Dale completed a somewhat easy victory today against Exeter at Spotland. Goals from Gary Jones and Kevin Townson sent Dale to a 2-0 win and put them top of Division 3.
Dale reverted back to the traditional 4-4-2 formation for the game which saw Paul Connor partner Clive Platt up front. Flitcroft was left on the bench. Gareth Griffiths was once again left out due to his injury. The most suprising news was that Neil Edwards was not in the squad, and young keeper Matt Gilkes was in net.
Dale started quite well but lost their way a bit and Exeter were probably the better team for the first twenty minutes. However they didn't create any chances at all, and were punished for it. After about twenty minutes the game sprung into life.
A low ball whipped into the box hit an Exeter arm. Penalty! No! The referee ignored it and waved played on. A few minutes later and Paul Connor was strangely subsituted, whether he is still feeling the effects of his hamstring injury remains to be seen.
No sooner had Townson replaced him though that little scouser was in the box and was brought down. Penalty! No the referee ignored that as well! A few minutes later though at the third time of asking Dale were awarded a penalty, and it probably shouldn't of been! Clive Platt burst into the box, toed the ball past the keeper and dived over the keepers body. The referee gave it! Gary Jones coolly slotted home the kick to ease the Dale nerves.
Just a minute later and Dale had doubled their lead. Exeter were caught wanting in defence and Kevin Townson stormed through clear on goal. He coolly chipped the ball over the advancing Van Heusden to claim his first goal of his league career. Lets hope its not the last.
A few minutes later and Dale should of had their third. A lovely move on the edge of the box saw Wayne Evans played through on goal. He crossed and Townson tapped it in. However the linesman had his flag up for offside. It was touch and go whether it was or not but we'll give him the benefit of the doubt. However when he ruled out what would of been Dale's fourth he was clearly wrong. Simon Coleman was given offside despite running around a defender to head home! Incompetent linesmen at it again!
The second half started with a bang for Exeter at least. The Devon side came out all guns blazing and were a little unlucky not at least get a consolation goal. They first had a shot well saved by Gilkes and then the rebound was fired against the cross bar. Towards the end was well a header aimed at the top corner was clawed away by Gilkes, who had a great game, bar one poor kick. He always looked confident and is as good a replacement for Edwards that we could wish for.
Dale still had a few chances to extend their lead in the second. A free-kick was parried over the bar and Townson was through on goal only to be denied by Van Heusden. All in all though Dale thoroughly deserved the three-points.
Well there is only four games gone but Dale are sitting pretty at the top of the league. Some would say that the tables at the moment are all but irrelevant. Their team isn't top of the league though is it! Up The Dal