Preston North End 4 Rochdale 5

11/02/2006

 

The Rochdale supporters team train kept on running as they continued their unbeaten IFA League record with a win away at league leaders Preston. An exciting encounter took place at the Groundio Training Del Preston as both teams played some good football on a superb surface which passed a late pitch inspection due to the cold weather. 

The match was slightly delayed as Dale were still waiting for their keeper to arrive; with the game about to kick off, “Buffon” was sighted in the distance and he scampered across the field to take up his position between the sticks. The visitors were forced into a change from last Saturday’s victorious outfit with Lee Woodhouse out due to injury so Paul Veevers made a welcome return to midfield following his absence last week due to “family commitments.” Veevers’ contribution was vital to Dale’s victory, getting the ball down and finding the strikers whilst keeping tabs of Preston’s best player in the centre of the park. 

Preston had the better of the early possession but failed to convert it into chances and trouble “Buffon” in the Rochdale goal. Stout defending from the defensive partnership of Hindle and Crossley kept the Preston strikers quiet for the majority of the afternoon; Crossley acting as sweeper whilst Hindle got stuck in with some crucial tackles. 

Meanwhile the visitors were getting into the game at the other end as the Rochdale midfield began to get to grips with their opponents. The enterprising play of Veevers and Milne in the centre allowed the wingers to enjoy some space on the flanks, with Luke Lloyd causing particular trouble down the right hand side. Veevers’ vision enabled the first clear cut chance of the morning as he set Kaminskas through on goal, in typical fashion the young “Mido” rounded the keeper and finished the chance but the visitors were denied by a late offside flag from an ageing assistant referee. 

Rochdale did not let the disappointment affect them and duly opened the scoring legitimately minutes later. Again the assist came courtesy of Veevers who released Salford Univeristy Student Kaminskas for a second time and again the young striker did what he does best and coolly finished the chance. 

Kaminskas was enjoying plenty of the ball and Preston defenders were labouring in their attempts to get it off him; Dale’s number 14 (forced to wear the number due to the dire shirt situation at the club) then earned Dale’s second goal by winning a penalty as he was brutally upended; Milnes despatched the spot kick for his third goal in two games.  The visitors now had a cushion and it began to tell as they bossed the game with the Preston team looking shell-shocked. The home side did have some joy down the flanks but Harcombe and P. Woodall were up to the task and they were well supported by the covering wingers.

The visitors then struck a third goal after Harwood had combined with Kaminskas to win a corner. The goal of the game then arrived courtesy of Veevers’ right foot volley from the edge of the box following the half-cleared set piece, giving the Preston keeper no chance. 

Shortly after Preston grabbed themselves a lifeline thanks to a scrappy goal with Crossley appealing that he was fouled in the build-up to no avail. The visitors were determined not to let Preston get back into the game and they restored their three goal advantage when Kaminskas rounded the keeper to score his second. The score remained 4-1 at the break when player/manager M. Woodall brought himself off to see out the Dale victory from the sidelines, Lorimer replacing him up front.

Preston started the half off well having made some changes and the Dale defence came under increased pressure and eventually conceded when the ball fell fortuitously to an onrushing midfielder to finish from close range. The game was becoming stretched and Dale took advantage of the space with Preston pushing forward for an unlikely comeback. Lorimer found Veevers on the right hand side and he broke forward in search of Rochdale’s fifth. He squared the ball to Lloyd and he fortuitously found the net; the ball rebounding off his shin and averting the keepers’ “Weetabix” dive. 

Only disaster could now prevent a Dale victory and it nearly struck in the form of Preston’s Official Sunday League referee extraordinaire. He awarded the home side two controversial penalties after first Veevers’ and then substitute Irvine were adjudged to have felled two of Preston’s attackers who needed no help in going to ground and claiming for spot kicks. The penalties were both scored and all of a sudden Preston were back in the game. However, a professional display from the Dale ensured that Buffon’s goal was not troubled for the remainder; Kaminskas and Veevers holding the ball up well in the corner whilst Harwood put in some good tackles to prevent Preston progress in midfield.

 

Player Ratings
Jon Buffon (GK)	A surprisingly quiet afternoon for Jon given the score line but didn’t do much wrong in a solid display.
James Harcombe (RB)	One of James’ best performances of recent weeks after a particularly solid first half. Struggled a bit in the second on a slippery right hand side.
Phil Woodall (LB)	A quiet afternoon for Phil but he dealt competently with everything that came his way.
Crossley. S (CB)	Typically solid performance from the wannabe yank. Was always on hand to sweep up and deal with the loose balls. Was kind enough to let the Preston forwards out of his pocket after the 90 minutes were up.
Kenny Hindle (CB)	A solid part of the defensive unit. Winning headers and putting in some tough tackles to ensure that Dale saw the game out.
Luke Lloyd (RM)	Another good display from the young right winger who had a lot of joy linking up with Kaminskas down the right hand side and scored Dale’s vital, if flukey, fifth goal.
Paul Veevers (CM)	Man of the Match display from the returning Veevers. Was involved in everything that Dale produced going forward and scored a beauty.
Craig Milnes (CM)	A good display in the centre for Craig with some typical tough tackling and notched the pen to continue his goal scoring streak.
Jan Harwood (LM)	Did his defensive duties well with some good tackles and linked up well with Veevers to ensure the Dale midfield kept its hold on proceedings.
Anthony Kaminskas (CF)	A strong man of the match contender with his two goals, ability to beat defenders and hold onto the ball but we’ve come to expect that from our “Mido”.
Mark Woodall (CF)	Joined his brother in having a fairly quiet afternoon but did nothing wrong in holding the ball and linking with the Dale midfield. Substituted at half time to take care of managerial duties.
Substitutes
Andrew Lorimer (CF) – Sub for M. Woodall	Good second half for Lorimer formed a good partnership with Kaminskas and played his part in Dale’s winner.
Dave Veevers (RB) – Sub for Harcombe	Looked comfortable in a short spell at the end. Did better than his brother in the “I didn’t give a penalty away” stakes.
Damien Dutton (LB) – Sub for P. Woodall	Dealt well with late pressure down the Preston right flank.
Simon Irving (CM) – Sub for C. Milnes	Performed well in an unfamiliar role, Adding to Dale’s defensive midfield unit when they came under pressure.