Rochdale 1 Bury 1 - Full Time Report

Photo: Jon Coluccio

Adam Le Fondre celebrates after equalising for Dale from the penalty spot

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Rochdale 1 (Le Fondre 66 pen.)
Bury 1 (Russell o.g. 7)

Rochdale shared a point with local rivals Bury at Spotland. The visitors took the lead during a bright opening spell when Rochdale goalkeeper Sam Russell managed only to punch a David Buchanan corner into his own goal.

Dale’s equaliser came from the penalty spot after Will Buckley was felled inside the area. Adam Le Fondre dispatched the spot kick after he took over penalty duties from Chris Dagnall. Just ten minutes earlier Dagnall had his own attempt from 12 yards saved. The lively Buckley was again the man fouled.

Bury lead Rochdale by one goal to nil at half time thanks to an error from Rochdale goalkeeper Sam Russell to give the visitors the lead.

Russell got into trouble from David Buchanan’s corner and was only able to punch the ball into his own goal.

A bright start from the visitors saw the game played mostly in the Rochdale half and it was clear to see the confidence that the Bury players had generated from a 100% start to the season.

There were few chances early on but Bury did not need any as Rochdale keeper Sam Russell got the wrong side of David Buchanan’s corner and succeeded only in punching the ball into his own net to give the visitors the lead.

Bury looked a different side from the one that has finished so obscurely in recent seasons and Russell was able to go someway towards atoning for his error when he kept out Andy Bishop’s low shot after the Bury striker had gotten the better of Tom Kennedy inside the box.

Slowly Dale settled and the engine room of Gary Jones and Clark Keltie began to pull the strings. It was Jones who earned Dale’s first attempt on goal after he barged his way through a number of challenges only to fire wide of the upright from a tight angle.

Steadily Dale began to build things after their poor start and long range efforts from Will Buckley and Chris Dagnall signalled their intentions but they did not look like getting round the back of the Bury backline and creating anything more meaningful.

Bury’s attacking options gave them plenty to enjoy at the other end and Bishop was again presented with a chance to test Russell when a combination of mistakes by Rory McArdle and Nathan Stanton saw the ball break for the Bury forward. Stanton’s pace allowed him to challenge but Bishop was still able to fire a shot away which Russell was forced to turn over.

Rochdale’s start to the second half was much better than their first and they had the perfect chance to equalise when Adam Le Fondre stole in between Efe Sodje and Ben Futcher to get his head on Tom Kennedy’s cross but his effort sailed wide of the far post.

Chris Dagnall’s chance to equalise was even better as it came from 12 yards. Will Buckley’s burst inside the box was too fast for Sodje and his challenge saw Buckley go down. The referee pointed to the spot for looked like a softly awarded spot kick. Dagnall stepped up and his penalty was at the right height for Wayne Brown, who went the right way to save.

Dale continued to press and minutes later Dagnall was given the opportunity to atone for his error when he was put through on goal. Brown advanced quickly and Dagnall prodded just over the crossbar.

Buckley’s trickery and pace inside the box was far too much for the visiting defence to handle and it was not long before he earned Dale’s second spot kick. A sharp turn from the youngster had Buchanan beaten and he was brought down once more. This time there could be little doubt about the award and a change of taker brought Dale their just rewards as Le Fondre stepped up and made no mistake.

The sides exchanged blows with shots from Stephen Dawson and the ever elusive Buckley going inches wide.

Chances came at a premium in the final twenty minutes with Rochdale enjoying the majority of the play. Bury seemed happy with a share of the spoils and to hit Dale on the counter should the opportunity arise.

Nothing came of either sides exploits and the two sides played out what was, on reflection, a very fair result, although Dale fans will be of the opinion that, with a penalty missed and Bury’s goal coming from a goalkeeper error, they might have had more to cheer on the final whistle. 

Rochdale: Russell, Wiseman, Kennedy, Stanton, McArdle, Rundle, Jones, Buckley, Keltie, Dagnall, Le Fondre.
Subs (not used): Ramsden, Higginbotham, Thorpe, Shaw, Toner.

Booked: Keltie.

Bury: Brown, Scott, Buchanan, Futcher, Sodje, Dawson, Bishop, Barry-Murphy, Jones, Morrell (Baker 84), Bennett (Racchi 78).
Subs (not used): Cresswell, Hurst, Belford.

Attempts (on target): Rochdale 10 (3) Bury 6 (2)
Free kicks: Rochdale 14 Bury 10
Offside: Rochdale 0 Bury 1
Corners: Rochdale 5 Bury 9