[Archived] Match Report: Rochdale 2 - 1 Blackburn Rovers

[Kamy100]

Parsonblue's report from last night's game:

Tuesday 21st July 2015 – Pre-Season Friendly

Rochdale 2 v 1 Blackburn Rovers

Rochdale (1) 2

Henderson 32, Henderson 83

Josh Lillis; Andrew Cannon, Oliver Lancashire, Jimmy McNulty, Scott Tanser; Donal McDermott (Lewis Alessandra 70), Jamie Allen, Matthew Lund (CallumCamps 53), Peter Vincenti (Calvin Andrew 70), Joe Bunney (Reuben Noble-Lazarus 76);Ian Henderson.

Subs not used: Jonathan DibaMusangu, Joe Rafferty, Michael Rose, Tom Kennedy, James Hooper.

Manager: Keith Hill

Blackburn Rovers (1) 1

Williamson 19

David Raya (Andrew Fisher 76), Adam Henley (Lewis Travis 76), Grant Hanley (Matthew Platt 76), Duffy (Mark Edgar 76), Olsson (Jack Doyle 76); Connor Mahoney (David Carson 66), Lee Williamson (Connor Thomson 76), Jason Lowe (Willem Tomlinson 46), Craig Conway (Luke Wall 76); Ben Marshall (Dean Rittenberg 76), John O’Sullivan (Jordan Preston 76).

Subs not used: Modou Cham, Joe Grayson.

Manager: Gary Bowyer

Referee: Mr. A. Haines

Bookings: None

Attendance: 1,369

It has been noticeable in recent years that the Rovers approach to pre-season games has changed dramatically. Once upon a time, in the dim and distant past, these could be fairly competitive affairs, perhaps just a notch or two down from League games. Today they are all about fitness with Sports Science staff ensuring that players all get a certain amount of “competitive” action which results in numerous substitutions which can impact on the flow of the game. So it was at Spotland. Nonetheless, for the most part this was a fairly entertaining encounter with both sides enjoying spells of possession in which they threatened. With many of the senior players having featured in a “behind closed doors” game against Crewe Alexandra in the morning, it was a rather youthful squad that travelled to Rochdale. Indeed, for the final quarter of an hour, Gary Bowyer stepped back a little and handed over to Damien Johnson’s and John Filan’s youthful Under-21 squad. It was during this period that the more experienced campaigners of the home side took control and sealed the win.

The home side, managed by former Rover Keith Hill, made the brighter start to the game and after just six minutes Donal McDermott played the perfect ball for Ian Henderson to nip in, turn and send in a left-foot shot which went across David Raya and against the foot of the far post before it bounced away to be cleared. Joe Bunney then curled an effort from the edge of the area which flew wide.

Gradually, the Rovers began to find their feet with the main threat coming down the left flank via Marcus Olsson and Craig Conway. It was neat play down this wing that presented the Rovers with their first chance of the game when Olsson was tripped as he raced towards the area. Ben Marshall took the free-kick and curled it over the wall but Josh Lillis, at full stretch, managed to push the ball away.

However, the Rovers didn’t have long to wait before they broke the deadlock. Jimmy McNulty presented the ball to Lee Williamson, in the middle of the park, and the defensive midfielder accepted the gift and raced forward before he struck a low hard shot past Lillis from the edge of the penalty area.

Undeterred, the home side came back and Henderson met a cross from Scott Tanser but his stooping header was straight at Raya.

The Rovers might well have snatched a second thanks to the generosity of a linesman who incurred the wrath of the home fans. A long ball was played through to John O’Sullivan who looked at least a couple of yards offside but the flag inexplicably stayed down as the young Irishman rounded Lillis and pushed the ball towards goal before Matthew Lund stuck out a leg and managed to back flick the ball off the line and away for a corner.

Rochdale came back immediately and once again it was Henderson who almost snatched an equaliser. Jamie Allen played him in but the striker struggled to get the ball under control and from a tight angle he lifted his effort over Raya and the bar.

The home side’s efforts were finally rewarded after 32 minutes when Adam Henley gifted the ball away and Allen collected it, moved forward and then played in Henderson with a perfectly weighted pass. The striker had managed to get behind the Rovers defence and coolly slotted the ball home with the outside of his right foot which gave Raya no chance of saving.

The Rovers came back well with O’Sullivan, playing in an unfamiliar role up front with Marshall, having a greater influence on proceedings. A flowing move ended with the young Irishman setting up Williamson who struck another fine twenty yard effort which Lillis did well to save. A minute later O’Sullivan chested the ball down – although the home fans cried for ‘handball’ – controlled it and then lobbed the stranded Lillis only to see his effort land just wide of the goal.

On the stroke of half-time a wonderful flowing move down the left ended with O’Sullivan cutting inside, leaving Lund in his wake, before unleashing a pile driver from twenty-five yards which beat Lillis but struck the left-hand post and rebounded away.

