Dale End the Rot

Rochdale 1 - 1 Northampton Town

Rochdale fans are getting used to the fact that their games are fast paced and full of chances and their first encounter of 2006 was no different. However there were two crucial differences between this game and the run of recent defeats; there were less goals and, most importantly, Rochdale did not lose against a promotion contender. Northampton Town were the visitors to Spotland and they became the first Rochdale opponent since Shrewsbury Town back in November not to take three points from the game.

Although Grant Holt was not particularly inspiring on his return to action his presence on the pitch seemed to be enough to improve the entire team’s performance; Holt did not add to his goal tally but results when he plays are likely to be an improvement on the three games that he has missed through suspension; they all ended in defeat despite a couple of decent performances whilst his return yielded a point and Rochdale perhaps deserved all three.

Rochdale created chances throughout and this prompted Steve Parkin to comment after the game that his side deserved to take the points and would have done if they could have found the net with numerous opportunities. Despite dictating the play for the majority of the game, however, Rochdale did not have things all their own way as they came up against a decent Northampton outfit that created chances of their own on the counter attack. Harper in the Northampton goal was kept constantly on his toes during the opening exchanges but it was Gilks who made the first save of note as he gathered Hunt’s well struck free-kick.

Rochdale began to get on top as their attacking formation increased the pressure on the visitors. The home side seemed determined to start 2006 the right way and to put a stop to their slide down the league table. Ernie Cooksey had the best of Dale’s first half chances as got himself into good positions in the opposition area. A fierce effort from Warner, well saved by Harper, was sandwiched between Cooksey’s two opportunities, the former Oldham man volleying just wide with ten minutes gone and a guilt edged miss ten minutes later saw the midfielder stretch to put the ball over the bar following Gary Jones mistimed shot.

Northampton created chances themselves but seldom threatened Gilks in the Rochdale goal as they should have done better with some of their opportunities. Strikers McGleish and Kirk were providing occasional moments of inspiration but the ever-impressive Tony Gallimore and Jon Boardman, who performed admirably on his return to the side, were able to keep tabs on them. Josh Low proved to be the more consistent threat with his forays down the right wing on the break but his final ball seldom gave the forwards chance to truly test Gilks.

Meanwhile Rochdale’s barrage of chances continued with the three strikers all playing a part in creating but failing to score them. A Lambert free-kick, whose deliveries were a threat all afternoon, dropped to Blair Sturrock but his shot was somehow blocked and fell to Grant Holt who should have hit the target rather than blaze a volley over the crossbar. Alan Goodall was next to try his luck as he received the ball following a half cleared corner. Fully thirty-five yards out the left-back hit a pile-driving effort which, to his dismay, went straight to Harper. Holt had the final chance of the half as he latched onto a long ball and again asked questions of Harper as he crashed in a low shot but the Northampton keeper again answered with a fine save.

Similar to the Carlisle game on New Years Eve, Rochdale had not taken full advantage of their first half chances. The sides remained level at the half time break but not long into the second period Rochdale were once again harshly punished for their spurned opportunities as Northampton took the lead. The goal will remain a topic for debate as the assistant referee’s interpretation of the offside rule was called into question by the home crowd as the backline pushed up to leave Kirk in an offside position. The Northampton striker seemed to make a run towards the ball but left it to Bojic, who was onside when the ball was played, and he ran through before lobbing the ball neatly over Gilks and into the net.

Rochdale showed the same admirable spirit that they have shown throughout the recent run in that they tried their best not to let the goal get them down, only this time they were finally rewarded for their perseverance and got back into the game with a deserved equaliser. Again the events leading up to the goal were open to interpretation after Grant Holt and Andy Kirk both challenged recklessly for a loose ball on the touch line. Holt seemed to dive in two footed with studs up, taking a slice out of Kirk’s thigh as well as the ball, but Kirk was penalised for a foul on Holt’s shin with both players requiring physio attention after the tackle. The two players were sent to the touchline and they watched as Rickie Lambert’s well delivered free-kick was headed beyond his own goalkeeper by Josh Low.

Chances after the equaliser were few and far between with Rochdale unable to apply the pressure needed for a winner whilst Northampton seemed content with a point on their travels. In fact it was the visitors who had the better of the final quarter with some half chances that could have won them the game but that would have been a cruel blow for the home side who had had the better chances overall and deserved to put an end to their losing run. Rochdale’s nightmare set of tough fixtures is now behind them and although they only yielded a single point, the last three performances deserved better. With a bit more luck the New Year games could see Rochdale steer back in the right direction; on paper they look easier than playing six of the top nine sides in as many games.