Rochdale SFC welcomed Ayr United to
Heywood Sports Centre for a second round cup clash that
also doubled as an IFA League game. Reports had
suggested that Dale would be in for a tough test from
their Scottish friends and they proved correct.
The game took place in awful
conditions, the wind taking any high ball straight out
of play and the surface itself not ideal for keeping it
on the ground either. The first half was hardly free
flowing and there were few chances for either side. The
visitors had the first real chance of the game but the
shot which was destined for the bottom corner was
magnificently cleared off the line by Kenny Hindle.
Apart from that though there was nothing else to report
in the first 45 minutes.
The half time team talk
concentrated on doing the basics well in such poor
weather conditions and Dale gradually got on top of the
game as much as they could. Both defences still stood
firm though and at one stage it looked as though we
might find out if the game went to extra time or
straight to penalties!
The deadlock was eventually broken though and a
fine goal it was as well. Liam Ratcliffe broke down the
right hand side and crossed the ball over. Rob Flitcroft
was there to meet it on the volley and open the scoring
for the hosts.
Ayr had lots of possession but
didn't really manage to do much with it. With about ten
minutes remaining the game was effectively over. Ryan
Higginbotham was brought down in the box and he brushed
himself off to convert the penalty.
The game petered out much to the
delight of the home side who are now through to the
quarter finals of the IFA Cup for the first time, the
game also adds on another 3 points to the league table
meaning Rochdale have now won their last 15 games which
is a magnificent achievement by anyone’s standards. The
full league record reads: P16 W15 D1 L0.
