Dale move out
ROCHDALE climbed out of the relegation zone for the first time in four months after they shared the spoils in Tuesday’s meeting with promotionchasing Plymouth.
Dale had to come from behind in the game after Joel Grant opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, only for it to be cancelled out by Ryan Delany’s powerful header two minutes later.
On a wet night at the Crown Oil Arena, the weather seemed to dampen Rochdale’s momentum in the early exchanges of the game.
Plymouth dominated possession and within the opening ten minutes Graham Carey fired one across Josh Lillis’ boughs and forced a save out of the Dale goalkeeper from a free-kick.
A tactical reshuffle from Keith Hill gave the home side renewed vigour. Stephen Humphrys moved to the left flank, swapping with Calvin Andrew, who fared much better as a central striker. Yet it was down the right-hand side that Rochdale created their first opening of the night. A looping cross from Scott Wiseman forced a scruffy punch from Plymouth keeper, Remi Matthews, and Bradden Inman’s followup effort whistled just over the crossbar.
It was the Pilgrims who went closest next, as Ruben Lameiras fed Antoni Sarcevic just inside the box. The midfielder never really took the ball in his stride, and his prodded right-foot effort was well closed down by an onrushing Lillis.
However, the Rochdale keeper was left stranded moments later after Carey’s curling effort hit the inside of the post, and thankfully for the home supporters, Sarcevic did not make a clean connection with the rebounding ball.
Carey was proving to be a difficult customer for the Dale and he again went close just before half-time. It took an impressive block from Harrison McGahey to ensure the teams went in level at the break.
Hill, who admitted after the game that his midfield were overran at times during the first period, introduced Joe Rafferty and Matthew Gillam ahead of the second half, in place of Humphrys and Mark Kitching.
It had an almost instantaneous effect on the home side, who nearly took the lead within two minutes of the restart. Wisemore’s overlapping run and cross found Callum Camps just outside the six-yard box, but his effort was well palmed away by Matthews.
Plymouth were struggling to deal with Wisemore and Inman’s link-up play. A 49th-minute cross from Rochdale’s right-back was met by Andrew and forced a smart save from the opposition goalkeeper.
Rochdale dominated proceedings in the early part of the second half, and when Plymouth’s goal came it was completely against the run of play. After fluffing his first attempt at a cross, Rueben Lameiras got another bite of the cherry, and his looping ball was met by Grant, who timed his jump perfectly above the Rochdale defence.
Their lead only lasted for two minutes, however. Inman’s out-swinging corner in the 55th minute evaded Matthews’ outstretched arm and was met by defender Delany. His bullet header gave the covering Plymouth defender on the line no chance, and levelled the tie again to the relief of most of the 2,760 at the Crown Oil Arena.
Rochdale’s brightest moments continued to come down the rightflank. Inman’s tireless work resulted in the balling landing at Gillam’s feet on the hour mark, just a few yards from goal. The midfielder turned sharply but his effort went a few inches above the crossbar.
Next it was Inman’s turn to go close. His rightfooted effort from the corner of the box was well saved by Matthews at his front post, as the home side continued to search for an elusive winner.
There were a few late scares for Hill’s men, notably a curling shot from Grant which sailed wide and Lionel Ainsworth’s 87th-minute effort which was deflected wide.
“I think it’s a very good point earned after the first-half performance,” said Hill. “I wasn’t happy at all with it, I was uncomfortable. Psychologically we looked as though we’d been beaten off the pitch. In the second half I thought we saw a better reflection of us and we went 1-0 down against the run of play. We showed the type of spirit that I expect, the bravery. I’ve been in many a fight - my
‘We showed the type of spirit that I expect, the bravery’
dad always told me if you’re going to fight and get beaten, leave an impression.
“I think we got the bravery, we stepped into them and looked more comfortable in possession.”