I apologise for a shorter report on last nights game because due to a computer error I have just lost the whole report and 90 minutes workand just don't have the time to write it all again!
Smith 8 MOM At least three match winning reaction saves and more than made up for Saturdays error. Received treatment for about five minutes early on for an injury sustained when bravely flinging himself at the forwards feet when he parried an awkward shot and getting to the ball first he was to go on to probably be the difference between winning and losing. He was very unlucky not to stop the second goal with superb reactions and the other goal was surely handball.
Partington 7 Another goal to make three so far with a brilliantly executed header from Lines cross. Sound performance all round although he lacks a bit of pace he makes up for that with a bit of quality and although he does not get forward as much as Leadbitter he delivers more quality in his crosses and for me edges Leads on basic defending.
Broadbent 5.5 Some will say I have been harsh on a player who strides majestically out of defence with the ball and more often than not delivers an accurate pass however I rate a defender on the number of errors they make and last night he made a number of basic errors each which could have ended in a goal conceded, twice he stood on the ball and allowed a player past but he will learn from this as he is inexperienced which it is easy to forget with so many masterful displays recently. I would describe last nights display as brilliant most of the time but errors could have lost us the game on another occasion.
Craig 7 A great leader who plays by example. Knows when to pass a ball and when to put it into row Z. Surely he will soon be Captain where he has vast experience to lead others and can help team mates through difficult moments during the game. He is an accomplished player and his signing is a great move by DC and made even more important by the continued absence of Tom Lockyer.
Brown 7 Lee is back to his best so it is a shame about his injury near the end which looks like a groin strain. defended well and attacked regularly down the flanks. I very much hope that rumours of him leaving in the Summer are total nonsense as he still has a lot to offer the club.
Lines 7 A stunning winning goal which really makes you wonder why he doesn't shoot more often. He is right back to form and on the ball can be one of the best midfielders in this division. Set up the goal for Partington with a pin point cross.
Clarke 4 Disappointing game where he went missing far too much and was rightfully substituted.
Sinclair 5 Another who struggled to get into the game but the difference between him and Clarke is that even when not at his best his general fitness ensures he is still always involved and getting stuck in.
Sercombe 7 Got better as the game went on and scored the vital equaliser at a time when we didn't really look like scoring. His performance last night was a lot more hard working than recently and he looked far better after the substitutions that allowed him to play just behind the striker and central. It would be great if he can be fitted in a formation that enables him to shine rather than just fitted somewhere in the team.
Nichols 4 Not at the races again. One moment of sheer brilliant control to bring down a high ball and make space for himself in the first half shows what he does possess but what more can be done to get him back to the player he was? I would have thought the chance to play with two wingers might have been what he needed but unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) he was one of the players substituted. He had one real chance where he broke clean through and was wrongly flagged offside but he missed it anyway by taking it too close to the keeper.
Gaffney 7 Battled for everything and deserved a goal but it was not to be last night. Can't fault his effort and commitment but doesn't always get the protection from referees but he was probably lucky to stay on the pitchy for an elbow in the first half.
Subs
Bola 7 Came on and gave a solid display of good running both defensively and in attacking.
Bennett 7 Some delightful touches and not sure why he didn't start. Looks a very tidy player and I hope he is not going to be another player who warms the bench rather than supporters hearts.
Moore 7.5 At last we saw the Byron Moore that I knew existed in the past. Sparkling cameo appearance of skill, running and the ability to beat a player. Brilliantly set up the winning goal beating his player and laying the ball across to Sercombe who dummied it to allow Lines the space to fire a "Bodin" into the roof of the net .One of the best goals of the season. I very much hope that Moore will now get a start on Saturday and a run of games to see if he can make the right wing spot his own. We have now seen what he can do!
Crowd 7 A good crowd for a Tuesday night against lowly opposition but I have marked down for the ridiculous song when Byron Moore was brought on. All players should get 100% support during the game and mocking a player whose confidence is already pretty low is no use whatsoever. It was great that Byrons performance last night answered his critics.
Ref 4 Far too lenient although that was probably good for Gaffney who elbowed an opponent in the first half and for a Rochdale player who did the same later. missed what looked an obvious handball on their first goal and over ruled his linesman who probably got the decision right.
Rochdale 7 A good side who belied their position
DC well we won again so he got it right...in the end. Do wish he would approach the game against lesser opposition with a more attacking line up but he is the Manager and a bloody good one at that and yet again he has turned what was a dismal season into one of hope. Three more wins and our status is preserved for another season but that will not be good enough for our Manager so hopefully exciting times ahead.
So we head into a revenge game on Saturday against a team who tore us apart at the mem. Personally I would go with an attacking line up
Smith
Partington Craig (Capt) Sweeney Bola
Moore Lines Sercombe Bennett
Harrison Gaffney
Brave I know but I fully expect a team similar to last night or rather similar to Oxford with Bola in for Brown. UTG
