Rochdale 3 Grimsby 0

18/02/2006

 

Written By:  Anthony Kaminskas

 

Another solid display from the IFA League's form team ensured a lacklustre Grimsby side left the Stadio delli Balderstone with their tails firmly between their legs. The home side battled hard in their new surroundings, forced upon them by violence on the terraces at San Heywood, with a starting eleven consisting of two newcomers who were unable to train with the squad prior to this encounter. It was with this violence in mind and also their growing number of supporters in China, not that the pitch was already booked in the morning, that the club decided that a 12noon kick-off was more appropriate for today's game. The new boys were Ryan Higginbotham in goal and Martin James in midfield and their task was to patch up the gaping holes in the team left by Steven Crossley, apparently nailing a Yank in the Lake District, Lee Woodhouse (ankle) and brothers Paul and David Veevers as well as goalkeeper John Coluccio who were on a stag do in Barcelona, much to the annoyance of first-team manager and Rochdale target (30,000/1 at Coral) Mark Woodall. 

 

Grimsby, who came into this game on a three-match unbeaten record which had seen them beat both Mansfield (1-0) and Peterborough (4-1) with a solid point also gained at Sheffield United (2-2), started the brighter as Dale failed to find their rhythm on the unfamiliar playing surface.  Three of the home sides absentees form the spine of the team and without them Woodall's men were looking a shadow of their former self.

 

It took until the 10th minute for Rochdale to finally impose themselves on the tie with Milne and James linking well to impose themselves on the opposition midfield which this reporter believes consisted of Alan Brazil and A. Another!  This was a big game for Milnes, without his sparring partner Veevers and playing against the well-known Brazil, but the man who isn't even a household name in his own house performed creditably throughout.  The first chance of the game fell to top scorer Anthony Kaminskas, whose injury may be linked to increased nocturnal activities of late, but his placed shot, supplied by Jan Harwood and James, could only force a corner which resulted in nothing.  It was also the unfortunately nicknamed 'Mido' that supplied a delicate pass to Lloyd after decent hold up play, the result being the latter's drive was held by the opposition goalkeeper.

 

The home side were now in charge of proceedings, contolling the pace of the game and dominating possession.  A flurry of chances arrived for Harwood, James, Craig Milnes and Luke Lloyd, but all were unable to break the deadlock.  New boy James in particular, signed on deadline day for 20 Benson & Hedges from Retirement FC, was rewarding the faith shown in him by his manager and was unlucky not to score with a header from a Lloyd cross which flashed just over with the keeper stranded.  He didn't have to wait long for a goal on his debut though.  A long punt forward from Milnes was challenged for by Kaminskas and Grimsby's big number 5.  Both failed to make contact with the ball and only succeeded in jumping into each other before the loose ball fell invitingly for James who drove it hard and low inside the left-hand post. 

 

Dale now had the advantage but the challenge that led to the goal forced them into a temporary substitution.  With blood gushing from his right nostril Kaminskas was ordered to leave the field of play, change his shirt and wait for the blood to stop running by the match referee.  This allowed new boy Troy Walsh, recommended to Woodall in the week by an anonymous super-agent with connections in Eastern Europe, to enter the arena much quicker than expected.  It took a full 10 minutes for Kaminskas to re-emerge from the tunnel but although in the time he was away the home side had failed to offer much going forward, this had little to do with his absence.  Grimsby had decided to up their pace and had begun harrying the Dale midfield whenever they had the ball.  This suited Milnes more than most as he offered a number of tasty challenges in return, as is his trademark.  One Grimsby forward in particular looked a very decent player and his consistent drifting from right to left to receive the ball ensured Phil Woodall and James Harcombe would have a busy afternoon ahead.

 

Before the break FC Supporters of Rochdale had a couple more chances to extend their lead but were denied by the The Fishy People's number one.

 

HALF-TIME     =     1-0

 

The second half began very much in the same vein as the first as Dale continued to dominate, their amount of possession and number of chances in particular being a highlight.  However, Grimsby's talented forward and Rochdale's insistence on attacking without a holding midfielder almost cost them dearly.  Quick counter-attacks were ensuring Grimsby could still find a way back into the game and if it wasn't for some excellent saves by new goalkeeper Ryan Unknown, Rochdale would easily have been well and truly knocked off their perch and nursing a first defeat in seven months.  It cannot be emphasised how well the new lad performed and he looks a steal at only a '10 bag' off local side Dealer's FC who are based in the Littleborough area.

 

Top scorer Kaminskas was having an off-day due to injury and was even playing with beautiful pink toilet paper up his nose to stop the bleeding.  Any more blood on his replaced shirt would have resulted in him having to remove it and find another.  Due to the fact the club only have 12 anyway would have meant the referee having to back down with his rules or Dale carrying on with only 10 men.  This dire situation highlights Dale's need for a new kit, and with an offical application for a grant made to the Supporters Trust only last week, hopefully the situation will soon be rectified.    

