Report | Rochdale

Saturday 9th December 2006 - KO 3pm

Rochdale

Peterborough United

Matt Gilks

Mark Tyler

Gary Brown

Mark Arber

Nathan Stanton

Dean Holden

Rory McArdle

Ben Futcher

Alan Goodall

Craig Morgan

John Doolan

Shane Huke

Gary Jones

Richard Butcher

Callum Warburton 75

Jude Sterling 60

William Mocquet

Danny Crow

Chris Dagnall

Aaron Maclean 90

Glenn Murray 76

Trevor Benjamin 72

Substitutes

Morike Sako 76

Adam Smith 72

Clive Moyo-Modise

Peter Gain 60

Lee Crooks

Jimmy Ghaichem

Keith Barker

Ben Turner 90

211

Adam Rundle 75

Lloyd Opara

SCORERS

McLean 73

BOOKINGS

Warburton , Stanton

Futcher, McLean, Arber

Stuart Ashworth at Spotland

Peterborough United were handed three valuable points thanks to a second half strike by Aaron Maclean and a very poor display by referee Mr. Shoebridge.

The match official somehow waved away claims for a first half penalty after Chris Dagnall was felled in what has to be the most blatant penalty claim of the season.

They say when you're down things don't go right for you and nothing could be further from the truth after manager Steve Parkin saw his side come away with nothing from a game they dominated for large spells.

The Dale boss made the brave step to include 19-year-old Callum Warburton in his starting line-up as he replaced Ernie Cooksey on the left flank. Glenn Murray was also drafted into the starting line-up in place of Morike Sako making just two changes from the side that lost to Macclesfield in midweek.

The game, from a Rochdale perspective was slow early on with Dale looking nervous following a tough week at the club. Chances early on were at a premium with the visitors enjoying the best of them though none really ever troubled 'keeper Matt Gilks.

Once the Rochdale players realised there was nothing to be nervous of, they began to get back into the game and gradually forge ahead.

The Posh offered little except a long throw into the box from Jude Stirling from anywhere on the pitch and with Keith Alexander's side found out Rochdale chances came.

The first arrive to the re-installed striker Glenn Murray who found himself on the end of a left-sided cross, but his shot on the turn with 21 minutes played was wide of the mark.

Steve Parkin's side continued to push and Callum Warburton was unlucky to see his low drive deflected after good work by Mocquet on the right and cross by man of the match Gary Brown.

Peterborough still caused a little concern and just before the half hour mark they reminded Matt Gilks what he was doing this afternoon. The dangerous McClean darted into the box before unleashing a central shot straight at the Dale 'keeper and he collected easily.

With 32 minutes played more good football and another great chance for the home side to break the deadlock following another move down the right flank.

Gary Brown, who had supported the movement of Frenchman Will Mocquet throughout the game, played a lovely one-two with the Sunderland loanee but the shot from Mocquet was saved by Tyler diving to his right.

Brown was instrumental minutes later, again linking well with Mocquet and providing a chance for Dale's leading scorer Chris Dagnall. Sadly his effort was blocked as was the follow up by skipper Gary Jones playing his 300th senior game for Rochdale.

As the half came to a close and Dale continued in a relentless pursuit of the opening goal ,controversy as Chris Dagnall is laid out inside the box. Dagnall was taken out of the game after slipping the ball to the right wing for Mocquet as he moved forward inside the area. The striker was left in a heap but referee Mr Shoebridge waved play on.

Perhaps Dale should have scored from Mocquet's centre after skipper Gary Jones volleyed just over but there was no advantage gained and when you put the two moments in the debating ring, a chance to cross or a penalty , there is no contest.

The second half began with Dale continuing the pressure they put on in the first and a sweeping move ended with a great chance for Chris Dagnall on the overlap but Tyler got down well to make the block.

Alan Goodall had his shot blocked after a half-cleared corner and minutes later Callum Warburton found a little space to put in a shot from 19-yards though straight at 'keeper Tyler, who made a comfortable catch in the end.

As a boxing match the game was won on points but along came a final round hay-maker that caught Dale flush on the chin. Aaron Maclean out-paced Rory McArdle to get on the end of a Adam Smith threaded ball before slamming the ball in by the foot of the near post on 73 minutes

The response by Dale was good, keep doing what you were doing and they did. However, it was chances that were carved out not goals though the Posh had plenty to be worried about.

Will Mocquet put in a fine cross that was begging to put in the back of the net, but Chris Dagnall was stretching with his header and never really looked like he'd get the ball on target.

John Doolan had no trouble finding the target late on with a volley from outside the box. Doolan smashed his effort from the edge of the box only to see Tyler in the right place at the right time to make the save.

As the game wore on and Dale became a little more desperate, so too did their play at times The haste to get things done led to mistakes and with everyone pushing for the equaliser, Peterborough almost made Parkin's side pay.

The pacy Maclean managed to skip clear of the Rochdale defence before going clear and face to face with Gilks once more. This time is was the Rochdale stopper that came out on top after making a save low to his right. makes the save.

Yes it was another defeat, but under fire manager Steve Parkin and all Rochdale supporters must take heart from a decent performance against one of the promotion chasers and in the knowledge that the game was ultimately lost through a very poor refereeing decision.

Match Stats

Rochdale

Peterborough Utd.

ATTEMPTS

ON TARGET

FREEKICKS

CORNERS

OFFSIDE

YELLOW CARDS

RED CARDS

POSSESSION

46%

POSSESSION

54%

stats supplied by PA News

Star Player

Rochdale

Peterborough United

Gary Brown

Aaron McLean

Managers Comments in Brief

Steve Parkin

Keith Alexander

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