Dale recorded only their second ever win in London as they picked up three very valuable points against Barnet.
Dale recorded only their second ever win in London as they picked up three very valuable points against Barnet. New loan signing Miquel De Souza looks to be a very worthwhile addition to the squad and he formed a good partnership with Painter. Perhaps on this showing the season isn't dead after all!
Dale won their second away win of the season away at Barnet as they coped better in the arduous conditions than their London rivals managed. Before the game, there was some doubt as to whether the game would actually be played. This was a mixture of worrying whether this weeks game would meet the same fate as last week's, and the news of Chelsea's postponement. The rain continued to come down and showed no sign or relenting.
Once inside the ground, the pitch looked in good condition, and it was not until you saw a ball attempt to bounce on the sloped pitch that you were aware of the difficulties that faced both teams.
Dale started very brightly indeed and should have had the game wrapped up within the first ten minutes. Robbie Painter had three glorious chances that you would normally expect him to finish with ease. The first two saw a long ball over the top to Robbie who broke free of the Barnet defence, but on both occasions his finish let him down. The third chance saw him receive the ball in acres of space inside the box, but again he failed to find the back of the net.
The presence of new player Miguel De Souza certainly provided Dale with the strength and height up front, but there is a whole lot more to his game than just that. He can also play the ball along the floor with a lot of skill, at times showing a couple of touches of which Mark Stuart would have been proud.
As the half progressed, Barnet came back into it more as they played down the slope in this half. The nearest they came to scoring was when their number six put the ball over the bar from about 3 yards out. Another chance was feroicously hit, so much so, that it became wedged in at the back of the stand, providing some difficulty for the ball boy / steward to retrieve.
The second half saw Dale almost score immediately. A long ball was played down the right to where De Souza and Jones had made a run, and the ball was knocked back inside to Painter who fired a shot just wide of the post from outside the box. This must only have been five or six seconds into the half.
In this half it was De Souza who got the breaks that Painter had got in the first. He showed some trickery with his play and again he was only let down by his shot. One thing about De Souza, he does take his time returning back into an onside position after making a run.
The goal came when Dale had put on a bit of pressure. A run was made down the left and Robbie Painter was left with a simple header to put the Dale in front. Both he and Jason Peake immediately ran to the Dale fans to celebrate.
Once a goal up, Dale decided to sit back and contain the Barnet attacks. This decision almost cost them the three points. Barnet had one chance, which went unbelievably wide when it looked more difficult to miss than score. Another header became stuck in the mud when Neil Edwards looked beaten. They also had another glorious effort which went straight at Edwards, who did well to collect the ball so comfortably.
The final whistle came much to the jubilation of the players and supporters. Things are looking more promising, but the late pressure by Barnet could have cost Dale dear.
Edwards did what was required of him today. He coped well with the aerial balls that were thrown at him, and saved well when called upon. Williams struggled at times in the first half against the diminutive Barnet no.7, who was mysteriously withdrawn at half time. Other than he had a decent game. Sparrow again had a good game in his new found role as left back. All of the back three did well coping with the hazardous conditions. They all played like their lives depended on it, came up with some crucial tackles. Jones did all right, giving a bit of extra strength in the midfield, but Ian Bryson again looked the player we were expecting when he first signed. The difference between this season and last is unbelievable. Last year he looked washed up, building up twelve months of retirement money. He seems so much better since he was brought into the middle. Robbie Painter could have scored five goals today, and his winner will help those chances he missed in the first half slip from the memory. De Souza had a good debut and when the team become accustomed to his runs, he should make a valuable addition to the team.
The only downside to the day was having to pay £10 to stand in an area with a restricted view.
Dale: Edwards, Williams, Sparrow, Hill, Monington, Johnson, Jones(Bailey), Painter, DeSouza, Bryson, Peake.subs not used Leonard Stuart