Point sees Dale
APOINT against Stoke City’s under 21s kept Rochdale top of Northern Group C despite losing a penalty shoot-out.
The Potters picked up an extra point for their spot-kick success, and while but Dale boss Keith Hill was less than impressed with the penalty execution from some of his players, he was happy to extend his side’s run of clean sheets to five matches.
“We’ve had to make sure we didn’t lose the game. The result is worth a point and it keeps us top of the league. It’s a minileague, so that point is crucial,” said Hill.
“The penalty shoot-out can go either way but I’m expecting better from the players.
“The two misses are over the bar and there was one outstanding save from Jordan Williams.
“It’s inexcusable to not hit the target in a penalty shoot-out, so I’m disappointed with that. But I’m not disappointed with the patience that the players showed – we had enough opportunities to win the game and their ‘keeper has had an outstanding game.”
Visiting goalkeeper Jakob Haugaard was the hero of the hour for a Stoke side which included several first-teamers, among them Charlie Adam.
Glyn Hodges’ team were reduced to ten men when Thomas Edwards was dismissed for blocking a goalbound Jordan Slew header with his arm midway through the first half, presenting Dale with a penalty. However, Haugaard tipped MJ Williams’ well struck effort round the post.
Dale had a number of chances to win it after the break but couldn’t find the elusive breakthrough.
Hill once again included 16-year-old Daniel Adshead, who looked far from fazed in going up against a seasoned pro like Adam, producing the first effort of note which was drived narrowly wide of the target and the teenager later threatened with a fine curling effort at the end of a slick move by the home side.
Slew’s fine turn and shot took a slight nick as it flew the wrong side of the post.
The striker’s next contribution earned the spot kick. He met Joe Bunney’s corner with a firm header and was only denied his first Dale goal by the outstretched arm of Edwards, who was immediately dismissed.
However, Haugaard ensured Dale did not take advantage.
Julien Ngoy’s overheadkick and a long-range effort from Tyrese Campbell underlined the fact Stoke still had the quality to hurt Dale before the half was out.
After the interval, Dale continued to create the clearer chances.
Mark Kitching forced Haugaard into a save with an effort from 20 yards, before the visitors blocked a shot from MJ Williams on the line after he met a Rathbone corner at the back post.
The Stoke goalkeeper was called into action again when Kgosi Ntlhe, struck a dipping effort and Rochdale had the ball in the back of the net on 70 minutes only for Done’s close-range finish to be ruled out for offside.
‘It is inexcusable to not hit the target in a penalty shoot-out’
Stoke packed their own half with men and made life difficult for the Dale frontline in their attempts to break them down.
Hill’s men did mount a late flurry of activity in and around the Stoke