Dale were on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline, Kidderminster the opponents this time and a very bad day overall was made worse when we looked at the table. Match report and ratings online.

Another home defeat for Rochdale today, this time at home to Kidderminster Harriers saw Dale slump to 17th in the league and just 5 points off the relegation zone and a very poor display was greeted with booing from the home supporters at the end of the game.

Dale went into the game with the team that everyone was hoping for and the arrival of Gary Jones was met with much expectation from the home supporters.  The Dale team was Edwards in net, Evans at right back, Simon Grand kept his place at left back, Burgess and Griffiths started in central defence.  Leo Bertos was on the right wing, Patrick McCourt on the left wing and Sean McClare partnered Gary Jones in the midfield.  Lee McEvilly partnered Kevin Townson up front again.  Chris Beech, Matt Gilks, Matt Doughty, Michael Simpkins and Mickael Antoine-Curier were on the bench for the Dale.

Rochdale nearly took a 6 minute lead when Townson was left with a shot that should have been in but he hit it straight at the keeper unfortunately.

Gary Jones was impressing in his comeback for Dale with endless running and some top quality passing.  He was definitely what we missed but unfortunately it wasn't going to be a great comeback for Jonah.

Kidderminster began to get back into the game and apply some pressure and should have taken the lead midway through the first half when Griffiths was beaten for pace Parrish blasted a shot over the bar when it seemed easier to score.

With the pressure began to mount up on the Dale defence, Kidderminster finally broke the deadlock on 35 minutes when Matt Gadsby finished off a John Williams cross into the bottom left hand corner leaving Edwards with no chance.

Then if going a goal down wasn't bad enough, Dale fans who were enjoying the way Gary Jones was performing, were left gutted at the sight of him being carried off with what looked to be a serious injury.  Early signs suggest it is a broken foot, the same bloody foot he did last time and he was sent to hospital for an x-ray.  To say I was gutted would be an understatement!

The half time break saw Alan Buckley use his 2 other available substitutes and this was somewhat shocking to Dale fans around me but it turned out that Lee McEvilly was taken off because of a leg injury but Daryl Burgess was brought off for tactical reasons?!?!?!.  However!  Dale were soon rescued by the saviours that were................Michael Simpkins!  and Mickael Antoine-Curier!  That's is we were saved!

Dale had chances to equalise in the second half, the first coming from Gareth Griffiths who looked our best chance of a goal and his header was saved by the Kidderminster keeper.  Griffiths entered the book soon after when his elbow caught the Kidderminster player but it seemed to be very accidental!  Leo Bertos had already been in the book for a stupid reason, that being kicking the ball away.

Kidderminster nearly doubled their lead when Gadsby forced an excellent save from Neil Edwards who had to be at his best to keep it out.

Dale's day got worse, or better, depending which way you look at it as Michael Simpkins limped off with a hamstring injury which should keep him out for a few weeks!  Unfortunately Buckley had made all his substitutions and Dale had to play with 10 men for the rest of the game with Simon Grand having to play 2 positions.

The fans made their feelings known by refusing to watch the game and concentrated on the very lovely fireworks display behind the WMG stand!

Wayne Evans made a mistake which let in the Kiddy substitute and female player Bo Henrikson who did brilliantly to get a good effort on goal but just as it looked like it was going in, Neil Edwards tipped it over the bar.

Unfortunately it stayed that way and the defeat means its 4 successive league defeats and a tough trip to Southend is next on the list and we haven't had much luck there in recent years so lets just hope that god is smiling down on us!

Player Ratings:

Neil Edwards 7 Made some good saves and kept the score down

Wayne Evans 6 Not as solid as usual, his distribution let him down a bit and he was 2nd best against the winger he was up against

Simon Grand 5 Poor game for Grandy, first half especially.

GARETH GRIFFITHS 7 M.O.M for me, was very solid and had it not been for a combination of good defending and poor finishing it would have been a cricket score

Daryl Burgess 6 Played OK but went off injured at half time.

Leo Bertos 6 Quite ineffective today.  Got down the wing a lot but his final ball was lacking

Patrick McCourt 7 Always looked dangerous but still can't shake off the needless criticism from some Sandy supporters.

Sean McClare 7 Him and Jones looked very good and he worked hard throughout.

Gary Jones 7 Played well until he was taken off with a suspected broken foot.  Absolutely gutted.

Lee McEvilly 6 Won nothing in the air and didn't really pose a threat

Kevin Townson 7 Caught offside a few times but looked quite dangerous

Subs:  

Chris Beech 6 Did OK while he was on AND didn't get injured!

Michael Simpkins 5 Went off injured but even in the short time he was on he was caught out a few times

Mickael Antoine-Curier 5 Worse than Evil when he came on, time he was released and we brought someone else in I think

Photo: Action Images

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