Tranmere Rovers 0-0 Rochdale

Dale bounced back from Saturday’s humiliating defeat with a much more solid performance at Tranmere although three points were there for the taking. Brett Ormerod, Jean Louis Akpa-Akpro & Jason Kennedy went close for Rochdale whilst Peter Kurucz had to be alert to deny Akin, Welsh and Stockton.

Caretaker manager Chris Beech wanted a response from the players after the 5-1 mauling 3 days ago by Stevenage. The temporary manager made 4 changes to his starting eleven with Amankwaah replacing the suspended Widdowson, Darby in place of Holness whilst there were also starts for Barry-Murphy & Akpa-Akpro.

The visitors started the game very brightly and had 2 chances very early on. Akpa-Akpro went close with a right footed effort from the edge of the area which grazed the post whilst Jones warmed the hands of Rachubka with a stinging drive. At the other end Kurucz had to be alert to deny Welsh and Weir in routine saves.

Rochdale felt they should have had a penalty 13 minutes in when Barry-Murphy was upended but Referee Waugh waived away any appeals.

The home side should have taken the lead on 15 minutes through former Dale trialist Lucas Akins. A free-kick on the half way line was headed into a dangerous area by Taylor but Akins’ free header from 6 yards was pushed away by Kurucz.

Three minutes later and it was Dale’s turn to rue a missed opportunity. Jordan’s deep cross was met by Brett Ormerod but the on loan Blackpool striker’s header went just the wrong side of the bar.

The second half began in much the same way as the first with Dale on top. Ormerod used great skill to ‘nutmeg’ Holmes to release Akpa-Akpro down the left. The Frenchman went one-on-one with Rachubka with the keeper winning the battle of whit’s when he stuck out a leg to block the close range shot. Jason Kennedy on the follow up thought he had the easy task of slotting the ball into the virtually unguarded net but Rochdale born Tranmere defender David Buchanan blocked on the line.

Referee Waugh had allowed some pushing and shoving all game but when Barry-Murphy slid in to make a perfect tackle on the edge of the area, the official deemed it unfair and booked the Dale man. From the free-kick, Rovers substitute Joss Labadie struck the outside of the post via a deflection.

With the game drifting towards stalemate, both teams pushed forward but neither could break the deadlock. Darby sent a dipping volley just over whilst a rare mistake in a solid debut for Amankwaah allowed Stockton a shot at goal which was superbly blocked by Kurucz although it is debatable as to how much the on loan stopper knew about it.

All in all a much improved performance by Dale although just one win in 7 still leaves them deep in trouble at the bottom of League One. Saturday’s game at Wycombe takes on huge importance as it’s a chance to open up a gap on teams below.

Chris Beech said: “I’m pleased with the clean sheet but disappointed we didn’t get the 3 points. Jean Louis went through one v one, Jason Kennedy’s chance saved on the line Brett’s (Ormerod) header just over and I would like to see the challenge on Barry-Murphy in the first half again, as I felt that was a penalty. I’m a resilient person. I’m a character that will keep driving forward and I won’t accept anything but the best from myself, my staff and my players. That was evident at Walsall and against Preston. It wasn’t evident at Hartlepool and Stevenage on Saturday; well we have drawn a line under that one. Amankwaah is a right back with pace but we needed him to sit in the centre tonight and he had a great debut. He’s a permanent acquisition that makes Rochdale Football Club stronger and better along with the loans that are here because I’m here and because Ryan Kidd is here. Fact.”


Att: 4153

Rochdale: Kurucz, Jordan, Holden, Amankwaah, Darby, Ormerod, Jones (c), Kennedy, Barry-Murphy, Bogdanovic (Abadaki 80), Akpa-Akpro

Subs (not used): Grimes, Lucas, Adams, Tutte

Tranmere Rovers: Rachubka, Goodison (Labadie 72), McChrystal. Welsh (c), Weir, Taylor, Holmes, Buchanan, Akins (Stockton 84), Elford-Alliyu, Devaney

Subs (not used): Kay, Coughlin, Power

Referee: Mr J Waugh
Ass Referee: Mr S Oldham & Mr G Hilton
4th Official: Mr K Mattocks