Match Report (13.04.99) - Cambridge 1 Dale 1
Thursday, 2nd Aug 2007 09:09

Against all the odds, Dale came very close to snatching all three points away from promotion chasing Cambridge. The form book was turned completely upside down, and Dale were only denied a win by a late goal which looked suspiciously offside.

On paper, this was a terrific point. A draw away at the league leaders, considering recent form, was far more than could have been expected. Indeed, when the team was announced with less strikers than the Nottinghamshire Miners, it looked like Dale's recent goal drought would continue. However, Dale almost completed the ultimate smash and grab, and could have walked away with all three points.

Dale started the game with five centre halves in the team, with a return to the starting line up for Keith Hill, whose recent haircut makes him look like Mark Stuart. Morris was playing up front on his own. However Carden was given a bit of freedom to push up, and played more like the attacking midfielder we have seen than the right wing back he looks uncomfortable with.

Cambridge started very brightly and looked to have the perfect balance. They have a strong physical team, especially in the forward department, but they also play some excellent football along the ground, a contrast to the Beck era Cambridge. (incidentally, John Beck was spotted hanging around after the match). They played some really pretty football, with neat passing displays straight off the training ground. With the league position, it is no surprise that their end was full.

The U's came close to scoring a couple of times early on, but were prevented firstly by a superb Dave Bayliss tackle, and then by Neil Edwards rushing out of his goal. Cambridge had a strong wind behind them in the first half, and it caused Dale all sort of problems. Attempted clearances would not even reach the centre circle, and this led to Dale being under the kosh for long periods.

After soaking up much of the pressure, Dale managed to do what they had failed to do in their previous three games and score a goal. A super cross was put in from the left which went beyond the far post to Gareth Stoker who rose like a salmon to loop the ball over the Cambridge keeper into the back of the net to put the Dale in front.

After this it was always going to be a defensive display, but we looked very comfortable with it. Half time came and it gave Dale a chance to catch their breath.

The second half saw Dale with the wind at their backs, which helped at times. Many a time saw Dale hoof the ball clear, but the second half was a great display by Dale. The defending was top rate. Fair enough we conceded a late goal, but almost without exception the players were superb and showed we all know that they are capable of bringing success to this club. It may have been back to the wall stuff at times, but they defended magnificently, and at times looked the more likely side to score. Morris had one of his best games caused the home defence all sort of problems, despite being a lone striker. Peakey delivered some breathtaking passes. The much criticised Stoker had a super game, throwing himself into tackle after tackle. The return of Hill gave the defence more confidence, and Hilly got involved with a bit of handbags at one stage with veteran U's striker John Taylor.

Perhaps Dale's best player on the night was Paul Carden, who when pushed forward, showed his potential and the reason why he was voted player of the month on these pages a little while ago. He showed neat trickery and bravery in the tackles, but enjoyed no luck at all at the hands of the referee. Playing almost as a winger, he caused problem after problem for the league leaders. Let's hope that recent rumours of him re-signing for next year prove to be true.

The Cambridge goal came with a couple of minutes to go. There was a high ball over the top, and as the Dale defence moved out, Walker darted in to fire the ball home past Neil Edwards. Stoker and Bryson went bonkers at the linesman claiming an offside, but it was hard to see from the restricted view away end. Both were booked from their outburst, but local radio suggests Walker was five yards offside and he admitted to it afterwards.

The Dale players were naturally gutted, but following the restart went pressing forward looking for a winner they so richly deserved, but it was not to be. Morris got a couple of great opportunities, but could not quite get his shot in. After three minutes of injury time awarded because of Dale time wasting (yes we were to be fair), the ref blew his whistle. There was no Barrow Out, the players got a standing ovation from the travelling army for their efforts. We may have conceded a late goal but we were all thankful for a great performance. However it raises the question again, if we can take points off the big teams, Cardiff, Cambridge, Brentford, Scunthorpe, Orient, why do we get beaten by the little poor teams at the bottom, Scarboro, Hartlepool, Hull?

Photo: Action Images

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