Adams runs the show in cup embarrassment

Adams runs the show in cup embarrassment

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Rochdale 1 (Prendergast 45)
Bury 3 (Hurst 57, 84, Rouse 82)

Bury secured a second win at Spotland in the space of four days by cruising past Rochdale and into the Third Round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Bury had clung on for the three points in Saturday’s league win but here there was no need for another defensive display. Rochdale undeservedly led at half time but they were swept aside by three second half goals without a shot being fired in anger by Rochdale in response.

Nicky Adams, the scorer of Bury’s decisive second goal on Saturday, ran Rochdale ragged and although he did not get on the score sheet this time round, he set up all three Shakers goals. He is the gem in a young Bury side that has twice outclassed Rochdale, on Saturday in defence, here in attack.

Speaking after the match Rochdale manager Keith Hill said he was worried about the effect such comprehensive defeats may have on some of the younger players in his squad. “We’ve got to be careful that we don’t hurt the players. I’m not surprised with the fans reaction but the key word in football these days is patience and if the players start hiding on the pitch then we’re in real trouble. Hitting the players with the stick instead of feeding them with the carrot at the moment could get us into real trouble.”

Although, as expected, changes were made to the Rochdale starting eleven from Saturday Rochdale’s display was such that a few changes to the team would not stand up as any sort of explanation for the performance.

A dull first half at least saw better defending than Dale’s opening nightmare in Saturday’s derby but the nil in the goals against column had more to do with Bury’s wayward shooting from decent positions than any particular defensive strength from the home side. Dale keeper Sam Russell, making his debut, had to be alert on more than one occasion without being forced to make a save of note.

Bury’s poor shooting meant that their own goal became the one that was more troubled and the only real save of the half saw Jim Provett at full stretch to turn Adam Rundle’s effort wide after the Dale winger’s mazy run had beaten four men in the build up to the strike.

Rochdale twice struck the crossbar, Provett had Rory Prendergast’s looping header well covered when it landed on the top of the bar but he was more troubled by Rundle’s volley following a Dale corner when the ball slammed into the face of the woodwork.

On the stroke of half time Dale struck. John Doolan’s deep free kick was superbly headed home by Prendergast. Provett had no chance as the ball nestled in the far corner.

If the first half was dull, the second half was a real horror show for the home fans. Bury went through the gears, Rochdale went through the motions and were subsequently played off the park.

The first half injury to Simon Ramsden did not help Rochdale in coping with Bury’s most potent threat in Nicky Adams. The Dale right back suffered a re-occurrence of the calf injury that has kept him out for three weeks and in his own words he is ‘back to square one’. Left footer David Perkins was forced to play right back and Adams sensed that he could be in business.

Bury’s equaliser came through Adams burst down the right channel before pinging in a low cross that was nicely turned home by Glynn Hurst. The man who once scored a hat-trick at Spotland for Notts County, side-footed the ball into the far corner of the net.

Rochdale had nothing to offer in attack, Glenn Murray showed nothing, as he has for a number of games. Bury were able to pick things up when things went all too easily astray from Rochdale and build far more fluent and productive attacks than the few which they had to defend.

Bury sensed victory and the chances were all theirs to win it. Adams drilled inches wide from outside the penalty area and Hurst should have done better than to fire into the side netting after a ball over the top had Dale centre half Guy Branston at sixes and sevens.

The winner duly arrived and Bury even had time to ice the cake to enable their fans to enjoy some good natured ridiculing of their neighbours, even if Rochdale’s second half performance had done the ridiculing for them.

Substitute Domaine Rouse had all the time in the world to slam home Adams’ cutback. He nearly managed the impossible but the shot had enough power to take it in after a huge deflection of the legs of Dale keeper Russell.

Players’ heads dropped and fans departed en masse when Bury struck their third, another Adams cross, the winger this time popping up on the right to add further torment, was gleefully nodded home by Hurst with not a marker in sight.

On Saturday Rochdale had given it a go after an awful start and fallen short, here they had fallen short in every department. Keith Hill has much to ponder and not much time in which to do it. Rochdale face Grimsby on Friday night low on fit players and low on confidence, it is the toughest time Hill has faced in his short managerial career.

Attendance: 2,376

Rochdale: Russell, Ramsden (Doolan 38), Kennedy, Branston, Holness, Prendergast, Perkins, Jones, Rundle (Thompson 83), Murray, Le Fondre (Higginbotham 60).
Subs not used: Spencer, Evans.

Bury: Provett, Parrish, Challinor, Haslam, Barry Murphy, Adams, Anane (Scott 82), Hurst (Dorney 90), Dean (Rouse 61), Buchanan, Baker.
Subs not used: Belford, Young.

Attempts (on target): Rochdale 8 (5) Bury 14 (4)
Freekicks: Rochdale 14 Bury 15
Offside: Rochdale 4 Bury 4
Corners: Rochdale 4 Bury 6

Referee: E Ilderton