Goal flood at soaking Spotland

Rochdale 4 (Jones 44, Dagnall 62, Mocquet 65, Murray 70)
Boston United 0

French winger William Mocquet was the catalyst for Rochdale’s first win in six matches. Mocquet had proved to be a joy to watch when he came on and helped Rochdale to a share of the spoils in the last game against Wrexham and against Boston he was given the chance to impress from the start; and he more than lived up to expectations and this time his side took all three points in emphatic style.

Mocquet announced his intentions early, the first time he received the ball he let it run under his feet, fooling marker Lee Canoville, and then skipped effortlessly passed the helpless full back. The piece of skill was typical of the Sunderland loanee’s afternoon and Canoville, like his team, was in for a torrid afternoon as Rochdale looked to get at the visitors from the start with Adam Rundle causing similar, if less spectacular problems on the opposite flank.

The only surprise was that it took until just before half time for the home side to open the scoring. They had earlier had Chris Dagnall’s header, from Mocquet’s cross, ruled out for pushing by referee Booth and the busy Boston defence had put in some vital blocks and tackles, which prevented Andy Marriott from being tested in goal.

The only hope for Boston, who were hapless throughout, appeared to be on the counter attack as Dale moves broke down but the Boston front line were consistently too slow to capitalise and the home defence dealt with any problems, leaving Matthew Gilks a spectator in goal.

With the half drawing to a close Rochdale grabbed the goal that their play had deserved. Boston gave the ball away cheaply and Rundle held it up well before feeding Dagnall, whose low cross was only half cleared and Gary Jones stole in to side foot the ball into the corner.

Rochdale needed to secure the win in the second half by scoring a second goal but they made a sloppy start as Boston enjoyed their only spell of pressure in the game but still Gilks was not tested until he had to turn Drewe Broughton’s speculative long range effort over the bar.

That was the closest Boston came before Rochdale awoke and joined in the second half by putting the visitors to the sword with three goals in fifteen minutes. By reproducing their first half football they were rewarded with what was undoubtedly their best spell of the season. The second goal settled any nerves, Chris Dagnall pouncing emphatically on another attempted clearance that failed to clear the Boston area.

Mocquet sealed his performance with a goal but it came in somewhat unlikely circumstances. The Frenchman, not known for his aerial ability, was left completely unmarked from an Adam Rundle corner, his team’s twelfth, and he headed home emphatically.

Glenn Murray completed the rout with a neatly and much deserved goal after another performance full of hard work. Boston’s defending for the goal was comical as their backline had finally subsided in somewhat spectacular fashion under the barrage of Dale pressure. Dagnall was allowed to collect the ball from a throw-in, turn unchallenged, and feed Murray who was then allowed to almost walk past Paul Ellender and slot the ball around Marriott and into the net.

Both Rundle and Mocquet were substituted with the game over as a contest and they both left the field to standing ovations from every Rochdale supporter in the ground. The fans had been crying for wingers, especially at home, throughout the season as Steve Parkin often refused to use them. He signed Mocquet but used him sparingly whilst Rundle looked to be a million miles away from the starting eleven during Parkin’s final games at the club.

It has taken Keith Hill three games to get it right, but in fairness his team selection and tactics almost worked at Milton Keynes, his team showed tremendous spirit to come back from two goals down against Wrexham, whilst the inclusion of the two wingers against Boston gave Rochdale the class to push the opposition comfortably aside. Boston were poor but Rochdale made them look particularly so; other Rochdale teams this season might not even have managed to win, never mind win so convincingly.

Man of the Match
William Mocquet – Not since Patrick McCourt’s displays on the wing have Dale fans had the pleasure of seeing a performance like this, dummies, step-overs and excellent touches. From his first touch they were in for a treat, unlike marker Canoville who had a torrid afternoon. The goal capped a tremendous display and a standing ovation from everyone in the ground was no more than he deserved.

Attendance: 2159

Rochdale: Gilks, Ramsden, Goodall, Stanton, McArdle, Jones, Doolan (Crooks 72), Rundle (Brown 84), Mocquet (Thompson 77), Dagnall, Murray.

Subs not used: Rigby, Warburton.

Boston: Marriott, Clarke, Ellender, Miller, Canoville, Rowson, Greaves (Holland 76), Kennedy (Galbraith 43), Elding, Broughton, N’Guessan (Maylett 56).

Subs not used: Green, Stevens.

Attempts (on target): Rochdale 14 (8) Boston 6 (2)
Free kicks: Rochdale 13 Boston 20
Offside: Rochdale 7 Boston 5
Corners: Rochdale 12 Boston 4

Referee: R Booth