Merseyside Supporters Tournament 2007
07/05/2007
	Rochdale SFC returned to the Merseyside Supporters Tournament for a second attempt at winning the trophy after last years disappointing semi final defeat to Liverpool. There would be no disappointment this year as they returned home with the trophy and in the process picking up a first piece of silverware for the club. Rochdale were pitted in a group with holders Liverpool, Grimsby and Chester. It appeared a tough group after defeats last year to both Grimsby and Liverpool but confidence was high ahead of the first game against Grimsby. Dale kicked off their campaign playing up the hill and into the wind.

The first half was mainly Dale but the threat of the opposition playing down the hill with balls over the top was always there but it was goalless at half time. In the second half Rochdale made their dominance pay. A superb Anthony Kaminskas free kick from just outside the box was curled over the wall and tipped onto the underside of the bar by the Grimsby keeper. Unfortunately for him it bounced over the line. Grimsby had a few decent chances to equalise but they couldn't take them and were punished late on when Ratcliffe steered home into the bottom right corner from 6 yards.

So Dale had got off to the perfect start with a 2-0 victory over Grimsby and they went into the Chester game looking to secure their place in the semi final. Chris Finn sat this one out due to injury but apart from that the team was unchanged. Dale had victory secured by half time after more goals from Kaminskas and Ratcliffe and a long range lob from Crossley gave them a half time 3 goal lead. With victory certain, Hudson replaced Kaminskas at half time but the team couldn't add to their goals tally with the game ending 3-0.

With Liverpool also on 6 points but Rochdale having a superior goal difference it was the Dale who went into the final group game with Liverpool in pole position in the group. The scenario was this, a Dale win or draw would secure top place in the group with a game against Everton or Motherwell in the semi-finals.

Dale were looking to avenge their defeat to Liverpool last year by beating them this year. Rochdale were well on top in the first half playing down the hill but couldn't take advantage of this. In the second half Liverpool gained control of the game. A long ball over the top caught out the Rochdale defence and as Coluccio decided whether to stay on his line or come out the Liverpool striker lifted it into the goal. As much as Dale tried over the next 10 minutes or so they couldn't find the break through and Liverpool won the game and the group.

This meant that Rochdale were going to face Everton in the semi-final. After a dinner break the teams returned for the much anticipated semi-final stage. In the other semi final Liverpool faced Motherwell. Dale were determined to get further than last year and they started off like a house on fire. A superb volley from the edge of the box by Ryan Higginbotham sailed into the top left corner leaving the Everton goalkeeper with no chance. However the lead didn't last too long with Everton equalising before half time.

The second half was a tense affair for Rochdale as they defended attack after attack from their opposition. The resolute defending was rewarded as they kept everything out although Everton had a golden chance to snatch the win with a free header inside the box but thankfully it went wide. So the game finished 1-1 and it was time for a penalty shoot out.

The order of penalty takers was decided and the teams stood on the halfway line nervously watching on. Everton took the first one and made it 1-0. Regular penalty taker Milnes stepped up and fired his penalty into the bottom left corner to make it 1-1. Everton's second was superbly saved by Coluccio to give Dale the chance to make it 2-1, unfortunately Crossley pulled his penalty wide of the goal. Everton made it 2-1 before Kaminskas casually chipped his penalty down the middle to equalise. Coluccio again saved and Higginbotham game Dale a 3-2 lead with a confident penalty. Everton scored their final spot kick to make it 3-3. Then up stepped Liam Ratcliffe with the chance to secure Dale's place in the final. Unfortunately he sent his kick down the middle and the keeper saved.

So it was onto sudden death with everything to play for. Controversy followed as Everton's 6th penalty hit the underside of the bar and bounced down and out with most of the Everton team surrounding the referee it was decided it hadn't gone in. With nobody really keen to take Dale's 6th penalty goalkeeper Coluccio threw down his gloves and stepped up to the challenge. He sent the keeper the wrong way and Dale were through to the final as Coluccio was mobbed by his team mates.

Rochdale went back to their dressing room and had a long wait for the final. It seemed like forever sat in their and in truth there were some nervous players in there. We hadn't come to lose in the final and the next 30 minutes were the deciding ones. The first half was a close affair and with so much at stake it perhaps wasn't surprising it finished goalless.

Dale scored a vital goal in the second half, Kaminskas volleyed on the turn and the keeper could only push it into the side of the net. At this point you felt that it was to be Rochdale's day, but soon after Liverpool hit back. They scored from a free kick that was nodded in from close range. Nonetheless Dale kept plugging away and with 5 minutes remaining Harwood flicked on a corner at the near post and it somehow found it's way into the net to make it 2-1. This time Dale held on to win the prize they had come for and pick up that first piece of silverware.

It was a victory that comprised of hard work, determination and a team of players that were hurt by last years semi-final exit and wanted to put that right. No team wanted this more than us, thankfully we returned home happy.

Dale captain Steven Crossley is presented with the trophy by tournament organiser Chris Bill

The Squad celebrate with the trophy

Squad

1 - Jon Coluccio

2 - Chris Finn

5 - Simon Irving

6 - Kenny Hindle

3 - Jan Harwood

8 - Craig Milnes

7 - Liam Ratcliffe

4 - Ryan Higginbotham

9 - Anthony Kaminskas

11 - Luke Lloyd

10 - Steve Crossley

14 - Jon Hudson

12 - Joe Green