Rochdale 0 - 0 Bournemouth

Rochdale 0 - 0 Bournemouth
Shwan Jalal thwarts a late chance for Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro

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A game of two goalkeepers at Spotland saw Rochdale continue their unbeaten run after this goalless draw with Bournemouth. Visiting keeper, Shwan Jalal, denied Joe Thompson on three occasions whilst Josh Lillis thwarted Liam Feeney and Anton Robinson.

Keith Hill made three changes to the side that drew with Leyton Orient on Saturday.

Nicky Adams and Josh Thompson both left the field early at the weekend and both missed out.

Alan Goodall replaced Thompson at full back, with Will Atkinson making his second debut after his latest loan deal from Hull City replacing Adams.

Joe Thompson was the final change, replacing Brian Barry-Murphy, as Keith Hill opted for a 4-4-2 formation.

The visitors arrived at Spotland to play their first game since manager Eddie Howe departed Dean Court to take over the reins at Burnley with players Lee Bradbury and Steve Fletcher given the caretaker roles.

They started fairly brightly but the first real attempt at goal come until the 11th minute when a deep cross from the left was cushioned back across goal by Liam Feeney but Danny Ings stooping header was wide.

Ings again had the opportunity to break the deadlock when the dangerous full back Adam Smith raced forward and squared but Ings scuffed his shot.

Those two quick fire efforts shook Hill’s side into action but Dale captain Gary Jones’ drive was wide.

The best chance of the half fell to Rochdale when a long punt up field by Lillis in the Dale goal was flicked on by Dickinson and Joe Thompson had gambled well and gained a yard on the defender but his left footed effort lacked power and Jalal pushed wide.

Rochdale’s Craig Dawson was finding his range with his raking long passes. One such ball picked out Dickinson but his header went wide when he should have done better.

The game was really beginning to open up as both sides played with energy.

Former Dale target Marc Pugh tested Lillis with a low shot but the Dale stopper stuck out a leg and diverted the ball over the bar.

Dickinson, who impressed in his full debut at the weekend, was seeing plenty of the ball and almost opened his Dale account on the half hour mark. He picked up a pass in midfield and turned towards goal but saw his effort just over.

Just seconds later it was O’Grady’s turn and when he powerfully barged Smith out of his way, the big striker unleashed a low shot that Jalal did well to hold.

With the clock running down to the interval, Bournemouth went close when Feeney went on a fine run, but after his dipping shot was spilled by Lillis, the goal keeper was quick to react and pounced on the loose ball.

The second half started as brightly as the first had finished and Bournemouth tried to force the issue early on.

Liam Feeney went on a strong run down the right and then cut in across the face of the Dale area. Unable to stop him, the Dale defence could only watch as he headed into the area but Lillis was equal to his shot and pushed it wide.

With both goalkeepers looking unbeatable, Lillis was again called into action with a stunning reaction save. Feeney laid the ball across the edge of the area where Anton Robinson hit a thunderous first time effort that the Dale keeper superbly pushed away.
The visitors were applying real pressure Dale but they stood up to the task, keeping Bournemouth at arm’s length.

Liam Dickinson was strong down the right flank and fed Thompson inside the area but Jalal stood up to the shot to beat it away and Thompson's second effort was hooked away by the defence.

With the home faithful still finding their seats after thinking they had broke the deadlock, Bournemouth used the counter attack well but Pugh couldn’t hit the target when well placed.

The Bournemouth caretaker management team were out of their technical area moments later when Pugh went to ground inside the Dale area but Goodall’s shoulder charge was legal and the referee waved away the penalty claims.

A smart corner by Bournemouth almost saw them take the lead. The ball was played low to the edge of the area where Feeney steered the ball across to Ings but his shot was just off target, although Bartley, on the post, almost diverted the ball into the net.

Keith Hill made a couple of changes as he looked to inject some fresh energy into his sides play. Jean Louis Akpa-Akpro and Matt Done were brought on to replace Atkinson and Dickinson, with the fresh legs of the duo causing Bournemouth problems.

Akpa-Akpro saw his run and shot blocked, whilst done Done down the left worked a couple of good openings.

O’Grady capitalised on a slip by visiting captain Pearce on the half way line before slotting in Akpa-Akpro, but the Frenchman’s first touch allowed Jalal to block and Jones’ follow up was also blocked.

With just nine minutes left on the clock Hill’s men almost snatched the three points when Thompson met a Done corner but his near post volley was smartly saved by Jalal.
Keith Hill said: “0-0 was probably a fair result, I think it would have been harsh for any team to come out of that game with nothing.

"I thought it was two very good sides, very competitive and nobody gave up on the opportunities to try and win.

"I thought it was an excellent game to watch, in my opinion, two very good sides.

"That’s the type of game I like to see.

"I know there were no goals which was scant reward for some of the attacking opportunities that were created for both sides.

"We had good chances, they had good chances but we saw two excellent goalkeepers on display.

"I was really, really pleased with the performance and I’m happy to take a point as I think it would have been unfair on Bournemouth to go home with nothing.

"I don’t begrudge both sides taking a point from the games as I felt we went toe-to-toe, we edged the first half, they edged the second.

"The lads I brought in were excellent but they have to get up to match speed and Will Atkinson has got to get up to Rochdale speed. I know it’s different at other clubs but he isn’t quite up to what we require fitness wise; but he will get there.

"Joe Thompson doubts himself at times and he gets a little bit of stick, which he shouldn’t do in my opinion because he knows his function for the team.

"We asked for honesty out in the wide areas of the pitch and those two players did what we asked.

"Alan (Goodall) did really well against Pughy (Marc Pugh, Bournemouth) who at this level is a really good player. His (Goodall’s) distribution was excellent; his defending has never been in question.

"We are really low on numbers and I’ve had a good chat with the chairman before he jets off to Florida, so hopefully we can get some players in, but if we can’t then we will just go with what we have got.

"We will have Scott Wiseman back for the weekend after his suspension and we will hopefully have Nicky Adams and Josh Thompson too.

"I’ve got a few irons in the fire regarding the goalkeeper but Josh Lillis is on a 24 hour recall so every day is a nervous one. We are looking at bringing in a permanent keeper to bed him in alongside Josh. Josh knows we are looking for a keeper as he knows he cannot be here until the end of the season.”

Rochdale 0–0 Bournemouth

Att: 2312

Rochdale: Lillis, Goodall, Holness, Dawson, Widdowson, Joe Thompson, Atkinson (Done 64 , Dickinson (Akpa-Akpro 69), Jones (c), Kennedy, O'Grady
Subs (not used): Edwards, Flynn, Barry-Murphy

Bournemouth: Jalal, Pearce (c), Bartley, Robinson, Wiggins, Pugh, Feeney, Ings (Symes 73), Cooper, Hollands, Smith
Subs (not used):Stewart, Fletcher, Purches, Arter, Cummings, Partington

Referee: Mr Rob Shoebridge
Assistant Referees: Mr M A Astley & Mr R Atkin
Fourth official: Mr S A Oldham