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Rochdale 4 Fulham
2 |
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29/04/2006 |
Rochdale
Supporters went into this game on a high and full of confidence from the
excellent win and performance against Mansfield last week.
This was
the first ever meeting between the two sides. It was always going to be a hard
fought game with Fulham lying in 8th position in the IFA league and
Rochdale in 10th.
Manager
Mark Woodall was able to name an unchanged side from last week's game. Si
Irving still missing due to cricket comments and Ryan Higginbotham unable to
play because of the knock he took last week.
The game
started with Fulham taking control straight from kick off. Fulham passed the
ball around excellently. The first chance fall to Fulham after a free kick was
crossed into Rochdale box and the Fulham number 9 met the cross and headed the
ball past the diving Coluccio only to see an excellent goal line clearance from
Paul Veevers.
The next
piece of action also came in Rochdale's box. The dale defence failed to clear
the ball from a corner. The ball finished at the feet of one of the Fulham
forwards who was brought down and penalty was given. The forward brushed himself
down and finished low into the bottom corner. 0-1
It took
until about 30 minutes into the game for Rochdale to start playing as a team and
to get a foot hold in the match. A Fulham defender headed the ball past his own
keeper. It was a long thrown by Milnes aiming for Woodall's head. 1-1
The game
now became very open up to half time with both teams having chances to score.
Rochdale's best chance fell to top scorer Kaminskas who could only find the side
netting. Fulham again had a shot cleared off the goal line, this time it was
Harwood to Rochdale's rescue.
Half time
1-1
At half
time Lorimer replaced Harwood and Dave Veevers came on for Dutton.
The second
half started with both teams passing to ball around. Rochdale were now playing
at the level in which they have set themselves over the last few weeks.
Kaminskas
was coming more and more into the game he pick up the ball on the left wing ran
into the box taking on three or four defenders before crossing the ball for
P.Veevers to side foot into the net. 2-1
Once
Rochdale took the lead they looked to be in control of the game. But then
disaster struck on about 60 minutes. Fulham's left-winger pick up the ball, ran
into the box and hit a deflected shot into the net. 2-2. The Fulham player ran
into the goal to collect the ball but Coluccio had the ball in his hands. Both
players started pushing and pulling each other. The Ref decided to yellow card
the Fulham player and red card the Rochdale goalkeeper. Not sure if this was
the correct decision but Rochdale were down to ten men. With the second
goalkeeper Ryan unable to play, this left Milnes to put on the gloves.
Rochdale
shuffled the pack, playing 3 in midfield. This seemed to make Dale play better
because it was all Rochdale and they passed the ball around excellently, working
hard for each other. Rochdale's 3rd goal came from Mark Woodall. He
picked the ball up on the edge of the area went round two and placed the ball
around the keeper into the far corner of the goal. 3-2.
Rochdale
were now in control. Woodall replaced himself to go back to 4 in midfield.
Leaving the hard working Kaminskas up front on his own. More good work by
Kaminskas led to Rochdale's next goal. He was brought down in the box and a
penalty was awarded. With the usually penalty taker now in goal, everyone was
looking round to see who would take it. But Milnes from goal asked the manager
if he could still take the penalty. Woodall agreed, Milnes ran the full length
of the pitch and scored the penalty. 4-2.
This was a
very good and hard fought game and was Rochdale's 10th consecutive
victory.
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Player
Ratings
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GK Jon Coluccio - 5
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Strong performance up to the
moment of madness leading to the red card. |
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RB Philip Woodall - 7
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Solid performance in both full
back positions. |
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LB Damien Dutton - 7
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Good game from this improving
player unlucky to be replaced. |
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CB Steve Crossley - 8
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Solid as a rock like usual. |
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CB Kenny Hindle - 8
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Solid as a rock like usual. |
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CM Paul Veevers - 8
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Another strong performance
great running, passing and well taken goal |
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CM Craig Milnes - 7
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Average game in the centre and
did well in goal. |
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LM Jan Harwood - 7
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Hard Working as always. |
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RM Luke Lloyd - 7
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Full of running helping both
attack and defence. |
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F Mark
Woodall - 8
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Helped with the first goal and
took his goal excellently. |
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F Anthony
Kaminskas - 9
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Worked hard all game, managing
to set up two goals. MOM. |
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Substitutes
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Andrew
Lorimer Replaced Harwood - 7 Worked hard, put in some good tackles.
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Dave Veevers Replaced Dutton -
7 Good performance from another improving player. |
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Jon Hudson Replaced Kaminskas
- 6 Not much time to impress but put in a few good tackles. |
