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Bury 1 Rochdale 3 |
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28/01/2006 |
Rochdale came
into the fixture buoyant after last week’s rousing display at Mansfield but
started the game tentatively against a strong and fluent Bury side. Rochdale
fielded the same team that had started at Mansfield except Andy Lorimer who was
unavailable due to media commitments. Milnes moved into the centre which meant a
start for new addition Lee ‘Bullet’ Woodhouse wide on the right.
Bury started the game well with plenty of possession but were limited to
speculative efforts at goal by the resolute Rochdale rear guard. Rochdale seemed
nervous, struggling to retain the ball and had Jon Buffon to thank for keeping
out what Bury efforts found the target. Bury forward Bez was causing the
problems with his direct style but was well marshalled by Dutton and Irving,
while Harwood and Woodhouse tried to get Rochdale into their own groove
attacking the Bury full backs.
Rochdale did however take the lead midway through the first half. Paul Veevers,
having brought the ball down, turned his man and dinked a through ball over the
Bury defence for Kaminskas to beat the offside trap and lob the advancing Gigg
Keeper. The goal really settled the away side who began to stamp authority on
the game and should have doubled the lead moments later when M. Woodall found
himself with the goal at his mercy having rounded the keeper. Unfortunately,
BobbleGate returned as Woodall pulled the trigger and he shinned his effort wide
of the mark. Bury continued to have plenty of the ball without causing too much
distress. Both midfield and defence worked well in shutting down the Bury attack
and Dale keeper Buffon made a great save to keep out a effort bound for the top
corner.
Half Time 0-1.
Rochdale made a
couple of changes at the break, replacing Harcombe with Hindle and Woodall with
Lloyd. Rochdale seemed to settle into their stride quicker in the second half
and began to dominate the game for long periods. Bury continued to look
sprightly but never really troubled Dale’s defence. Rochdale however began to
get more and more fluid. Kaminskas and Lloyd exposed the Bury defence time and
time again with pace and skill, which seemed to rattle the home side who became
increasingly frustrated . It was an attack down the left which ultimately led to
the second goal. Lloyd took on and beat his man before cutting into the box. He
fired a shot across the bow which was picked up by Kaminskas who’s close control
and balance was too much for the Gigg defended who subsequently hauled him to
the ground. Man in black Molloy had no hesitation, Penalty! Up stepped Milnes,
the rest a formality. 0-2.
Having got the cushion of a two goal lead, Rochdale switched into professional
mode with Milnes sitting in front of the back four allowing Veevers, Harwood and
substitute Evans, the freedom to play in front of a disciplined Dale defence.
Bury, symptomatic of what had ensued for the most part, had plenty of the ball
but couldn’t do anything productive with it. Crossley and Irving nodding away
cute balls dinked into their box, seemed to have everything under control.
D.Veevers, on for the hard working Dutton even sought to take on the Bury
defence in a Carlos style, Roberto that is, not Santana.
Rochdale were dominating until Bury got themselves a lifeline in a quite
fortuitous manner. Having restricted Bury to long efforts, it seemed another
long range shot would be easily dealt with. Unfortunately, it clipped a Dale
defended on its way through sending the sidewinder off course and into the net.
Buffon had been outstanding and you can not really blame him for the goal. We
will do though.
Bury now found
themselves back in the game and made a real go if it putting Dale under some
considerable pressure. Bury threatened with a series of corners but Dale managed
to get most clear with little fuss. Bury’s chance at a glorious comeback came
from one of these cleared corners with 3 minutes left. A typical driven shot
from the edge of the area was sent in by a Bury midfield player but the shot was
well saved by Buffon but he was unable to hold onto the ball. With the ball just
sat in no man’s land in front of goal, Craig Milnes raced in to clear as the
Bury player was just about to riffle in the equalizer. Rochdale made the win
safe in stoppage time from only their second corner. Veevers looked to be just
heading the ball back into the danger area but in looping it up, deceived all
the Gigg defenders into thinking it was going over only for it to drop into the
net at the far post. Delightful!!
Full Time 1-3
At the whistle, Dale were delighted to have got the win against a good and
confident Bury side. Bury will feel they should have got more but in truth,
never really had anything to show for their possession and ultimately, it’s a
game of chances and Rochdale created more and took the ones that mattered. On
the road for Dale next week with an early start down to Oxford. Can they keep
this tremendous run going??
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Player Ratings |
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Jon Buffon |
Held most
things and made some good saves, unlucky with the goal but we will blame
him anyway. 7/10 for soap gloves!! |
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James
Harcombe |
Unlucky to
be taken off at half time and dealt pretty well with the winger. Brimful
did ok. |
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Damien
Dutton |
Up against
a tough opponent in the first half but did really well. Steady game for
Damo. |
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Simon
Irving |
Dealt with
everything and looked comfortable. Only a couple of scary moments. |
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Steve
Crossley |
See Above!! |
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Jan Harwood |
My MOM.
Played super and looked to get the ball down and start playing, even
during nervous first 20 mins. Great flick header when tracking the winger
in first half too. |
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Paul
Veevers |
Creative
display from ZiVeevers. Set up first goal and scored the third. Couple of
wayward passes in the first half. Blame it on the boots. |
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Craig
Milnes |
Put penalty
away with ease and super tackle to save goal right at the death. Booked
for 4th lunge! |
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Lee
Woodhouse |
Good game
for the Bullet. Looked to set up things and was busy. Looked to link up
with the forwards. |
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Mark
Woodall |
Shocking
miss in front of goal but did plenty of running for the cause. Subbed by
himself at HT. |
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Anthony
Kaminskas |
Great
finish for first goal and was hauled down for the pen. Good skills and
kept Bury defenders busy. |
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| Substitutes |
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Dave
Veevers - Did simple things well. Carlos style burst forward in second
half nearly suffered a nosebleed. |
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Kenny
Hindle - Did well second half as bury pressured. No problems for the glove
wearing pony. |
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Luke Evans
- See above in the Glove wearing pony jibe! |
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Luke Lloyd
- Looked to take on the Bury defence and was thankfully, not wearing
gloves. |
