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Vs rochdale 
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Arrived late. Lost early.


The Reds arrived at Spotland with only thirty minutes to spare when they were caught up in heavy traffic on the M6, but it took Rochdale only two minutes to reach their destination.

We had fallen for our old failing of being unable to defend at corners.
From a corner conceded by Ian Joy, who was replacing the injured Scott Stamps, old timer Tony Ford curled the ball in for Gareth Griffiths to rise unmarked and head the ball into the back of the net past the helpless Stuart Brock.

After that early upset the Reds then took the game by the scruff of the neck and gave one of their best displays of the season so far.

We almost drew level after 7 mins when Ben Davies just missed connecting with Shiltons cross and could only watch as 'Dales Bayliss almost sliced the ball past his own keeper.

After a couple of chances for Rochdale from Oliver and Ford the Harriers had their first clear chance of a goal when Hadley met Dean Bennetts cross but wasted the chance with a strong header that went wide of the goal.

Benny then had his turn to try and score when he spotted the keeper off his line and tried a lob but Gilks just managed to get back to stop it from going in.

Then it was Tony Birds turn to try his luck with one of his trademark free kicks that forced Gilks to dive to his left to push the ball away to safety.

Rochdale then tried their luck with their first real attempt since scoring when Townson let fly from only five yards out but Brockie was equal to it and produced a point blank save.

Bennett came close again almost on the stroke of half time when his 30yd shot almost deceived Gilks who just managed to get his fingers to it.

HT. 1-0

After the half time talks it was Rochdale who came up with the more positive answer by cutting off the supply to Bird and Shilton.

Clive Platt came up with the first chance of the half for Dale when his hopeful cross almost fooled Brockie but from the rebound he made a superb save from ex Macc striker Keiron Durkan.

Then a few minutes later Brockie flapped for the first time in the game when he failed to clear properly after pressure from Durkan.

Townson had the next chance to test Brock but his chip from twenty yards out landed on top of the net.

After 65 minutes Jan decided it was time for a change and he took off Stewart Hadley to be replaced with Drewe Broughton.

Dean came close again a minute later but his weak header was easily saved by the young Rochdale keeper.

But then Rochdale finished off all hope of a Harriers comeback when we fell for the sucker punch.
In an almost carbon copy of the first goal Griffiths again rose above the static defence to knock Fords corner past the hapless Brock.

Although we lost this game there were many positive points, one of which was the fine displays from Bennett and Brock.
But sadly there is the less than positive display from our two main strikers to worry about.

FT. 2-0



TEAMS:

Harriers.
Brock, Clarkson, Hinton, Smith, Joy, Bird, Williams, Davies, Shilton, Bennett, Hadley.
Subs;  Murphy, Broughton, Foster, Ducros, Shail.

Rochdale.
Gilks, Evans, Griffiths, Bayliss, McAuley, Ford, Jones, Oliver, Durkan, Platt, Townson.
Subs;  Baker, Doughty, Flitcroft, Todd, Connor.

CARDS;
Yellow. Harriers 0.
Yellow. Rochdale 0.

Red. Harriers 0.
Red. Rochdale 0.

Referee;G Cain (Liverpool).


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