Parkin Searches for Cutting Edge

Rochdale 0 Wycombe Wanderers 2

Rochdale manager Steve Parkin will continue his search for a goal scorer this week after his team again drew a blank in a home defeat against an in form Wycombe Wanderers side. Wycombe played like a side that have won their last six matches and they extended that run to seven after a clinical display at Spotland. However, Parkin once more had reason to complain over the performance of the match official, as Peter Walton refused to send off visiting keeper Batista in the first half and then denied Dale a penalty in the second

Rochdale struggled to get into their stride in the first half as they failed to show the confidence and fast paced football that was in evidence in Tuesday night’s win over Grimsby. Wycombe provided considerably tougher opposition and in Tommy Mooney they have one of the best strikers in the division. Mooney set up and scored a beautifully taken first goal for the visitors, who played some excellent first half football against a stagnant opposition.

However, Mooney’s goal came after a major incident at the other end went in favour of Wycombe. A long ball over the top was collected by Morike Sako for Rochdale, and he nudged the ball beyond the onrushing, Ricardo Batista, before being taken out at considerable height by the goalkeeper. With Sako grounded and with the referee reaching into his pocket, the Wycombe bench clearly feared the worst for their keeper, as potential substitute Jamie Young was stripped and ready to come on. They breathed a sigh of relief as Batista was only shown a yellow card.

Parkin commented on the decision after the game: “For me the referee’s decision changed the game. I have never been an advocate of players being sent off but it was a nasty challenge with no intent to go for the ball whatsoever and it was a red card.

“I was told the substitute goalkeeper was stripping off ready to come on because they expected him to go. It changes the game because in the second half he made a couple of good saves that kept Wycombe very much in the game.”

Mooney’s goal came after he laid off a one-two with Kevin Betsy. With the Dale defence static, Mooney received the ball back from Betsy and he finished with aplomb, firing the ball into the top corner beyond Gilks.

Dale were limited to half chances as the visitors continued to play the better football but the home side had a great chance to equalise when the Wycombe defence mistimed an offside trap, which allowed Dagnall to race through on goal following Barker’s through ball. Dagnall failed to show the confidence that Mooney had displayed at the other end and dragged his shot well wide of the post.

Rochdale put their poor first half performance behind them in the second but the referee did not begin the second half as well as the Dale players did; failing to spot a hand ball by Matt Bloomfield in the Wycombe area and then failing to give the home side a clear corner after Dale had built up considerable pressure on the visitors.

Wycombe still had the ability to cause Dale problems on the counter and they should have doubled their lead when Jermaine Easter raced in behind the Dale backline but the opportunity was completely wasted when he fired high and wide, and the better placed Mooney let his partner know exactly what he thought of the attempt.

The home side continued to dominate but they could only carve out half chances and they lacked the final ball and the cutting edge to make their dominance count. Sako failed to convert their best chance, firing a header over the bar after a great ball by substitute Ernie Cooksey.

Dale continued to link up well around the edge of the Wycombe box but they did not look like creating the clear cut chance they needed to bring them level. It proved to be a frustrating second half for the home side, when they were able to shoot they found a goalkeeper who was always equal to their efforts. Alan Goodall’s long range attempt was met by a firm hand by Batista, but should he still have been on the pitch to turn the ball away?

As Dale pushed on in search of the equaliser in stoppage time, Wycombe made sure of their victory. Minutes after being named the man of the match by the sponsors, Nathan Stanton made a dreadful mistake by completely missing his clearance after covering the run of Easter. Easter picked up the ball and raced towards goal, this time he made the most of his supporting colleague, squaring the ball for substitute Jonny Dixon to rifle home.

Wycombe had made the most of their chances whilst Dale had not created anything clear cut at the other end; their lack of cutting edge continuing to haunt them. Tommy Mooney, more than anyone, showed the difference between the two sides. Clinically finishing his one clear chance and proving to be a constant thorn in the Dale defence. However, the debate remains over how influential the decision not to send off the Wycombe keeper was on the final outcome.

Steve Parkin spoke about his side’s improved second half performance but he will continue the search for a loan striker who can put the ball in the back of the net for his side this week.