 

On 62 minutes the home side were awarded a penalty much to the frustration of the opposition who felt Leeds University's Harwood had hit the deck all too easily.  Harwood picked himself up with a smile on his face that celebrated a piece of acting twin brother McCauley Culkin would have been proud of, and left Milnes to dispatch his fourth penalty in four games.  Greater Manchester Police later released a statement regarding the incident and concluded that 'reports siting a puff of smoke from the grassy knoll to the left of the playing surface on the hour mark had proved inconclusive.'

 

Sandwiched in between the introduction of Damien Dutton for P. Woodall and the re-introduction of Walsh, this time at right-back for Harcombe, were further opportunities for Kaminskas, Woodall, and James.  Woodall fired just wide from 18 yards, as did James but the poorest shot of the game came from Kaminskas who was lacklustre to say the least.  Fellow strike partner Woodall squared the ball across the box to the home side's top scorer but his dismal effort had the pigeons resting on the floodlights darting for cover when on a day with two functioning hamstrings the ball would almost certainly have hit the back of the onion bag.

 

There was still time for this reporters man-of-the-match to get on the scoresheet.  The foundations of the goal were almost a carbon copy of the opener.  Another searching ball from Milnes saw an under-pressure Kaminskas and Grimsby centre-half fail to make contact with the ball, but this was anticipated by Lloyd who showed immense bravery when confronted by the onrushing keeper to nod Dale further ahead.

 

FULL-TIME     =     3-0

 

FC Supporters of Rochdale face Cheltenham Supporters next Saturday morning, in a game that will not count towards the IFA League table.  The timely return of both Veevi, Crossley and regular goalkeeper Jon Coluccio is countered by the absence of Lee Woodhouse (ankle), top scorer Anthony Kaminskas (work commitments) and Troy Walsh (poor bastard).

 

 

Player Ratings
Block capitals indicate Man Of The Match
GK - Ryan Higginbotham (8)	Excellent performance from the new signing on his debut.  Still to be seen whether he will ever take the number 1 jersey from regular shot stopper Coluccio, but a major factor will undoubtaedly be reliability in general as well as reliability between the sticks, and Coluccio possesses both.
DR - James Harcombe (6)	Tough game for James who had a very good game the week before against table topping Preston.  Will be under increased pressure should Hindle and new signings Woodhouse and Walsh take an interest in the right-back slot.
DL - Phil Woodall (7)	Only real challenger to his starting place in terms of ability will be Walsh and maybe Dutton. His all-round game and  incredible ability to win numerous headers for such a small guy makes him one of the first names on the team sheet on current form.
DC - Simon Irving (7)	The only thing that hampers the big man is his eyesight.  An awesome defender.  Consistent in the air and strong in the tackle.  Could and should be playing at a higher level if his optician ever sorts his bloody eyes out.
DC - Kenny Hindle (7)	Another great game from King Kenny which builds on his towering performance against Preston last week.  Should he travel to Cheltenham next week he will certainly give his manager some selection problems as Crossley also returns.  Should remain in the team on current form but at the expense of who?
MR - LUKE LLOYD (9)	Great game from Luke whose performances have definitely improved on last season.  Has made the right-wing slot his own and although his commitment to the cause was questioned after a no-show (without a good reason) at Oxford, he remains vital to the teams push for glory.
ML - Jan Harwood (6)	Was a tough decision to give Jan a 6 as he didn't do much wrong and also won a penalty.  Has the ability to do better and will probably be disappointed with his contribution when attempting to assist goals as has more ability than shown here.  Possibly pining for a Peake esq. central midfield role?
MC - Craig Milnes (8)	Although not captain in the absence of Veevers and Crossley this reporter believes he should of been.  Commitment to the side is unquestionable and is no doubt a leader who could take the team into battle.  Another goal and another great showing in the centre although fitness a question mark.
MC - Martin James (8)	New signing and an old head in midfield who allowed Milnes to push forward.  Scored a goal on his 05/06 debut and assisted numerous opportunities throughout the afternoon.  Looked comfortable on the ball and worked well as the chalk to Milnes' cheese.
SC - Mark Woodall (6)	Not his best game of the season.  To be fair he didn't have that many opportunities in the game and didn't really do much wrong.  Still 3rd top scorer and may have unearthed some gems at this level with the signings of Walsh and Woodhouse.  Marshalled well by the opposition.
SC - Anthony Kaminskas (6)	Probably the big man's poorest performance of the season.  Hampered by injured hamstring and burst nose in first-half but no excuse for nearly hitting the floodlights when he should really have hit the target.  Unavailable next Saturday and will be interesting to see if he will be missed against a Cheltenham side nobody knows anything about.
Substitutes
DR - Troy Walsh (7)	Great performance by Troy when he entered the field of play in his favourite position.  Excellent on the ball and attacked well with the flair of a young Javier Zanetti.  Can play right and left-back and may prove indispensable should he remain in the squad.  Need to ring him about next week Mark.
DL - Damien Dutton (6)	Not much time to impress but did everything he had to and not one player got past him in the time he was on.  This reporter remembers him embarking on a menacing run down the left after dispossessing an opponent.
Subs not used - Jon Hudson, Mark Butterworth