Trapdoor Nears for Parkin’s Underperformers

Rochdale 0 - 2 Darlington

Rochdale continue to look downwards in League Two following yet another home defeat and fans are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with events at Spotland. Many are voting with their feet and not attending games, the crowd for this Tuesday night fixture was again below 2,000, whilst those that continue to turn up are beginning to vent their frustrations towards manager Steve Parkin as Dale defeats seem to be inevitable at the moment.

This game was like so many others at Spotland in recent weeks; Dale enjoyed most of the possession but never looked like scoring, Darlington goalkeeper Sam Russell seldom being called upon, whilst at the other end the visitors took advantage of the chances which were too easily made available to them. In short, Rochdale are struggling to penetrate whilst the opposition always seems capable of finding the Dale goal; any team that has such basic problems will struggle and this defeat puts Dale a step closer to the relegation fight.

Dale had the better of the early possession and had plenty of efforts on goal but without ever threatening the score line. Dagnall, Christie and Jones were all involved in the build-up which led to a well struck shot from the Dale captain firing just the wrong side of the post. Although they had fewer chances, it was Darlington who were creating the better opportunities and Matt Gilks rescued an absent defence by saving Cooke’s low drive with his legs.

Gary Jones was at the heart of all Rochdale’s attacks as the home side went through a period of domination mid-way through the first half. Jones had another shot which went wide, this time via the legs of a defender, and a further attempt was struck straight at Russell. Jones was nearly on the score sheet again when Rochdale’s best move of the game saw Christie break free down the right; the striker’s shot just evaded the onrushing skipper.

Darlington took the lead far too easily having coped with the Dale pressure. Not for the first time this season a spell of Rochdale possession ended with a goal for the opposition. Valentine was given too much space down the right and his cut back to the unmarked Cooke, presented a golden opportunity that Cooke was only too grateful to accept, side-footing the ball beyond Gilks. The Darlington goal scorer could have put his side two goals clear just before the break but Gilks kept out his low drive.

The second half provided little excitement as Rochdale continued in the same vein; plenty of the ball but nothing to show for it. With the half only eight minutes old the game seemed over as a contest as the Quakers struck a second through loan winger Jemal Johnson. The Blackburn man got the better of two defenders and all of a sudden he was in on goal only to make a mess of the shot, scuffing it into the ground, but Gilks made an even bigger mess of the save and the ball crept in to give Darlington a cushion.

Only fifty-three minutes gone and the game was effectively over, Rochdale continued to pose no threat despite a couple of half chances whilst Darlington were content with their two goal lead. Johnson should have made the result more embarrassing after going clear from the halfway line but a combination of Alan Goodall and a superb Gilks save denied him. The Dale manager introduced substitutes in place of Christie and Doolan, both January signings were desperately poor, but it was too little too late, although fans had the pleasure of watching a Dale side operate with some width for twenty minutes as youngsters Gary Brown and Ben Kitchen showed some enterprise on the flanks; a novelty indeed.

Visiting supporters taunted the home crowd with chants of “Easy, Easy, Easy.” Darlington’s victory was just that. Fans left the ground dejected whilst some gathered round the tunnel to vent their anger towards the Rochdale manager. It doesn’t get any easier for Rochdale as they travel to promotion contenders Northampton at the weekend before entertaining league leaders Carlisle in midweek. Improvements on the field are essential if Dale are to gain anything, if not then changes may be made off it.