Match Report (22.10.99) Swansea 1 Dale 0
Dale conceded a late goal to crash to another defeat.
Dale conceded a late goal to crash to another defeat and more worryingly, this was yet another game where Dale failed to score. Despite a much better performance, Dale still failed to take advantage of some quality approach play to trouble the opposition keeper.
After making the six and half hour trip down the motorway from hell called the M6, the 90 or so Rochdale fans were looking for Dale to improve dramatically on their poor performance on Tuesday night against the Silkmen.
Parkin made a couple of changes from the last match with Jones replacing Carden in midfield, and Dowe being preferred to Holt in attack.
The game was being covered on "Five Live", and all the talk was about Swansea's Jamaican international Boyd, who had scored three goals in his last three games.
As at Spotland a few weeks early, Swansea tended to opt for the longer ball approach, knocking balls down the channels for their wide man to chase.
In contrast Dale played their usual passing game, and having a little more time on the ball than they have at home started brightly. The back four of Dale dealt with every thing that Swansea could throw at them, and with Dale meeting with little resistance in midfield, we had the lion's share of procession. However all to often sloppy passing or a lack of concentration meant Dale attacks were broken down.
Goal scoring chances were at a premium in the first half, Atkinson had a effort from a free kick flash just wide of the post, and a lively looking Dowe saw an effort go just wide.
Towards the end of the half the game threaten to boil over, partly due to the inept display of refereeing we are all becoming accustomed to from week to week. The first incident followed one of the many punts up field from Swansea. Edwards raced out of his area to clear the loose ball into the crowd. As he did the approaching Swansea forward kicked out and caught Edwards. Enraged Edwards turn around and punched the play in the back, unseen by the referee. Minutes later Searle made an excellent tackle on the edge of the box, in front of the Swansea fans, to deny Swansea procession. Incensed the Swansea player wrestled Searle to the ground as other player charged in. To be fair Searle, who had faced torrents of abuse all night, he did not react, and a red card loomed for the Swansea forward. After the player were broke up, the referee pulled the striker to one side but failed even to give a yellow card. To rub salt into the wound the linesman, intimidated by the crowd flagged over the referee who then spoke to the innocent Searle.
The second half was much like the first, Dale controlling the game without taking it by the scruff of the neck and trying to win. Attack after attack was broke down by wayward passing.
There were few chances of note, Peake clear on the edge of the six-yard box saw his shot charged away by a defender, and both Dowe and Atkinson had efforts saved by Freestone in the Swansea goal.
Swansea substituted Boyd late in the game, as he had barely had a kick, which showed how well both Green and Hill had played at the back. As the game drew to a close, Dale grew more and more predictable and looked as though they had settled for a draw. Swansea had barely an attack all night and a draw looked a fair result. However with just six minutes remaining, Dale failed to clear the ball out of their area and Cusack knocked the ball home to give Swansea an undeserved win.
The long drive home gave us all time to reflex on Dale's shortcomings. We had enjoyed large amounts of procession but failed to dominate the game, not wanting to single out individual players for blame, Flitcroft and Platt looked bemused at times and did not impose themselves on the game the way they did in the early part of the season. Dale could have, or should have pressed forward more like at York. The game was there for the taking, instead the Dale side wanted it handed on a plate and waited for it to happen, and it did. In the end three points lost, one point stolen.
Dale side: Edwards, Evans, Searle, Green, Hill, Peake, Jones (Carden), Flitcroft, Atkinson, Platt, Dowe (Holt)
Man of the Match: Searle- Just edged out Hill and Green who were both superb at the back. Searle had to cope with lots of abuse, but made some great tackles.
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