Rochdale 1 (Kennedy 37 pen) Brentford 2 (Rhodes 9, MacDonald 15) – Full Time Report

Photo: Jon Coluccio

Mark Phillips wins a header against Will Buckley.

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League leaders Brentford came away from Spotland with all three points after a controversial game at Spotland.

The visitors took the lead from a mystery free kick, ex-Dale loan man Jordan Rhodes getting the vital touch, and then doubling their lead thanks to a well worked move finished off by Charlie MacDonald.

Dale were back in it from the penalty spot after Kevin O’Connor was ruled to have handled in the Brentford penalty area; Tom Kennedy firing in the spot kick.

Dale pushed for an equaliser in the second half but never quite did enough and ultimately Brentford could have come away more comfortable victors after squandering some presentable chances.

Dale made a bright start to proceedings, with full backs Scott Wiseman and Tom Kennedy advancing deep into Brentford territory, and it was from one of those forays that Dale came close; Kennedy firing narrowly wide. The home side were closer minutes later when Chris Dagnall latched onto Rory McArdle’s long ball and lobbed his finish just over the crossbar.

A bright start turned to disaster for Dale. The first goal for the visitors came thanks, in no small way, to the referee. First, the official waved play on after a clear hand ball in the Brentford build up, and then, after Sam had drawn a fine save from Frank Fielding, the referee blew for a free kick, the reason for which not a man in the ground could work out. After Tom Kennedy had cleared the danger a Brentford man went down in the box. Play was stopped, seemingly so that the injured player could receive treatment, but from the re-start the visitors found themselves with a free kick by the right touchline.

With confusion reigning supreme in the Dale back line, Wood’s free kick bounced through to Jordan Rhodes, who returned to haunt the club that he spent a month on loan with earlier this season with a simple finish.

With the Dale bench still questioning the first goal, and at one point the referee even came over to speak to David Flitcroft in an attempt to put the confusion to rest, Brentford scored a killer second.

This goal was all of their own making thanks to Woods’ delightful piece of skill by the left touchline. Jinking in between Wiseman and Nathan Stanton the winger capped his fine to start to the game by putting the ball on a six pence for Charlie MacDonald to finish ten yards out.

Dale tried to settle but they gave another chance to Rhodes on the half hour and the Ipswich man should have made it three after McArdle let the ball bounce and the striker got the wrong side of his man. Fielding saved with his feet and McArdle was able to get back to deny Rhodes a second bite of the cherry.

The referee was surrounded in yet more controversy as Dale pulled one back. As Joe Thompson looked to get on the end of Kennedy’s cross, Kevin O’Connor was adjudged to have handled in the box and the official pointed to the spot. The Brentford skipper protested long and hard until eventually Kennedy stepped up to dispatch the kick.

If the game had not had enough action in the opening period there was even time for a missed open net from the visitors. Brentford countered quickly following a Dale corner and Rhodes pass split goalkeeper and defender to leave MacDonald in. The striker nudged the ball past Fielding but then rolled it past the upright from the edge of the box.

The second half was not without its share of talking points. Brentford squandered another gilt-edged chance to double their lead when Rhodes robbed McArdle deep in Dale territory to go in on goal. The eventual finish was weak and straight at Fielding when it should have secured the points for Brentford.

The game simply didn’t let up and Dale had cries for a penalty when Woods fouled Dagnall has he looked to turn at the byline. Dagnall skipped clear of the Brentford man but the referee brought play back for the foul, which appeared to take place inside the box, but the referee gave a free kick just outside.

McArdle continued to have a rough time of things in the Dale back four and again Rhodes should have sealed the win for his side when the centre half presented him with another gift on the edge of the box. Again the striker could only reward the ball back to Fielding.

Dale pushed for the leveller and came close when substitute Clark Keltie fired narrowly over the cross bar from the edge of the box.

Dale pushed to the end but could not do enough to get the crucial equaliser. They came close in the dying seconds when Ben Hamer spilled Will Buckley’s low cross but the ball would not fall for one of many waiting Dale strikers and the game was up. 

Attendance: 3425

Rochdale: Fielding, Wiseman, Kennedy, Stanton, McArdle, Adams (Le Fondre 59), Toner (Keltie 76), Jones, Thompson (McEvilly 71), Buckley, Dagnall.
Subs (not used): Ramsden, Rundle.

Booked: Stanton.

Brentford: Hamer, O’Connor, Dickson, Bean, Phillips, Bennett, MacDonald (Elder 76), Rhodes (Hunt 89), Wood, Osborne, Williams (Newton 58).
Subs (not used): Brown, Halls.

Attempts (on target): Rochdale 11 (2) Brentford 9 (6)
Free kicks: Rochdale 19 Brentford 16
Offside: Rochdale 0 Brentford 2
Corners: Rochdale 7 Brentford 2

Referee: A Hall.