Rochdale Reserves 0
Wrexham Reserves 3
Central League (West Division)


Rochdale Reserves

0 - 3
HT: 0-1

Wrexham Reserves


Central League (West Division)
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
Dark Lane, Rossendale United FC
2:00pm kick-off


Goalscorers
None. Rob Duffy (3)
Marc Williams (59)
Rob Duffy (66)

Team Managers
Unknown. Brian Little

Starting Eleven
Unknown. Michael Jones .1
Wes Baynes .2
Chris Marriott .3
Robbie Garrett .4
Mike Williams .5
Lee Jones .6
Mike Carvill .7
Andy Fleming .8
Rob Duffy .9
Marc Williams .10
Sam Aiston .11

Bench
None. Jamie Price .12
Vinnie Whelan .13
Paul Williams .14
Mark Stewart .15
Mark Head .16

Substitutions
None. Jamie Price for Chris Marriott (23)
Paul Williams for Mike Williams (76)

Cautions
None. None.

Red Cards
None. None.

Match Officials




Match Report


Rob Duffy marked his Dragons’ debut after joining on loan from Blue Square Premier side Oxford United with a double as the Dragons romped to a comfortable victory over a young Rochdale side at Rossendale United’s Dark Lane ground. Whilst the final margin of victory was convincing enough it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that with better finishing the final tally could easily have been in double figures.

Indeed Duffy had seven decent opportunities in the first half alone, yet all he had to show for his efforts at the break was the third minute strike that opened the scoring. It all started with a long clearance by Michael Jones that Marc Williams helped on and Duffy, stretching, hooked the ball past the advancing Stephen Collins from the edge of the box. He should have doubled the lead within two minutes when Andy Fleming’s incisive pass inside the left back allowed Mike Carvill to put over an inviting centre but Duffy scuffed his half volley.

On 12 minutes Collins was fortunate when he let the ball roll through his legs and towards the goal. The defence managed to scramble the ball away but Carvill put it back in and Duffy’s shot just cleared the bar with the keeper well beaten. Duffy and Fleming then both saw efforts blocked and Marc Williams put a first-time half volley just over as the Dragons continued to dominate the play. Duffy put a free header from a Wes Baynes free kick narrowly wide, Carvill crashed a right foot shot against the underside of the crossbar from 16 yards, and Duffy saw a fine curling shot from 20 yards out drift unluckily wide.

On 35 minutes Fleming sprayed a superb pass out to Carvill on the right and the Irishman’s cross was met firmly by Duffy but the on-loan striker shot inches over. Simon Williams saw a 25-yarder fly only a few inches wide as ‘Dale briefly halted the one-way nature of the game but normal service was quickly restored and Collins saved from Marc Williams, Baynes fired just wide from 20 yards, and Carvill somehow didn’t force a teasing Sam Aiston cross over the line from close range with the goal at his mercy.

As the rain started to fall the second half started and continued in a similar fashion to the first. On 52 minutes Carvill was unlucky when the ball bobbled just as he was setting himself to shoot inside the box and then, after being put clear on goal, he saw Collins block another effort with his legs. However the relentless pressure had to tell eventually and the inevitable second goal finally arrived on 59 minutes when Collins could only parry away Carvill’s 20-yard strike and Marc Williams was on hand to steer home the rebound from about 10 yards out for his fourth League goal of the season to add to his brace in the friendly against Chester City the previous week.

Michael Jones saved from substitute Daniel Anderson in a rare Rochdale raid but in the 66th minute the three points were all but assured when Collins had to race off his line to head the ball away but it fell kindly to Duffy 25 yards out who neatly found the net with a right-foot shot. A flowing move down the right-hand side involving Fleming and Aiston saw the latter pull the ball back to Duffy, who in turn helped the ball on to Marc Williams. The Wales U21 international controlled the ball with his chest near the penalty spot and turned but steered a right foot shot just wide.

Carvill then had a goal disallowed for offside, Collins parried a Baynes 25-yard shot and Marc Williams saw a diving header saved by the home custodian but there was to be no further goals. But this was a convincing performance nonetheless and one that provided some warmth to the hardy Dragons followers that braved a cold night in Lancashire.



Manager's Programme Notes