Colchester United 0-0 Rochdale

Rochdale extended their unbeaten run to 3 games as they left Colchester with a well deserved point. Michael Symes had the pick of the Dale chances after being denied by Ben Williams in the U’s goal and firing horribly wide when well placed.

John Coleman named an unchanged side from which drew at League leaders Charlton on Tuesday.

The first half was a non event really as far as Dale were concerned with the home side creating the best of the few chances on show. Home debutant Freddie Sears fired over after a stray Kennedy pass whilst Gillespie’s dipping volley was comfortable for Kurucz.

The best chance of the half fell to the home side on the half hour mark. Good work from Izzet down the right led to time and space for him to cross perfectly for Wordsworth but the midfielder mis-cued from 12 yards with the goal at his mercy.

Kevin Amankwaah was caught in possession on the half way line and when Rowlands raced away it took some good tracking back by the big defender to pressure Rowlands and Kurucz smothered the danger.

Dale came out in the second half looking much sharper. Coleman swapped Jordan for Grimes at the interval with the balance of the side looking much more balanced.

Symes thought he had opened the scoring 5 minutes into the second period when he met Adams’ right wing cross but Williams was in the right place at the right time to block with his feet.

Rochdale were seeing lots of the ball and putting pressure on John Wards side but just couldn’t get the breakthrough.

Stephen Darby saw a cross land on the top of the crossbar whilst Barry-Murphy had a shot deflected.

Symes should have done better with his second chance of the game as we entered the last 10 minutes. The on loan Bournemouth striker was clean through but fired wide with his wrong foot when he had time on his side.

As 4 minutes of stoppage time was shown Williams denied Kennedy with a fine stop. Barry-Murphy’s right wing corner was met by the head of Kennedy and as the 184 travelling Dale fans went to celebrate, the U’s stopper tipped the ball over the bar.

It was a good point for Dale on the road but they need to start picking up points and with 2 home games in the space of 7 days next week, Coleman will be looking to continue this undefeated run.

The Dale boss spoke afterwards: “Ordinarily when you come to Colchester and you leave with a point you’re delighted but its wins we need so I have to say that was 2 points dropped today. This afternoon’s point will only be a good point if we beat Nott’s County on Tuesday. We need the wins as before you know where you are the games are running out. The first save from Symes; I don’t think the keeper knew too much about it and the second chance he had, he should have done better with it. Both teams tried to play football.”

Rochdale: Kurucz, Darby, Amankwaah (Holden 84), Long, Widdowson, Jordan (Grimes 46), Jones (C ), Kennedy, Barry-Murphy, Adams (Tutte 75), Symes

Subs (not used): Lucas, Thompson

Colchester: Williams, Okuonghae, Gillespie, Izzet, Sears, Henderson, Rowlands (Bond 60), Eastman, Wilson, Wordsworth, White

Subs (Not used): Rose, Heath, Odejayi, James

Referee:        Mr D Coote
Ass Referee:    Mr R Whitton & Mr M George
4th Official:    Mr S Artis