What can you say about a match like this one? After that second half, what exactly can you say about this match. Nothing would really tell the story about the match. You really had to be there to fully understand what went on.

A crowd of over four thousand turned out to see the local derby match between Dale and the Shaymen, and it was the visitors who took all three points, when just one for the home side would have sent us back to the top of the league. To be fair to the Yorkshire side, it was a classic away performance by them. They started well, grabbed a goal, then put all eleven players behind the ball and tried to hold on to their lead. They certainly managed all of that, but how they held on to their lead will amaze many of those present.

Dale once again started the match slowly, and that allowed Halifax to have a few early attacks. There was nothing to trouble Neil Edwards, as shots went wide or over the bar, but this has allowed the away side to build up a bit of confidence, knowing that chances will come their way. Halifax began the game like a house on fire, and were throwing themselves into everything. They gave the Dale midfield very little time on the ball, and applied the pressure whenever possible. At times, the Dale midfield struggled, as Dale failed to get the usual passing game into order. Halifax were first to the ball on the majority of the occasions, and it looked likely that we would be suffering another Exeter.

Eventually the Dale players settled into the game more, and the players looked more dangerous. We started attacking more, but we were unable to find a way past the young Halifax keeper Adamson. We were beginning to look the team that we have seen so far this season, when disaster struck and the visitors took the lead. A cross came over, and with Mitchell looking suspiciously offside, he controlled the ball, before putting the ball past Neil Edwards from close range.

This was then the signal for Halifax to start on the defensive. Protecting their one goal lead became the main priority, with their attacks rare and on the break. Dave Bayliss pulled up with a suspected hamstring injury and was replaced by Mark Monington, who scored the Golden Goal against Halifax in the AWS in February. Dale forced a number of corners before the ref blew for half time, but they lacked any penetration and ideas.

The second half saw Dale try and try to get an equaliser, but they never really got the rub of the green. Attack after attack were launched but for all the pressure and possession by Dale, clear chances were infrequent. Again, more corners were won and lost, with the Shaymen keeper Adamson proving more than a match for the Dale forwards.
Lancashire was forced off with an injury, and was replaced by Andy Morris, who almost grabbed an equaliser within minutes of coming on. A great cross came in and Andy Morris's header went straight to the keeper who held the ball at the third attempt. Dale didn't look quite as flowing with Morris on the pitch, but each cross lead to a big scamble with Dale unable to finish it off.

With only a few minutes remaining, it looked for all the world like Dale had grabbed a goal. Another scramble in the Halifax box, saw the ball land at the feet of both Platt and Hill, and it was Hill who got to the ball first, but Adamson yet again got a finger onto the ball and saw the ball hit the inside of the post. I was already celebrating.

The last few minutes saw an incredible amount of time wasting by the Halifax side, with some comedy throw ins (ie the ball somehow "accidentally" not entering play). The ref never really took the full amount of time wasting into account, but you had the feeling that it wasn't Dale's night and they wouldn't have scored anyway, but not for want of trying.

There were some genuine worries about tonight's game. The main one being the two injuries. Lancashire should be alright, but Bayliss could find himself out of first team action if it proves to be a serious hamstring injury. Secondly, the way we start games needs to be looked at, as it has cost us dear in our last two home matches

Dale: Edwards, Evans, Stokes, Bayliss (Monington), Hill, Ford (Carden), Flitcroft, Peake, Atkinson, Lancashire (Morris), Platt 

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