Both sides could feel content with a draw at the interval as both sides had enjoyed periods of possession and created chances.

Interestingly, during the interval, Damien Johnson and John Filan oversaw a group of 13 Under-21/Under-18 players being put through their paces as it became clear that the Rovers were going to make major changes to the line-up at some point during the second period.

The home side made no changes at the break but Gary Bowyer introduced Willem Tomlinson for Jason Lowe. This had been Lowe’s first forty-five minutes of action since his injury earlier in the year and it was no surprise that the manager should want to ease him back into the action without taking unnecessary risks with a player who is likely to be key component in the midfield during the coming season.

Rochdale had the first chance of the half when McDermott’s cross found the head of Henderson at the back post but his header lacked power and Raya had no difficulty in collecting.

The home side were forced to make a change when Lund limped off and was replaced by Callum Camps and the new man was quickly into the action when he fired in a fierce effort from distance which Raya turned around the post.

The home side made more changes and started to increase the pressure on the Rovers with Williamson being called upon to make a last ditch tackle to prevent a goalscoring opportunity. From the resultant corner, Calvin Andrew sent a powerful header over the bar.

With fifteen minutes remaining the Rovers made the expected changes with nine more youngsters joining Tomlinson and David Carson – who’d replaced the ineffective Mahoney earlier in the half. With Johnson and Filan in the dugout and Bowyer watching from the side, it was left to the youngsters to see out the game and it was no surprise that the vastly more experienced home side should gain the upper hand.

With seven minutes remaining Camps found Rueben Noble-Lazarus in the left channel and he raced into the area before whipping the ball across the face of the goal for an unmarked Henderson to tap into an empty net.

As an exercise in giving the players a certain amount of time on the pitch it completely served its purpose. Long term injury victims, Shane Duffy, Grant Hanley and Jason Lowe were able to get back into action without being stretched. Indeed, Hanley looked to have shed a few pounds and looked very trim. From a footballing point of view the game merely confirmed what we already know. Williamson remains a lynch pin in midfield, Conway is a constant threat down either wing and Olsson has the potential to cause real problems as an attacking full-back. Raya and O’Sullivan again confirmed their potential whilst young Tomlinson performed admirably in the second half. The introduction of so many youngsters late in the game can only stand them in good stead for the future, giving them an experience that few would have expected so early in their development.

The weekend brings two more games, at Tranmere on Friday night and Oldham on Saturday afternoon, and there will no doubt be further opportunities for the youngsters to make their mark alongside the two new signings.

[Kie_BRFC]

Sounded a lot like O'Sullivan was very involved, like he was at Accy. Could be a big player for us next season

[chimbondapie]

Lots of positives eh

For what it's worth I quite like Raya and oSullivan but they were both useless . The former particularly . One superb save granted , and comfortable on the ball but his insistence on trying to spray the ball out and failing , and inviting pressure with far too many short passes needs to be stopped . Once that's sorted he ought to be our first choice

[Leonard Venkhater]

Great, Parson. I grew up on reports like that. Echoes of Alf Thornton!

[chaddyrovers]

ParsonBlue, has Bowyer change style of play and formation this season by playing passing style of play in 4-2-3-1 formation? Or is it still long ball style of play

[Parsonblue]

ParsonBlue, has Bowyer change style of play and formation this season by playing passing style of play in 4-2-3-1 formation? Or is it still long ball style of play

There have only been two first team friendlies open to the public chaddy so it's too early to say. For what it is worth we lined up 4-4-2 in both games. Last night we had O'Sullivan and Marshall as the front two, Mahoney and Conway on the flanks with Williamson and Lowe in the middle. Williamson got forward quite a bit last night as did Furman at Stanley.

Great, Parson. I grew up on reports like that. Echoes of Alf Thornton!

Nothing better than getting home from the game and then reading Alf 's views in the Last Sports.

[chimbondapie]

What was the point of that front two other than dropping deep to invite pressure

Where exactly did you sit? Did you have a different view to me? Were you behind the bench or in front of ?

[Leonard Venkhater]

There have only been two first team friendlies open to the public chaddy so it's too early to say. For what it is worth we lined up 4-4-2 in both games. Last night we had O'Sullivan and Marshall as the front two, Mahoney and Conway on the flanks with Williamson and Lowe in the middle. Williamson got forward quite a bit last night as did Furman at Stanley.

Nothing better than getting home from the game and then reading Alf 's views in the Last Sports.

I loved his morality and values too. And then, his frequent references to the Charlton game in '58.." as some of my older readers will remember"...Loved his stuff!

[Rover_Shaun]

My Grandad frequently talks about that Charlton game too

[neophox]

O sullivan looked lively. Needs games.

[DE.]

Williamson and Lowe in the middle.

Shudder. A prelude of things to come, with Brown up top?