If there is to be one criticism to be levelled at Rochdale this season (and there is room for a few), it is that they have not been able to ‘grind’ out the victories when they are not at their potent best. This has seen many dropped points that have caused the automatic promotion bid to be more arduous than it really should have been. For example, the 1-1 home draw with Macclesfield springs to mind. It was a treat then, to see Rochdale eke out a win against Port Vale.
Port Vale have had a poor season, unable to mask their league performance with the ‘luxury’ of a points deduction that fellow relegated side Bournemouth and Luton have ‘enjoyed’. They have been nowhere throughout the year. Of course, against Rochdale, they still offered a threat, especially as Hill had made a few changes. The most notable was the introduction of the previously on-loan Marcus Holness at centre-back to cover for the absent Stanton and a return to the squad for the disappointing Kallum Higginbotham. Higgy had struggled to replicate the form he showed in late 2007 and we weren’t expecting a great deal here; his Rochdale career is surely over. As it happened, he only lasted half of the first period after being floored by two strong (and brilliant) tackles by his marker. Hill made similar changes last season to his starting line-up at this stage last season and it almost cost an automatic promotion spot then, it was possible that the scenario would be repeated.
Port Vale almost struck first when they struck the woodwork. A corner would almost be the undoing of the Dale once again as the initial header was won and the flick-on left Frank Fielding with little option but to watch the ball come back off the bar. Rochdale’s performance was hampered by the ineffectual Higginbotham on the right-wing, so it was unsurprising when Dale took the lead while he was off receiving treatment. Ten-man Rochdale advanced down the right with the luckless Dagnall who showed Higgy just how it was done. Beating the defender and getting to the byline, Daggers centred for the waiting Buckley on the opposite wing, leaving him the simple task of rolling the ball home. It was the ‘tip of the iceberg’ as far as Dagnall’s performance was considered. Okay, so he may not be banging in the goals as he once was, but his work ethic and his desire to give his best for the team was inspirational as he carried Dale over the line. As the second half wore on, his attempts to notch a goal intensified, causing some great support from the crowd. A clear man-of-the-match performance from Chris Dagnall.
Apart from Dagger’s performance, Dale’s ability to restrict Port Vale’s chances was probably the most impressive feature of their display. From the moment that they struck the bar, Port Vale were restricted to efforts from long range, at best, that rarely caused Frank Fielding to break sweat in the spring Rochdale sunshine (I repeat, sunshine). Even Louis Dodds was unable to repeat the trick of many other ex-Dale strikers by scoring against his former team. In the end, it was a comfortable victory that the 1-0 scoreline failed to do justice.
Victories in a similar vein must be acquired in the remaining four games if Dale are to stand a chance of automatic promotion. Next up is play-off chasing Shrewsbury at the New Meadow where a win would seal a play-off spot for Rochdale. In fact, a positive result of any kind will leave Rochdale as shoe-ins for a play-off spot. Let’s just hope that Grant Holt has even less luck than Louis Dodds!
Tags: League 2, League Two, Rochdale, Rochdale AFC
