The game with Shrewsbury was more important than most. A win at the New Meadow would see Rochdale well into contention for automatic promotion, but the most critical result of a victory would be the clinching of a play-off place. Shrewsbury currently reside in 8th, one place outside the play-off spots and 7 points behind Rochdale with three games to play after this game. A failure from the Shrews to notch a victory would all but seal Dale’s place in the post-season festivities.
The first-half represented Shrewsbury’s need for a victory as they battered Rochdale. Nick Chadwick and Grant Holt were amongst the players lining up to break the deadlock as wave-after-wave of attacks were launched on Frank Fielding’s goal. It was Holt who finally ended Rochdale’s resistance just two minutes after the break. Chaos at a corner ended with Holt converting from close-range in his trademark predatory fashion. The former Rochdale man was scoring against his old side for the second time this season, the goal in the reverse fixture also arriving just after the break. It is becoming a bit of a problem now. After the break, Dale usually have around 10 minutes where they look exceptionally vulnerable and they usually concede in this period. The amount of times that Dale have undone the good work of a first period this season has probably contributed heavily to any failure to gain an automatic promotion spot (should they miss out).
The general balance of the play suggested that Holt’s goal may be decisive (to the joy of the Dale fans), though the visiting side managed to gain a foothold in the game. With 15 minutes of the game still to play, Rochdale managed to cultivate an equaliser via the unlikely source of Chris Dagnall. A miserable season in front of goal for the previously-prolific striker had defied his superb work rate all year, though he would get a reward today by providing the equaliser. Picking the ball up at the edge of the area, Dagnall sent a tremendous first-time effort beyond Luke Daniels to give Rochdale a priceless point. The shell-shocked Shrews had no reply and the game fizzled out into a 1-1 draw.
While a win would have been ideal, I guess I can’t complain too much. With automatic promotion looking evermore unlikely, a play-off place must be clinched at the earliest opportunity, which happens to be the televised 12.45 kick-off against Darlington at Spotland. A point would be enough for a play-off place, though a win would be preferable; essential to keep Dale’s dim automatic hopes alive. Surely I won’t be disappointed.
Tags: League 2, League Two, Rochdale, Rochdale AFC
