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Archived News from February 2004

SPORT FIRST REPORT
8th February 2004 16:30


Sport First match report:
Transcribed by Carole

By Paul Francis

Dale keep up with Jonesy

ROCHDALE boss Steve Parkin praised his side after they clinched a vital home win.

“I am delighted after a poor performance at Darlington last week,” he said. “It was like watching a different team, and I got the feeling from the first few minutes that we were really up for it.

“Once the goals started going in I looked at Mansfield's body language and knew there was going to be only one winner.”

Rochdale skipper Gary Jones led from the front with an excellent display. He showed his side's intent with two early long-range efforts that just missed the target.

Dale took the lead after 12 minutes when full-back Wayne Evans played in striker Paul Connor and he was dragged down by Stags' goalkeeper Kevin Pilkington. Jones stepped up to dispatch the spot-kick with ease.

The second goal arrived in the 27th minute when new signing Grant Holt's diving header crept over the line from Bertos' corner.

Pilkington tipped over a deflected shot from Sean McClare and made a decent stop when Connor broke clear again.

Mansfield manager Keith Curle made two changes after the interval in a bid to shake up his lacklustre side. Town did rally briefly, with Liam Lawrence testing Dale keeper Neil Edwards with a fierce drive.

But their hosts were threatening on the break and Connor crashed a shot against the woodwork after outpacing Dimech.

Rochdale chalked up a third goal after 54 minutes when Bertos curled in a superb free-kick from the edge of the box after Jones had been fouled.

The home side should have had more as Mansfield ran out of steam, but Connor blazed over from 10-yards and the hard-working Holt drew a magnificent block from the overworked Pilkington.

Mansfield boss Keith Curle said: “It was hard to be a manager and sit on the sidelines watching a performance like that.

“There was a lack of urgency and we defended very poorly.

“The supporters are entitled to boo because they have seen their team give a bad account of themselves.”

Rochdale ……………… Mansfield
49-----------Possession %---- 51
10-----------Corners------------7
6------------Offsides-------------2
8------------Fouls----------------11
2------------Yellow Cards------2
0------------Red Cards-----------0
11-----------Shots on Target---5
5------------Shots off Target----4
0------------Hit Woodwork----0

 

Latest | February 2004