| Report
by NigelBlues
City 2 Rochdale 1
Att: 4,683 (looked more than that!)
Rochdale support: about 75
Good Evening Winners!
I haven't got a clue what Frank & Billy say to the players at half-time but
they'd better start saying it from the start and quick.
The pattern continues, City can't play for 90 minutes, play the wrong starting
line up, the wrong formation for home games, don't have penetration but storm
back in the 2nd half and win! And 2 more memorable goals for the collection.
There genuinely have been some unbelievable goals for and against this season.
Don't know about you and I don't care if you say I'm OTT, I haven't enjoyed
watching City so much in the last 5 years as I have this season already.
City's 4 successive league wins is our best run since the promotion season
more than 5 years ago. But you would never have guessed it would happen on
the 1st half show which was as poor as anything served up this season.
Line Up
Hallworth
Delaney, Eckhardt, Young © , Mitchell
Bonner, Carpenter, Brazier, O'Sullivan
Thomas, Nugent
sub: Fowler, Roberts, Williams
The only change in the starting line-up was a fit again Scott Young replacing
Jarman. Chris Roberts got on the subs bench. No place for Craig Middleton.
City started well but it was a dreary half. The same sort of problems we've
been seeing most of the season, midfield not supporting the strikers or giving
service. The back looked solid.
City's best effort (only effort?) was a superb run by Matt Brazier (please
sign him!) where he beat 3 players and hit a beautiful, curling shot destined
for the top, opposite corner. Rochdale's keeper was must also be their
matchday mascot but he is Neil Edwards, an-ex Welsh U-21 keeper from Aberdare who I
remember playing well against us for Stockport, made a stunning save tipping the ball
over. Jon Hallworth would have been proud of that one.
A few minutes later, Brazier tried it again but lost the ball and Rochdale
scored from the break. The ball was swept forward and then to the wing where
Ian Bryson (ex-Sheff Utd, I always rated him), held off Delaney and swept in a
good cross. However, City's defence (Eckhardt & Young in particular) went to
sleep and let Robbie Painter ghost in with a free header on the 6 yd box which
Hallworth was helpless to prevent (he went the other way which didn't help
either!).
Half-Time City 0 Rochdale 1
Can't remember much more about the first-half, don't want to either. City
were booed off by the whole ground.
The reason was City seemed to have opened the "portakabin" structure between the
Bob Bank and Canton Stand as an Executive Box for the first-time!!! This is the box used
by BBC for Wales and City FAW matches last season. I was really envious watching those in
there sinking bottles of Bud all game - maybe we should have a get-together in there!
The other half-time highlight were the subs all having a run-out. Jason &
Chris did the Ayatollah but John Williams waved and clapped when asked to do
it. Next thing, Jason grabbed him and was explaining and demonstrating the
aytollah. The Canton Stand asked John to do the Ayatollah again and. this
time, there was no stopping him!
Second half was so enjoyable as City dominated and went for it. Jason started
in place of Delaney (most were shocked Delaney went off and assumed he was
injured but Frankie said afterwards it was tactical).
The chances came thick and fast - City may have had 20 shots in the 2nd half
compared to 2 or 3 in the 1st half. Jason Fowler controlled midfield and
dominated the game, sweeping the ball wide and bringing the other midfielders
and strikers into play more. The atmosphere changed totally, the crowd were
with City non-stop for 45 mins - when City put in the effort, our fans can't
be beaten!
The first sign of the comeback came 5 mins after the restart when Carpenter,
who pushed forward more than any time this season, crashed a tremendous shot
off the bar after superb work by Bonner. Thoughts that it wasn't going to be
our day were proved wrong by 2 fantastic goals within 5 minutes before the
hour was up. Both came from Carpenter corners.
The first one was headed away well but met on the full by Matt Brazier who
crashed a stunning left footer in the angle between bar and post from 25
yards. It was sheer class, I couldn't do it justice in words. It was that
good! The place just lifted.
Next corner, we were ahead. This time, the corner was cleared to the halfway
line but played back to Bonner about 40 yds out, he strode forward and smashed
another classic left footer. It went across goal and in off the far post from
30 yds.
City kept pressuring and really should have scored 4 or 5 in the 2nd half.
Domination was total but they had a couple of scary moments. Dai Thomas (not
a great game again) missed an easy chance when set up by a fantastic move, the keeper made
brilliant saves from a Jason Fowler free-kick, Nugent, O'Sullivan
and, best of all, turning a Jeff Eckhardt shot over from point blank range.
The scary times came when Jason gave the ball away in midfield and an
incredible pinball like scramble ended when Hallworth made a routine save for
him, which would be class for other goalies.
He was a little luckier close to the end when an amazing spin of the ball
meant that he "accidentally" handled outside the area. The ref gave a free-
kick, presumably, using his discretion as this is usually a sending off
offence. This was another who wasn't a "homer" as he booked 4 or 5 City to 1
Rochdale in a non-dirty game and seemed to let Rochdale players go for
offences equal to City's bookings.
BUT WE WON AGAIN!!!!
This is becoming my weekly appeal to Frank Burrows - I know we're a winning
side but change the starting line-up please! You can't leave Jason Fowler on
the bench - this guy is Premier quality, don't waste it! His game has
progressed this season and he's not being used properly.
They have got to start games as they finish them too. The 4 wins (Plymouth,
Barnet, Halifax & today) have all been won by 2nd half goals and performances.
The strikers remain a problem too, they have scored just 4 of City's 11 goals
this season. A great return by midfield but we will get found out if we don't sort it out
up front.
Next up - Chester away next Saturday and judging by the mood walking away, it
seems as if our support will be massive!
The other good news is that Keegan has agreed for Brazier to stay for a 2nd
month on-loan, he is genuine class! Won't forget his goal in a hurry.
After 4 wins, all I can say is GIMME 5! |
