Rochdale 1 - 0 Notts County
Date published: 16 March 2011
Craig Dawson scored the only goal of the game inside the first 60 seconds of the restart to end a three game losing streak for Keith Hill’s side. Owain Fon Williams pulled off 2 great saves to deny The Magpies as Dale moved upto 11th in League One.
Hill made two changes to the side that lost to Exeter on Saturday. Robbie Williams made his debut as Joe Widdowson was ill whilst Nicky Adams replaced Will Atkinson who dropped to the bench. Such is the size of Hill's squad, assistant manager David Flitcroft was named amongst the substitutes.
The visitors arrived at Spotland on the back a 1-0 win at Hillsborough at the weekend whilst Dale had lost the last 3 but the nervousness around Spotland wasn’t helped when the usually reliable Craig Dawson gave away a needless corner inside 90 seconds. The Magpies skipper Mike Edwards met the flag kick but his diving header went over.
Rochdale had played some good football in the 3 previous games and started to get their passing game going after 10 minutes in this clash. Tenacious play from Gary Jones saw his centre cleared by the County defence but the respite didn’t last and when Wiseman whipped in a delightful right wing cross, Dickinson saw his looping header drop wide with Nelson in the County goal scurrying to his right.
Chris O’Grady fired a warning blast when he shot over when well placed but it was the visitors who created the best chance of a fairly dull opening 45 minutes. Kevin MacDonald intercepted a cross field Dale pass and headed towards goal. He pulled a great ball across the goal mouth for Niogo Demba-Nyren, who, with the goal gaping, conspired to miss from 3 yards out by forcing the ball across the face of goal and wide. That let off seemed to inspire Dale and they came close to a goal when Jason Kennedy didn’t give up on a mis-placed Dawson header from a corner. He managed to dispossess the defender before crossing to O’Grady who’s turn and shot found Kennedy in return but his half volley grazed the bar and over.
The second half was barely underway when Dale took the lead through Dawson. A Nicky Adams corner towards the back post was powered home by the head of the defender for his 6th of the season.
Almost immediately Paul Ince’s men could have been level but for man of the match Fon Williams. Ivan Sproule’s side footed effort was matched by the Dale stopper whilst Gow’s free kick evaded everybody inside the Dale area.
Rochdale skipper Gary Jones almost added to his seasons tally when Robbie Williams scuffed a shot which was turned into the area by O’Grady and Jones’ volley brought a fine stop low down to his left by Nelson.
The visitors were looking for a way back into the game as the game approached the hour. Alan Gow missed the target from 16 yards whilst Demba-Nyren almost made amends for his earlier miss but Fon Williams got his fingertips to his powerful header with Robbie Williams on hand to smash the loose ball away. Moments later Sproule again tested the Dale stopper when he cut inside but saw his 20 yard dipping effort tipped away.
As the clock ticked down, Ince threw on former Manchester United youngster Fabian Brandy but the pacey front man couldn’t force an equaliser.
It was a welcome 3 points for Keith Hill after 3 straight losses and it’s a result that will give his side confidence ahead of the long trip to Plymouth on Saturday.
The Dale boss spoke after the game: “It was an ugly game but it can only be ugly on that pitch. We can’t play football how we want to play it so we have to adapt.
“I’m pleased with the result, I’m pleased with the bravery the lads showed and I’m pleased with the supporters who tried to get the atmosphere going for a change.
“It’s a great win that takes us closer to where we want to be and we have taken advantage of one of our games in hand. We want to try and get as many points on the board as we can and that win takes us closer to what you would expect to keep you in this division which I suppose was our remit at the beginning of the season but that’s boring when you’re not competing for anything.
“Craig scored again but apart from him and Gary Jones, we need the other players to step up to the mark. Joe (Widdowson) was ill so Robbie came in and was excellent”
Rochdale: Fon Williams, Wiseman, Holness, Dawson, R Williams, Jones (c), Kennedy, Barry-Murphy, O'Grady, Adams (Atkinson 72), Dickinson (Akpa-Akpro 52),
Subs (not used): Edwards, Done, Thompson, Gray, Flitcroft
Notts County: Nelson, Darby, Edwards (c), Lee, Bishop, Mac Donald, Gow, Harley, Sproule, Demba-Nyren (Chilvers 92), Clifford (Brandy (82).
Subs (not used): Burch, Spicer, Sodje, Martin, Langley
Referee: Graham Salisbury
Assitant Refs: RM Clark & J Simpson
4th Official: M Bristow
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