Rochdale produced a scintillating performance against old
adversaries Mansfield to maintain their splendid form.
Rochdale at full strength, missing only the ‘cricket
playing’ Irving, lined up in typical style and played with confidence and
determination and produced some of the best football of the season. Rochdale
were quickly into their groove and a succession of corners was finally glanced
home by the impressive Harwood. A second soon followed with the ever tricky
Kaminskas winning yet another penalty for Milnes to fire home. 2-0.
Controversy surrounded the award with the ‘Stags’ feeling a little hard done
by but the handball impeded the delicate through ball and the penalty was
given.
Rochdale were assured of themselves throughout the
game and probably played more football on a tricky surface than at any other
time during the year. Kaminskas dropping deep for Veevers and Harwood to
exploit the space he created with his unfamiliar, deep lying role. Mansfield
had little to shout about and rarely even got close to the box such was the
composure shown by the Dale rearguard. Only time the ball found its way
through, the ever loud and dependable Buffon was on hand to clean up.
Half Time: Mansfield 0 - 2 Rochdale
Second half was a different story all together as Dale
produced some fine flowing football and began to torment their opponents with
skill and clinical finishing. A contender for goal of the season was served up
next by the lads with Crossley finding Kaminskas after a neat interception.
Despite the attention of 3 Mansfield defenders, Kaminskas found enough space
to back heel the ball into Crossley who had continued his run. Crossley then
delivered a fine defence splitting pass to Lloyd and he finished the move
smoothly, firing into the far corner. Wild celebrations followed.
Dale then tried to emulate their previous attempt at
‘Total Football’ by setting up another great move but this time, Kaminskas
could only find the side netting.
With a three goal lead, Rochdale played counter attack
for the rest of the half and rattled in another three goals. Kaminskas stabbed
one home, before Veevers turned the defence inside out and struck a sweet shot
into the top corner. Substitute Higginbotham put over some superb crosses and
did some fine harassing of the tired Mansfield defence. Thankfully,
Higginbotham managed to put over a cross for Harwood to slot home before being
cruelly hacked down by the uncompromising Stag number 4.
Stags # 4 did not endear himself to the squad, hacking
down Hudson after he had turned him Boardman esq, hacking down Higginbotham
and having a verbal spat with Dale Keeper Buffon.
Dale produced one of the best performances of the year
and everyone, including subs played their part. The camaraderie in the side is
unrivalled and the squad eagerly awaits its first crack at Silverware, when
they take part in the Merseyside Supporters Tournament, on May 1st.
