Rochdale continued their impressive
run of form with a resounding thumping of local rivals
Chester City. Dale were back to full strength after the
previous game at home to Preston but, manager Mark
Woodall chose to keep the faith with the same team that
played so well in that fixture with the only change
being made upfront where Woodall was brought back in to
replace the absent Joe Green.
With the injured Crossley again
marshalling from the sidelines, Rochdale took a while to
get into their stride as the Chester side, captained a
remarkable Paul Veevers lookalike, tried to avenge the
hammering handed to them by Rochdale earlier in the
season. However, Rochdale soon took the initiative with
Rob Flitcroft adding the first before Liam Ratcliffe
added to his already impressive seasonal tally to make
it 2-0. Dale managed to waste some good chances with
Woodall apparently getting the ball stuck under his feet
when though on goal. Harwood had a shot well saved after
a flowing move saw him free just inside the penalty area
but Rochdale had already assumed control and went in at
the break 2-0 to the good.
The second half saw Rochdale play
some wonderful football including an exquisite move that
led to Ratcliffe notching his first hat-trick for the
club; he was to end up with four goals after a brilliant
flick over the keeper’s head after a Milnes thrown-in.
Woodall had the ball played up into feet and in a
sweeping motion, turned the ball round the hapless
defender to release Ratcliffe who finished clinically.
The introduction of the Veevers
brothers and Heeley did not unsettle the Dale and fellow
sub Jon Hudson felt unlucky to have his effort ruled out
for off-side with what was almost his first touch.
Further goals were added by Hindle, Veevers and Ryan
Higginbotham who showed that he can add goals to his
already superb all round game by placing a wonderful
strike into the top corner.
The final score finished 8-0 and
Rochdale can look forward to a second round cup game
with the draw yet to be made. Rochdale will come up
against much stronger opposition this season and that
test will begin with a trip to Rotherham next weekend in
what is a debut meeting between the sides in the IFA.
|
Squad |
|
GK - Jon Coluccio |
|
RB - Chris
Finn |
|
LB - Phil
Woodall |
|
CB - Craig
Milnes |
|
CB - Kenny
Hindle |
|
RM -
Luke Lloyd |
|
LM -
Jan Harwood |
|
CM -
Ryan Higginbotham |
|
CM -
Rob Flitcroft |
|
F -
Mark Woodall |
|
F - Liam Ratcliffe |
|
Substitutes |
|
David Veevers |
|
Jon Hudson |
|
Paul Veevers |
|
David Heeley |
