Rochdale 0–0 Carlisle United

Rochdale gained their second draw in successive home games as they were held to a goalless draw by Carlisle United at Spotland. The Cumbrians goalkeeper was the busier of the two custodians but Steve Eyre’s men were left frustrated after dominating for the majority of the game but unable to break the deadlock.

There was one change to the starting XI as Jason Kennedy made way for Joe Thompson as Eyre switched to a 4-4-2 formation.

From the whistle Dale went on the attack and inside the first minute Joe Thompson looked to repay the managers confidence in picking him in the starting line-up. The former Manchester United trainee skipped down the right flank but his cross towards Nicky Adams inside the area was cut out.

The Dale defence had a shaky moment 2 minutes later when a lofted ball was mis-judged by Trotman but with Holness covering the ball dropped out of play for a goal kick.

James Berrett warmed the hands of Jake Kean in the home goal but the midfielders shot was straight at the keeper.

Steve Eyre’s side started to turn the screw after 10 minutes with Holness’ turn and shot blocked away after a Dale corner and Ashley Grimes glancing a near post header wide from a Tutte centre.

Some of Rochdale’s attacking build up was superb but the final ball into the box was lacking. Adams sent another cross that was partially blocked but fortuitously fell to Jones whose rasping 20 yard drive was deflected and United keeper Collin fumbled the ball around his post.

Throughout the game, the referee made some mystifying decisions that left both sets of players scratching their heads but the majority of poor decisions went against Dale. Akpa-Akpro was booked just after the half hour mark when a Jones clearance from defence was contested by the Frenchman and Cumbrian defender Peter Murphy. With both players feet high, the defender went down as if shot by a sniper and referee Brown cautioned the Dale man.

Eyre’s men perhaps should have taken the lead with 8 minutes left of the half. A raking cross field ball by Darby was partially cleared by the Carlisle defence and the ball dropped to Trotman but the big defender smashed his volley wide when he had time to take a touch.

Dale finished the half much the stronger with Thompson heading over from 8 yards and Jones skimming the bar with a side footed effort after an Akpa-Akpro lay off.

Another strange decision by referee Brown came on the stroke of half time when Tutte made a perfect tackle on the edge of his own area but the official gave a free kick which Murphy flashed wide.

Rochdale came out of the traps for the second period much the quicker. Gary Jones saw a snap shot graze the bar inside 60 seconds of the restart whilst Grimes saw his shot saved by Collin after a quick breakaway by Akpa-Akpro.

The Frenchman was seeing plenty of the ball and seeing plenty of the referee saying ‘non’. Akpa-Akpro used his strength to get around the imposing figure of Lubomir Michalik with the Slovakian seemingly hauling down the Dale man but referee Brown waved play to continue much to the annoyance of the home fans and players alike.

Dale continued to push for the opener with Jones sending a free kick into the Carlisle wall and Adams’ follow up deflect into the hands of the Collin whilst Tutte’s ferocious drive went narrowly wide.

As the game entered the final 15 minutes, Gregg Abbott’s side took control without really testing Kean. Zoko had a shot blocked with the ball spinning just wide in what was the closest the Cumbrians came to breaking the deadlock.

Tutte saw another shot flash wide but the game seemed destined to end scoreless.

After 3 home games in succession, Dale hit the road on Saturday........well briefly as they travel down the A627(M) to take on Oldham at Boundary Park.

Steve Eyre said after the game” “In the end and on the balance of it, I thought it was a fair point. Saturday’s point against Huddersfield was a great point and tonight was fair. We recognised tonight that would probably only score from outside the box. They pressed us right up the pitch and we tried to chain passes together to get through but they didn’t allow us to get into their penalty area too often.

“After a superhuman effort over the past 15 days i thought we looked a little bit leggy and I thought it was difficult for us to get close to goal tonight. We have been working with those 11 players and have probably done over 500 minutes in the last fortnight.

“I can’t talk about the officials. We tell the lads before they go out onto the pitch not to get involved with the referee so I can’t come out here and get involved but I will say that I looked across at the Carlisle bench and they looked as equally frustrated. Thankfully for both teams there was nothing contentious that cost a team a win.

“We like Jason Kennedy and I don’t think he will be out of the side for very long but he needed a rest and Joe has been literally winking at us wanting his chance. Its going to be a long season as we want to compete on 4 fronts including against QPR next week so we need to use all our squad.

“I’ve witnessed an Oldham/Rochdale derby as a spectator but never from this side obviously but we are really looking forward to it. We will recover from today and be ready to compete in that game”

Att:2671

Rochdale: Kean, Widdowson, Holness, Trotman, Darby, Jones (C ), Tutte, Adams, Thompson (Marshall 82), Grimes, Akpa-Akpro

Subs (not used): Lucas, Kennedy, Twaddle, Gray

Carlisle United: Collin, Robson. McGovern, Murphy, Loy (Welsh 59), Thirwell (C ), Taiwo (Curran 87), Zoko, Berrett, Tavernier, Michalik

Subs (not used): Noble, Gillespie, O'Halloran

Referee: Mr M Brown
Ass Referee: Mr G Hilton
Mr P Hodkinson
4th Official: Mr S Oldham