Scunthorpe 2 Rochdale 4

23/09/2006

 

Rochdale went into this game with the feeling that it was the first of the season because they had not played for seven weeks.

Manager Mark Woodall was back from his holiday and made a few changes from the side that beat Tranmere. Mark started upfront, leaving Luke Lloyd to go back to right midfield. Steve Crossley was back from America and started in defence leaving Craig Milnes to move the centre Midfield in place of Martin James. 

Rochdale started the game well, passing the ball around nicely and seemed to be in control of the game. After about 15 minutes Rochdale took the lead, Anthony Kaminskas crossed in a corner from the left side straight onto the head of Luke Lloyd, 0-1. 

After the goal Rochdale seemed to lose their shape a little, letting Scunthorpe back into the game. Rochdale’s Keeper and defence were being called into action. Scunthorpe managed to force a couple of corners in quick succession.  Rochdale dealt with the corners very well. From the last corner Rochdale broke away with Steve Crossley running at the Scunthorpe defence. With a couple of quick passes Rochdale found themselves, three on two in the opposing half.   Crossley played an excellent ball to Lloyd, who this time turned provider for Kaminskas to score his 4^th goal in two games. 0-2. 

Rochdale were clearly on top in the game with chances coming and going.  The best chance Rochdale had to increase their lead before half time came from Mark Woodall after good work down the left side from Milnes and Kaminskas.   Milnes crossed the ball into Woodall and with an open goal from 2 yards out  Woodall could only manage to knock the ball wide.  (Miss of the season already!!!) 

At half time Rochdale were winning 0-2 leaving Woodall with an easy team talk in which he advised the team to carry on playing in the same way and the next goal was critical. 

The second half started with both teams creating chances. Scunthorpe were trying to get back into the game, hitting the crossbar with one effort from 25 yards. 

The next piece of action came in the Scunthorpe half. Rochdale were awarded a free kick on the left for a foul on Harwood. Milnes took the free kick, crossing it low and hard into the box. The ball took a defection of a Scunthorpe defender and ended up in the back of the net. The goal panel decided the credit Milnes with the goal, saying that the free kick was on target. 0-3. 

With about 30 minutes left in the game Woodall decided to make some changes.  Ryan Higginbotham replaced Harwood, Mark unknown replaced Woodall and James Harcombe replaced Dave Veevers. 

The 4^th goal came about 10 minutes later. After good work in midfield by Paul Veevers the ball broke to Milnes, who played the ball over the Scunthorpe defenders. Last seasons top goalscorer Kaminskas beat the offside trap and put the ball under the out rushing keeper. 0-4. 

Once going 4 nil in front Rochdale started to take the foot of the pedal, letting Scunthorpe to get back into the game. Rochdale came under a lot of pressure and conceded two goals. 

Overall it was a good game and one in which Rochdale deserved to win. It was good to finally get a match in after such a long break. 

Next up for Rochdale is Shrewsbury at home which is bound to be a close game.

 

Squad

G - Jon Coluccio

RB - Dave Veevers

LB - Phil Woodall  MOM

CB - Steve Crossley (C)

CB - Kenny Hindle

RM - Luke Lloyd

LM - Jan Harwood

CM - Craig Milnes

CM - Paul Veevers

F - Mark Woodall

F - Anthony Kaminskas

Substitutes

Ryan Higginbotham replaced Harwood

James Harcombe replaced Dave Veevers

Mark Unknown replaced Mark Woodall