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Report: Wolves 3 Dale 1
Report: Wolves 3 Dale 1
Monday, 1st Jan 2001 10:21 by Mark Halliwell

Dale were cruelly dumped out of the FA Cup by Uriah Rennie and his officials, as they allowed two offside goals to stand, as brave Dale went down 3-1 at Wolves.

We can stand with hand on heart now and say that we are proud to be a Dale fan. We took a battering in the first half, but managed to go in just 1-0 down. Then for the next 30 minutes Dale were all over Wolves and fully deserved a replay, however two goals that were in no doubt miles offside were allowed to stand, by the cheating officials.

It comes as no surprise to Dale fans though, as soon as we found out Rennie was in charge, our hopes seemingly went out of the window. But a fine second half performance from Dale brought back all our hopes, only for them to be dashed once again.

This is the first time this season I have bothered to criticise a refereeing performance, I usually leave that to the Cullenwatch Committee, but tonight as a shambles. Dale were awarded 3 free kicks in the entire match, Wolves somewhere around 20-25 in total. If it wasn't enough for Dale to have to face the hostile Wolves crowd, and national television, they were submitted to the ridiculous Rennie and his blind linesman as well.

Dale were without Oli, Connor and Edwards as expected. Hill and Warner both kept their places in the team. Melaugh gained a recall in place of Beech who was not on the bench. Evil was up front in place of Super Kev.

The first half was really all Wolves though, and to be fair we really rode our luck at times, and did well in truth to get in at the break just 1 goal down. The goal came from a corner, which we failed to clear. It fell to Ndah, 8 yards out and his low shot somehow squirmed under Gilks body.

The second half saw Dale finally settle down after the nerves of the first half and a goal wasn't far away. Simmo picked up the ball and ran at the Wolves defence, hitting a low shot from 25 yards, it clipped Melaugh on the way to goal and nestled in the bottom corner.

Dale though seemingly sat back then, and invited Wolves pressure again. Could we hold on? Well the officials made their minds up for us. No. Wolves took the lead once again. A low shot at goal was saved well by Gilks, but the ball rebounded to Miller who was in an offside position from the first shot. The linesman chose to completely ignore it, and Miller slotted the ball past a hapless Gilks.

Dale tried for an equaliser. A excellent cross from Hill was glanced goal-wards by Platt by it was saved, and Evil was fouled blatantly twice on the edge of the box, but Rennie as usual chose to ignore it, and continued in his allegiance to the home side.

As Dale were attacking they were caught out at the back. Hill's mistake led to a cross field ball from Rae to Cameron, whose cross to the far post to an offside Proudlock was tapped in. Decision not given again. Dale suffer once again.

Hard not to feel disappointed tonight, but absolute full credit must go to the boys for the fight. They showed true spirit to get back into the game, and with fair officials, we may well have gained a replay. We took the battering we got in the first half and we fought back into the game. All I can say tonight though is, boys we are proud of you.

Photo: Action Images



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