the free kick to be re-taken with Adams clearing off the line.

Much of the half time discussions were centred on the next goal being hugely decisive and the travelling support didn’t have to wait long for their team to restore the 3 goal cushion. Another Adams cross was this time spilled by Belford with Ball on hand to loft the ball home from close range.

Chances were few and far between after that but Bishop set up a tense finale just after the hour mark. Mike Jones’ deflected shot found the former Dale striker inside the area and with time, swivelled to fire past Kean.

As the Shakers pushed to get another Kean was called into action by Sweeney but the on loan Blackburn keeper was equal to the midfielder’s free kick.

A huge talking point came on 76 minutes when Dale were reduced to 10 men. Nicky Adams, already booked for his goal celebrations, was shown a second yellow for a foul on substitute Mark Cullen. The second caution seemed harsh but it meant playing 14 minutes with a man less.

Being urged on by the home support, Bury pressed for goals but found a resilient Dale strengthened by subs Jason Kennedy & Brian Barry-Murphy.

Dale hit the Shakers on the counter attack but Tutte saw his shot saved whilst Akpa-Akpro shot wide.

It was tremendous result and performance by the Spotland side which will fill them with confidence ahead of Tuesday night’s visit of Scunthorpe.

A very happy Steve Eyre spoke about his first League win: “We didn’t really get caught up in the derby mood we just wanted to put a solid performance in.

"We are confident we can score goals but we would have like a clean sheet.

"We just concentrated on getting 3 points and I don’t think that anybody could deny us that today.

"We hit the bar and had another couple of fantastic chances which go in for you on days like this.

"We have had starts like that this season but not scored.

"At half time we re-grouped, we spoke about the next goal and how vital it would be and when you capitalise on a mistake you don’t any anybody else other than David Ball in that position.

"The early goal in the second half proved crucial and it was nice to be on the other end of it, we have been on the receiving end of it this season but today we have had the opportunity to defend a lead.

"I will try and give Nicky (Adams) some comfort but it’s the second time it has happened for us this season with Neal going back to Oldham. There have got to be better ways of controlling the adrenalin. It can be the best feeling in the world or it can be a devil to you. Nicky has to grow up from that, it was a goal for the team but now its going to cost him and us.

"We haven’t got too carried away in the dressing room. We want the players to enjoy their evening with their families but that result is for all the supporters who have followed us all over and have been waiting for this moment.

"We are now looking at Scunthorpe where we want back to back wins.”

N Power League One
Bury 2-4 Rochdale
Jones 21 Grimes 5
Bishop 63 Holness 10
Adams 18
Ball 47

Sent off: Adams 76 (second booking)


Att:4897

Rochdale: Kean, Widdowson, Holness, Balkestein, Darby, Jones ©, Tutte (Barry-Murphy 87), Ball (Kennedy 78), Adams, Grimes (Barnes-Homer 73), Akpa-Akpro

Subs (not used): Lucas, Trotman,

Bury: Belford, Picken ©, Skarz, Sweeney, Worrall, Bishop, M Jones (Haworth 73), Coke (Byrne 53), Sodje, Eastham, Harrad (Cullen 53)

Subs (not used): Branagan, A Jones,

Referee: Mr Graham Salisbury
Ass Referee: Mr B Gordon
Mr A Greenwood
4th Official: Mr T Harrington