Carney’s strike proves decisive
SATURDAY saw Rochdale take on South Manchester in the last away game before the winter break.
The game was in doubt due to an earlier one being called off for a frozen pitch, but thankfully the go ahead was given for an enthusiastic Rochdale side.
Energetic from the start Rochdale were soon on the offensive after some interceptions on the right hand side. With South Manchester unable to break the Rochdale press, chances started to come early on. One these was expertly scored by Sean Carney, who beat a defender D top before lashing it in the corner with a low reverse stick strike.
Rochdale continued to
PW D L F A 10 9 0 1 44 18 11 9 0 2 35 20 9 8 0 1 50 8 10 5 1 4 28 21
Bolton 2s 10 5 0 5 21 21 0 15 Lancaster & M 2 10 3 1 6 18 31 -13 10 Didsbury N 6s 10 3 1 6 12 28 -16 10 Preston 5s 10 3 1 6 26 43 -17 10 South Man 1s 9 30 6 19 25 -6 9 Leyland & C 2s 9 2 1 6 21 30 -9 7 Fylde 3 9 1 0 8 7 39 -32 3 dominate most of the first half and maintained a high line and most of the possession. A few chances did come for South Manchester’s as they started to find a way through, but it was dealt with well by the Rochdale defensive line.
As South Manchester did get higher up the pitch, space appeared behind them for the Rochdale forward line to exploit. It led to more chances, but unfortunately not to more goals and at half time it was 1-0 to Rochdale, with basically more of the same wanted in the second half.
South Manchester came back stronger in the start of the second half, forcing Rochdale to dig in and win the midfield battle for possession.
Gradually Rochdale did just that, and pinned Manchester back for most of the middle of the second half.
Again more chances were created but unfortunately they were not converted into a better lead.
With the score still 1-0 going into the last ten minutes, Manchester started to commit more men forward in search of an equaliser and did create two match winning chances.
Fortunately the first of these, a straight strike from around the P spot, proved to be more of a problem to the pigeons in the car park than Rochdale’s keeper Jimmy Deacy. The second was closer, leading to a goal line clearance from the alert Liam Nutter.
With some shouts of enthusiasm from the supporters and each other, Rochdale dug in, to keep a clean sheet and were awarded thier own penalty corner as the last play of the game thanks to smart play from Adam Massey.
Unable to convert the rebound after a good initial shot the game finished 1-0 to Rochdale to give them a much needed and deserved win.
The Flying Horse Man of the Match was difficult to choose after such a cohesive team effort, but Manny Ahmed edged it after another solid performance.
Captain Tim Liptrot said: “Hopefully this will give us the confidence we need going into the last home game before the festive break against Fylde next Saturday.”