Thanks to the Supporters Team for the following report –
Match Report Burton 2- Rochdale 6
The first early set off (if you can call 8 am early) saw us head to Burton ahead of the big game in the afternoon to take on an improving Burton Supporters team in an IFA League game. This was our second game of the season and the boys were eager to follow up the 2-0 win over Port Vale and extend our 100% start to the season.
Things did not get off to the best of starts when perhaps our travel and early set off saw us caught out with a long ball and the Burton forward punished us by finishing cooly into the net. Shortly afterwards Johnny Hall was shepherding a ball out of play when the Burton attacker callously hacked away at him forcing Rochdale into an early substitution bringing on Jan Harwood to replace him at centre half.
Testament to the strong team spirit in the Rochdale Supporters Trust side we didn’t let the early setback get us down. After an exchange of half chances between the team an effective speedy counterattack caught the Burton defence unawares and Kyle Davies broke free down the left side to cross the ball low and hard across the penalty box for Luke Walsh to slam home from 6 yards.
Momentum was now with Rochdale and within a couple of minutes we fashioned a second counter attack which eventually saw Phil Darlington release Kyle Davies in behind his full back. Kyle coolly chipped the ball over the on rushing Burton goalkeeper to send Rochdale into the lead. A lead we would not relinquish.
The rest of the first half produced a number of efforts on goal but no change in the scoreline.
HT: Burton 1 Rochdale 2
Half time saw manager David Heeley (playing in net covering for Adam Stott who was stuck with the joys of his new found fatherhood) make full use of the squad of 15 that travelled, and introduced some fresh legs. The second half saw Burton start the brighter as they enjoyed long periods of possession and a succession of chances. More changes were made from the manager mid way through the half in an effort to find some fresh impetus.
Within minutes one of the substitutes Andrew Lorimer latched onto through ball from Steven Crossley. Determination on the ball saw him work his way through two defenders and round the goalkeeper finishing from an acute angle into an empty goal. The dale attack smelt blood and Steve Crossley turned provider once again as some hard work chasing down a lost cause opened up an opportunity to get to the byline and deliver a great cross to the back post finding the unmarked Andrew Lorimer who powered his diving header past the stranded Burton keeper.
Dale were now in full flow and wave after wave of attacks eroded away at the Burton back line. Phil Darlington who had moved out wide from his usual foward position found space to put a teasing cross into the penalty box. Jack Leeming rose the highest and connected with his header perfectly to place his header right into the top right corner of the net.
Dale didn’t have it all our own way and with around 5 minutes left Burton had a corner and made full use reducing the arrears with a well taken header from the edge of the 6 yard box. With seconds of the game left Johnny Hall, now back on and playing in midfield, latched on to a loose ball. The Burton defence backed off and backed off and Johnny made them pay with a low shot into bottom left corner from 25 yards out.
Overall a great team performance and a fully rotated squad with some people playing 2 or 3 different positions throughout the game. Our next game is this coming Saturday against Southport Supporter team in the group stages of this years North West IFA Cup. Kick off will be 11am at Hopwood Hall Middleton.
Squad vs Burton;
David Heeley, Iain Murray, Johnny Hall, Rhys Wostlenholme, Joe Ralphs, Luke Walsh, Liam Jennings, Jack Leeming, Kyle Davies, Phil Darlington, Paul Hudson, Jan Harwood, Steven Crossley, Andrew Lorimer and Dean Smith.