Report: Torquay 1 Dale 3
Monday, 1st Jan 2001 08:37 by Chaff

Rochdale recorded their first win under Alan Buckley with a superb performance with 10 men (AGAIN!) against Torquay United as they beat them 3-1. Match report and ratings are now online

Up at the crack of dawn to travel down to Torquay to watch our beloved Rochdale with a couple of us questioning our mentality in doing so but all was answered come about 4:50pm when Dale walked away with 3 points from Plainmoor for the first time since December 1996 and today was only our fourth win there ever with the other wins coming in August 1985 and November 1992. As Tim Lovejoy says on Soccer AM, "Knowledge is the bomb!" Cheers TVOS!

Having set off early to avoid any traffic problems it was inevitable we would get into Torquay without a single traffic problem and get there for about 11am and sure enough that's what happened so into the pub it was for a few games of pool, a few drinks, and one assault on a dwarf by our politically correct site editor!

Alan Buckley made several changes to the team for today's game as he opted to go for Gilks in net, Evans and Doughty as full backs and Burgess and Simpkins as centre backs, Bertos on the right wing, Shuker on the left wing and Betts and McClare in the centre with McEvilly and Connor up front with the bench consisting of Edwards, Beech, McCourt, Townson and Grand.

Torquay started the game very well earning themselves 3 corners in the opening 5 minutes following some decent defending by Rochdale. David Graham and Jimmy Benefield both went close in the opening 10 minutes as well when Graham's shot went over and Benefield's effort was saved by Gilks.

Dale had their first effort on 12 minutes when Chris Shuker shot wide from a corner. Dale began to put the pressure on and Paul Connor headed over just five minutes later after being pressured by the Torquay defender and Connor went close again on 22 minutes when he shot over the bar. Connor went close yet again soon after as he managed to get a shot in but it was saved by the Torquay keeper Van Heusden.

Mike Simpkins was given his first yellow of the game towards the end of the first half when he brought down David Graham with a silly challenge down the wing. Having said this, Simpkins had played superbly in the centre back spot making some excellent tackles and some very calm defending.

Dale should really have scored 5 minutes before the interval when Van Heusden's roll out found its way to Sean McClare who unfortunately hit it wide when he had more time than he seemed to think he had.

Mike Simpkins then received his second yellow card just before the break with a bad tackle on David Graham and was given his marching orders and there were no complaints with the decision at all. Simpkins had to go for the challenge as had he not then Graham would have had a clear run at Gilks but unfortunately he mistimed his tackle and had to walk. This resulted in Buckley throwing Simon Grand on in defence and he came on for Chris Shuker.

Matt Hockley was booked for a late challenge on Dale keeper Matthew Gilks leaving him on the ground in a lot of pain and the booking was definitely deserved although the home fans didn't agree!

On about the hour mark Leo Bertos picked the ball up in his own half, continued to run with it, skinning 3 players in the process before getting into the box and trying to take the ball past the keeper for what would have been one of the best goals witnessed by Dale in recent history but instead the goalkeeper decides to bring Bertos down in the box getting nowhere near the ball and the penalty was awarded! Despite a cynical challenge, Van Heusden was only booked! Lee McEvilly stepped up as usual and smashed the ball into the net to send 10 men Dale 1-0 up to the delight of the Dale followers!!

Dale made it 2-0 on 63 minutes when Paul Connor managed to break free of the Torquay defence to set up Robert Betts to score his first ever Dale goal to send the Dale fans absolutely wild! The ball across to Betts was slightly short by Connor but Betts managed to get there nonetheless. A superb move!

Torquay managed to create a couple of chances after this before Matt Hockley was given his second yellow card on 74 minutes after a tackle on Sean McClare which the Torquay fans couldn't really argue with in my view.

The home side managed to pull one back just a minute later when David Graham when he turned in a cross from substitute Kuffour. Dale needed another goal to keep the pressure on and they didn't fail to deliver.

On 78 minutes Robert Betts was found by a Sean McClare pass despite McClare being fouled and Betts finished very well to get his 2nd of the match and to once again send the Dale fans crazy in celebrations as they headed for their first win of the season!

Torquay created a couple of chances but nothing came of them and Dale were able to defend the 2 goal advantage to give a much deserved victory to Dale after an excellent performance!

Plans for Saturday:

Play with 10 men with the option of bringing on an 11th if desperate!

Ratings:

Matthew Gilks 7 Couple of good saves

Wayne Evans 7 Solid as ever, played well

Matthew Doughty 7 Impressive when he wasn't slipping

Daryl Burgess 7 Solid again, looks a great asset

Mike Simpkins 7 Very impressive when he was on, sent off though unfortunately

Leo Bertos 9 Superb, whoever said he can't beat a man was proved wrong!!!!

Chris Shuker 7 Played well until he was brought off

Sean McClare 8 Played very well, he and Betts were awesome

Robert Betts 9 Top class, not one bad pass and 2 well taken goals and boy did he enjoy them!!