Oh how I hate that phrase. Motty’s stock one-liner is infuriating but I may grudgingly have to accept that he is on to something. The tradition, the knockout formula and the upsets make the tournament the best in the world and a great advert for it occurred at Rochdale on Tuesday night. I know, I know that Rochdale vs Barnet in a 1st round replay is hardly the stuff of dreams, but it had just about everything that makes a cracking FA Cup tie.
Both teams were eager to win this game as the reward, an away tie at Forest Green Rovers of the Conference, represented an excellent opportunity to get into the potential money-spinner that is round three. It was fair to say that Dale fans were optimistic as Barnet aren’t the greatest side in the world (exemplified by the 3-1 victory in the league game), but this proved to be the players downfall early on. Barnet raced into a two goal lead courtesy of some very easy goals that suggest that the Dale players considered this a cakewalk. John O’Flynn scored Barnet’s first as the whole Dale defence was beaten by a long ball on the break, leaving the Barnet striker to ease the ball past Russell. The second came on 20 minutes when Gary Jones sent a disastrous back-pass straight into the path of Albert Adomah, who coolly rounded Russell and tapped into the empty net. Proceedings didn’t improve before half-time and there was a desolate mood at the break. The poor performance was disappointing to say the least and many fans were already resigned to the fact that the FA Cup dream was over for another year. The much-altered Dale had been abysmal, especially home-debutant Mark Jones who looked desperately unfit and a shell of the player that was so highly rated not long ago. To add to the depression, the referee had been truly awful. It’s easy to blame the officials when your 2-0 down, but the portly man-in-black had given foul after foul at corners and also missed the rough tactics of Barnet captain, Ismael Yakubu. Yakubu had been raising the ire of the home supporters with his constant pushing and holding at set-plays while the referee was totally oblivious to any foul play. Changes were needed.
The call for change was answered by Hill, who swiftly implemented ‘Plan B’. Off was Mark Jones and on was target man, Lee Thorpe. 4-3-3 was a formation seldom used at Spotland, but desperate times called for desperate measures so a more direct approach was required as opposed to the (usual) slick passing game. This was a bold move from Keith Hill that would soon show his tactical nous and willingness to take risks. Take that Arsene Wenger! The onslaught, that lasted the whole of the second period, took hold ten minutes after half-time when Adam Le Fondre triggered a fightback. Tom Kennedy’s cross was whipped in from the left, reaching the waiting Alfie who poked home at the backpost. In this situation, it is usually the chasing team with the momentum and this was the case as Dale drew level 15 minutes later. Le Fondre again Rochdale’s saviour when he converted a pass from Gary Jones, who was eager to atone for his earlier error. In the meantime, Dale had been forcing a Barnet side, that had no answer to Dale’s attack, ever deeper and many desperate attempts to keep the ball out had been successful, including two goal line clearances. Unfortunately, Barnet were able to repel the Dale offensive to the final whistle. The match was going to extra-time. Could Dale get the win they now richly deserved? Or could Barnet nick a victory with the same sucker-punch that brought them a two-goal lead?
It took the whole first half of extra-time to get the answer. Picking the ball up just outside the 18-yard box way out on the right, Le Fondre completed his hat-trick in stunning fashion; sending a sumptuous chip way beyond the reaches of beanpole Lee Harrison in the Barnet goal. It was no more than Dale deserved as the onslaught on the Barnet goal had continued into the extra period with Will Buckley earlier striking the post with a 20-yard effort. Upon scoring, Le Fondre was subbed off for Adam Rundle as he had suffered a knock a few moments before sealing his triple haul. Naturally, Alfie was less than pleased at being subbed, but that was to be expected and encouraged.
There was no repeat of Dale’s tendency to concede stupid goals in the second half of extra-time as they subjected Barnet to a masterclass in keeping a lead. Rochdale reverted to their tried-and-tested approach of passing the ball and kept the ball sublimely throughout the half, securing their place in the second round. With Forest Green to come, it is certainly time to dream of a big clash in the 3rd round against “(Manchester) United or City” with Le Fondre leading the way in stating the ambitions. Dale mustn’t get ahead of themselves though, a game against Luton on Saturday is sure to bring a more sobering effect and, hopefully, three points.
Tags: Bury, Bury FC, League 2, League Two, Rochdale, Rochdale AFC
