Rochdale 2 - 3 Carlisle United

Rochdale 2 - 3 Carlisle United
Fon Williams dives but can't stop Carlisle's equaliser

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Rochdale's play off push was dented as Carlisle United left Spotland with the points after they edged a 5 goal thriller.

Marcus Holness put through his own net to give the visitors the lead but goals either side of the interval gave Dale the lead. The Cumbrians drew level through Liam Noble’s stunning drive and won it when Owain Fon Williams misjudged Matty Robsons 25 yard free kick.

Joe Thompson regained his starting berth at the expense of Will Atkinson whilst an injury to Robbie Williams meant a recall for Joe Widdowson at left back as Keith Hill’s men looked to push for the play offs.

Carlisle arrived at Spotland with their season virtually over sitting comfortably in mid table and were able to play freedom football on a warm, sunny day. Simek’s long throw was to cause Dale problems all game and he stated his intent inside 3 minutes. The full back launched the ball deep into the Dale area with Curran heading goalwards but Fon Williams caught.

Rochdale’s position in the league meant all the pressure was on the home side and nerves began to show when Holness pass from the back was intercepted by Berrett but his shot lacked pace.

With the visitors starting the brighter, Dale needed to push forward to relieve some pressure. Joe Thompson saw a looping header go over whilst Thompson turned provider when he picked out Adams but his volley was wayward.

The game was fairly free flowing with both sides taking it in turns to attack. Berrett dragged a shot across goal whilst Adams dwelled too long when he should have crossed and his eventual centre was blocked.

The opening goal came on 25 minutes when Curran’s header came back of the post and in his attempts to clear, Holness diverted the ball into the net for an un-fortunate own goal.

Dale responded to the set back well and went in search of a leveller and only had to wait 5 minutes to be back on terms. Nicky Adams’ free kick from the right of the area was met by Joe Thompson to nod past Collin.

The Cumbrians finished the half the stronger with Noble curling wide whilst Zoko had his chance smothered by the Dale defence.

Whatever Keith Hill said at the interval worked as is side edged in front 4 minutes after the restart. A ball to Joe Thompson on the centre spot was brilliantly turned into the path of Done by the number 15 which sent Done away. The striker cut back onto his left foot and curled the ball beyond Collin into the top corner.

After taking the lead, the home side looked to add to their tally. A long punt upfield by Fon Williams was flicked on by Thompson but O’Grady’s first time effort went just wide.

That chance was to prove costly as moments later the visitors were level, and what a goal it was too. Liam Noble picked up in midfield before unleashing an unstoppable shot from fully 35 yards which drew applause from both sets of supporters.

The visitors drew confidence from Noble’s strike and duly went in front 5 minutes later. Full back Matty Robson’s left footed free kick from 25 yards swerved en-route to goal which caught Fon Williams out and the ball nestled in the back of the net with the Welshman slightly embarrassed.

Again Hill’s men responded well to going behind and O’Grady should have levelled on 71 minutes. The big striker turned 2 defenders just inside the United half which gave him space to head for goal but his shot was blocked by the legs of Collin when one on one.

Gary Jones’ 30 yard free kick went just wide whilst his header flashed over from a Done corner.

Michalik warmed the hands of Fon Williams from 25 yards and Curran’s looping header landed on the roof of the Dale net.

As the clock wore on, Dale pressed but the Cumbrians defence stood strong. Jones screwed wide after good work from Atkinson whilst Wiseman jinked his way into the area and picked out O’Grady but he missed his shot when just 6 yards out.

A second successive defeat for Hill’s men means they are now 3 points behind 6th placed Bournemouth with just 3 games remaining. The playoffs are still within reach but they would have to win all of their remaining games which would include beating Bournemouth at Dean Court on the last day of the season. Even with that series of results, with an inferior goal difference, Dale would have to hope the Cherries dropped points in another of their remaining fixtures.

Keith Hill spoke after the game, he said: “From a manager’s point of view, we have to manage the game better. We have lost the game from a winning situation and that’s very unlike us and I’m deeply disappointed with that. We have been punished for 2 mistakes after the own goal and Owain’s attempts with the free kick. They scored a wonderful goal in between those 2 mistakes.

“It’s a difficult game to asses; it’s a game that earlier in the season we would have won comfortably but the pressures are on us. Decision either cost you or aide you and decisions today have cost us. It gives us a massive mountain to climb for the remainder of the season to lift the player’s confidence and we have to do very quickly with the game on Monday. They scored an unbelievable goal. I give credit to Carlisle for how they played; I’m a big admirer of Gregg (Abbott – Carlisle manager). They won the JP Trophy so we knew it was going to be difficult. We lost that game due to a major mistake and equally, Chris O’Grady missing the one on one is as big a mistake.

“The margin between us and Bournemouth is too big now and I don’t think we can arrest that margin over the next 3 games when you look at the opposition we have got. Monday is a fixture against a club that historically are a successful club. It’s a great stadium too.

“The next 3 games are important for us to start to build for next season. We are going to be a League One team; there is no doubt about that. We have enjoyed the dream and although the dream may not be over, I’m as realistic as the next person. We are now outsiders and if any team can de-rail Bournemouth it will be Exeter. I would have taken a top 10 finish when we started the season but I wouldn’t have taken it 5 games ago. I can’t fault the lads for their efforts. We were there to be shot down today as we were against Colchester and against Brentford whilst Southampton were there to be shot down by us. It’s great to be chasing rather than being chased”


Attendance: 3762

Rochdale: Fon Williams, Wiseman , Dawson, Holness, Widdowson, Joe Thompson,  Jones (c), Kennedy (Atkinson 73), Adams (Akpa-Akpro 73), Done, O'Grady.

Subs (not used): Edwards, Josh Thompson, Barry-Murphy, Gray, Flynn

Carlisle: Collin, Simek, Murphy, Michalik, Robson, Thirwell (c), Taiwo (Loy 88), Zoko (Madden 78), Curran, Noble, Berrett

Subs (not used):Livesey, Gillespie, Bowman, McKenna, Wells

Referee:    Mr SJ Sutton
Assistant Refs:    Mr M Salisbury & Mr DR Street
4th Official:    Mr DK Benton