Dale crashed to their second defeat of the week at Kidderminster today. The Harriers hammered Dale by 4 goals to 1. Full match report now online.

What can be said? Within the space of a week our season has fallen apart. John Hollins' first full game in charge saw us be destroyed by mid-table Kidderminster. Whether it was a case of the Harriers being out of this world, or Dale being off their game is debatable but in many peoples opinion we were awful.

It was a changed Dale team for the match, which saw a debut for Alan McLoughlin in the center of midfield. Patrick McCourt was given his first full team debut on the right wing. Darren Dunning played on the left wing, and Oliver was in the middle. It was the usual Platt/Connor partnership up front, and the same defence as usual. Steve Banks was in net. The subs bench though strangely lacked both Matt Doughty and Graeme Atkinson, in their places Simon Coleman and Paul Ware! Lee McEvilly was also on the bench.

Kidderminster started the brighter and were playing some excellent football, something that we need to learn how to do! They switched the play marvellously and the passing was crisp and incisive and many Dale fans were left wondering just why the Harriers were only half way in the table.

To say the Dale defence was having a nightmare is a bit of an understatement. Asides from Wayne Evans, who had to try and hold it together, the defending was shocking. There was no communication and the players didn't seem to know what they were doing.

The first goal came thanks to Kidderminster's resident gypsy Henriksen. A shot flew towards the Dale goal, before Henriksen stopped it six yards out before turning and smashing it into the bottom. The fact that were a number of Kiddie players yards offside didn't seem to matter to the linesman, despite protests from Banks in the Dale goal, and the Harriers were ahead.

Kiddie continued to go forward, and somewhat against the run of play Dale grabbed an equaliser. In truth it was a rare attack from Dale though it was a well made goal. A ball from Dunning deep into the area was volleyed into the middle by Platt for Michael Oliver to head the ball into the top corner. It looked as though Dale were back in the game.

The joy though was short lived and just five minutes later Dale fell behind again. Henriksen again hit a low shot from inside the area, Banks was unsighted due to a Kiddie player and Jobson standing right in front of him, and the ball trickled through his legs.

The resounding thought at half time was, 'Well we can't play any worse, and I doubt Kiddie will be able to keep this up for the rest of the match.' Well going forward Dale did improve but Kiddie simply defended in numbers and counter-attacked.

In all truth the second half pretty much turned into a farce due to the referee anyway. In no way did he cost s the game, we managed to lose it all by ourselves but did he really need to give the home side license to assault our players? On one occasion McCourt was pushed in the face, only to be booked himself! New signing McEvilly who had replaced Platt was also a victim of the referee. He had the ball in the corner, and was repeatedly kicked in the backs of the legs, only to have a free-kick given against him! Has someone changed the rules to football over Christmas and not bothered to tell us!?

Kidderminster however were full value for the win and their third goal came on 51 minutes. A deep ball into the box found Blake completely unmarked and he headed home superbly. The question needs to be asked though, what in the hell has happened to our defence!? The game was wrapped up with five minutes left, as Dean Bennett coolly slotted home the Harriers fourth, and many Dale fans decided enough was enough, myself included.

What on earth has happened up at the football club? The defence today was shocking, it needs to be sorted, and NOW! If we are as bad at the back again on Saturday then we will be beaten again. There was just so many negatives from this game. McLoughlin did not look the world beater he is supposed to be, but lets give him time. Banks in net, though he did make some good saves, does not seem to give the defence confidence, and the sooner Neil Edwards returns the better. Platt and Connor up front just didn't seem to click. Platt was off his game, but he is allowed to have a bad day once in a while

Positive points from today, well Wayne Evans was brilliant as usual, you have to feel sorry for him, he gave it his all at the back but his team mates let him down. McCourt drifted in and out of the game, but the fact is, the boy has talent. Our new strategy should be 'Give the bloody thing to Paddy, and let him run at em!' He caused problems with his running at the defence. The new signing up front McEvilly looks to be a good signing. He got stuck in and maybe should be given a chance instead of Connor, who couldn't hit a barn door at the moment.

All in all, we were poor, and lets just hope that things are sorted out this week, because if we play like this at Exeter on Saturday then we will be punished. Up The Dale.

Photo: Action Images

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