Rochdale climbed to second in the league following their first home win of the season against Macclesfield Town. Full match report online now.

Rochdale recorded their first home win of the season against Brian Horton's Macclesfield Town thanks to a brace from Grant Holt and an Alan Goodall strike.  The win saw Rochdale climb to second place in League 2 and it also proved why Grant Holt and Rickie Lambert should be playing for England :)!!

There was a change in formation for the game with Dale not having the services of Gary Jones and Neil Brisco through suspension and Gareth Griffiths through injury.  Dale went for a 4-3-3 just like they did against Macclesfield last season and it proved very successful then and it certainly was for this game!  Matthew Gilks started in net with a defensive line-up of Jamie Clarke, Jon Boardman, Tony Gallimore (complete with new white boots!) and Alan Goodall.  The three man midfield included Scott Warner who was making his first appearance of the season, Ernie Cooksey and Lee Cartwright.  Blair Sturrock made his first start of the season up front with Rickie Lambert and Grant Holt who was given the captains armband for the day.  Danny Woodhall, Rory McArdle, Tommy Jaszczun, Ben Kitchen and Clive Moyo Modise were on the subs bench.

I'd say Macclesfield started slightly the better team but Rochdale managed the first chance of the game and it fell to skipper Grant Holt.  He managed to get on the end of a Lambert corner following a flick on from Sturrock but he didn't really trouble Super Alan Fettis.

Blair Sturrock could have opened his Rochdale account after the twenty minute mark with a low shot from distance which Fettis looked very uncomfortable with and he in-fact spilled the effort but claimed it again before Lambert could take advantage.

With almost twenty five minutes gone, Macclesfield took the lead.  It was pre written of course that Super Kevin Townson would bag one against us and he did so with the help of some poor defending from Jon Boardman.  SKT picked the ball up out wide on the left and cut inside, totally skinning Boardman in the process and blasting through the legs of Matthew Gilks for his first goal at Spotland since January of 2004.  He was clearly delighted with the strike and ran over towards the Dale boss who turned away and Brian Horton quickly told SKT to go away from that area.

Shortly after that and Macclesfield should have been 2-0 up but it wasn't to be thanks to an awesome save from Matthew Gilks to keep Townson out.  He headed in the box and Gilks pulled off a fantastic save to push the ball onto the under side of the crossbar and the follow up header was put wide to the relief of the Dale fans.

Que the Rochdale fightback!  Less than ten minutes after Townson put the Milkmen in front, Grant Holt equalised for the Dale.  Rickie Lambert swung a corner in and Dale's star man headed past Fettis with ease for his third goal of the season and to make it 1-1.

Less than two minutes later and Dale were ahead!  Another Rickie Lambert corner was headed by Grant Holt whose effort was snuffed out but the rebound fell to left back Alan Goodall who headed home instead for his second goal of the season.  With just over half an hour gone, it was 2-1 to Rochdale!

Unfortunately for the Dale boss, Lee Cartwright was forced off the pitch with strained ankle ligaments which was a shame because in his new central midfield role, he was having easily his best game for the club in my opinion.  He was replaced by Tommy Jaszczun on forty one minutes.

The first half came to an end and it was advantage Dale after a poor start to the game.  Macclesfield brought on Martin Bullock for the second half replacing Neil McKenzie.  Half time also saw a special occasion for one of Rochdale's own living legends.  Chief steward Pete Hogan made his way onto the pitch to propose to his girlfriend to the disbelief of many of his fans.  We believe, though haven't had any confirmation, that she said yes though questions must be asked as to how she was allowed onto the pitch.  Well done Hogie!

Dale started the second half off brilliantly and the football in the half was of the highest quality and proved we were well worth the win.  Macclesfield were still struggling and they introduced David Beresford in place of Kevin Sandwith though it didn't make much difference as Beresford couldn't put a foot right when he came on.

He did have one good effort shortly after coming on but his shot from about twelve yards was blocked thankfully.

Grant Holt and Alan Goodall were the players causing the problems at the other end and both had a few efforts that could have gone in.  Grant Holt hit the post with a blistering effort from the edge of the box when it looked like it was going in.  Goodall managed to skin two defenders shortly after and he shot but his effort went just wide of the post.

With quarter of an hour left, Grant Holt produced something truly special.  I will talk about this goal for years to come as I've never seen anything like it apart from when I've been watching Real Madrid on Sky.  Holt picked the ball up outside the penalty box, ran towards goal, did a Zidane turn that the great Frenchman would have been proud of himself and in doing this, he skinned the Macc defence before blasting into the far corner past Fettis to send the Dale fans absolutely wild.  It was so good, one of our lot was comparing it to Robbie Wakenshaw's effort years ago.  Can't wait to see the replay!!  That made it 3-1 and was Holt's fourth goal of the season from just five league games.

The game then finished as far as goalmouth action went and the final whistle blew.  An excellent win for Dale which puts us in second place behind Notts County after five games.  Next up for Rochdale is Darlington at the Reynolds Arena or whatever it's called these days on Bank Holiday Monday.

Photo: Action Images

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