Username
Password
Rochdale (A)
By Chris Thompson November 20 2005
"We snatched a draw from the jaws if victory." Once you've got round that little number, you'll have the story in a few simple words.
2-2

Spotland, Rochdale

Saturday 20th November
1 Chris MacKenzie 1 Matt Gilks
3 Carl Regan 3 Tony Gallimore
5 Phil Bolland 7 Lee Cartwright
7 Stuart Drummond 10 Grant Holt
8 Michael Branch 11 Gary Jones
10 Ryan Lowe 12 Alan Goodall
11 Tom Curtis 15 Rory McArdle
14 Ben Davies 16 Tony Jaszczun
15 Dave Artell 18 Jamie Clarke
22 Scott McNiven 19 Blair Sturrock
23 Marcus Richardson 27 Gary Brown
Chester Subsitutes Rochdale Subsitutes
2 Stephen Vaughan 8 Neil Brisco
6 Luke Dimech 10 Paul Tait
17 Craig Dove 14 Scott Warner
20 Tom Curle 17 Rickie Lambert
30 Justin Walker 20 Jon Boardman
breakdown
Chester were unable to defend a 2 goal lead as they allowed Rochdale to steal two points, in an entertaining encounter at Spotland.
Two goals in the final 20 minutes undid a solid Chester defence, which had to withstand alot of pressure from the host side.
It was tough for Chester to swallow, but it was a good encounter, which threatened to repeat something like the last time the two sides met in October.
That time ended in defeat for Chester. An excellent game saw Chester 2 goals down, before completing a comeback, to be knocked back right at the end, by a third and final killer goal for Rochdale.
However, this time, it was the Blues who went 2-0 up. And this time it was the Blues who conceded their lead to two goals. In the end, it forced a draw, and Chester were not going to repeat Rochdale's feat in October, and score a winning goal.
The winner, however, looked like it would more likely come Rochdale's way. A dominant second-half performance saw them take the share of posession, and the majority of shooting attempts.
The first 45 meanwhile, produced attractive, attacking football from both sides, characteristic of the football played in Keith Curle's alledged 'honeymoon period' by some fans.

chester city lined up
Chris McKenzie kept his unchallenged spot in goal, and Carl Regan, Phil Bolland, Dave Artell and Scott McNiven made up the rearguard in Curle's favoured 4-4-2 formation.
Luke Dimech made way for Phil Bolland - as chestercity.co.nr had suggested might happen on Friday - after Keith Curle admitted he expected his defender to get on the scoresheet this season.
Stewart Drummond centred the midfield alongside Tom Curtis, while Ben Davies ran the left side. Ryan Lowe, Michael Branch and Marcus Richardson alternated the spare right midfield space between their attacking duties, as Curle kept 10 players in his starting line up from the home draw with Northampton last Saturday.
Amongst the substitutes sat Craig Dove, Justin Walker, Stephen Vaughan, Tom Curle and Luke Dimech, as Curle surprisingly opted to drop Abdul El Kholti altogether.

the goals
Phil Bolland (20) Ben Davies crosses from the right, and Matt Gilks spilled the ball in front of him. In the right place at the right time, it's an easy tap in for Phil Bolland's first of the season.
Ben Davies (64) Ryan Lowe delivers from the left to an awaiting Davies, who volleys home a superb finsih from 15 yeards.
Blair Sturrock (70) Sturrock drills home from close range, giving MacKenzie no chance.
Rickie Lambert (82) A low free-kick from Lambert, who hammered it through the Chester wall - he'd only come on as a sub 3 minutes earlier
Goodnight from chestercity.co.nr

For a full match report from the official website, hop across to chestercityfc.net

chestercity.co.nr

Bookmark or share this story with:

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS

Chester City latest threads

Chester City Poll

Should Chris MacKenzie be replaced in goal?
£25 free bet with Paddy Power