July
2006-2007
Rochdale
2 Manchester City 3
July 22nd 2006 att. 6,000
Pre-season
games are rarely going to be talking points. Last season the one at Macclesfield
was remembered for the shock exodus of Shaun Wright-Phillips to Chelsea so I wondered
what was going to happen at Rochdale. Well I shall remember the game for the utter
chaotic scenes in the visitors stand when somebody decided that greed was the
order of the day and as many City supporters as possible would be packed into
the stand. The seat number on the tickets were meaningless as people were told
to sit anywhere and as supporters were standing along the wall at the edge of
the pitch it was about twenty minutes into the game before they were cleared.
Health and Safety regulations went by the board as exits were blocked and eventually
arrests were made - see below
I know it was a pre-season friendly but it was
impossible to hear the P.A. where I was and as the City team were numbered 1-11
instead of the squad numbers in the programme it was yet another lack of organisation.
Rochdale
took a surprise lead after 4 minutes. Didn't see that due to supporters blocking
the view. I did get a glimpse of the second goal however after 12 minutes. Weaver
saved the first effort but Brown was able to score to make it Rochdale 2 City
0!
The
absence of several regular first teamers and a few of the new players did not
help but at least we were able to cast our eyes over some of the up and coming
youngsters. Hamann did turn out and it was the first time I had really noticed
how tall Samaras was.
Good
to see Jordan back in action and Hamann displayed some nice touches
This
poor lass was unable to deal with the situation building up by supporters apparently
unable to get a seat in the stand so the view was then taken up by more stewards
and employees of Event Works .
Eventually
the police were involved but some supporters would not budge.
While
a view of the right hand goal was OK - this shot about to be saved by Weaver -
the other goal was mainly obscured yes - you guessed it - by the stewards!
Joey
Barton in action and a rare glimpse of the Rochdale goal not that it was getting
much attention by City except just before half time when Samaras scored - view
blocked I am afraid!
But
I managed a pic of the celebration afterwards!
It
was my first viewing of Matt Mills was was partnering Distin at the centre of
defence. Don't think he is as good as Richards
Then
suddenly at the start of the second half there was an arrest of a City supporter
right in front of me. The notice just below the linesman signaling an offside
reads -It is an offence to stand in a seated area whilst a match is in progress!!!
Later the police had to deal with unhappy supporters who were not able to use
their tickets -some bought in advance.
We
all waited with expectation for a good ball from Danny Mills who had replaced
his namesake at half time - We are still waiting!
Lee
Croft goes down after a tackle in the box and it's a penalty
Joey
Barton scored from the spot to put City level after 60 minutes
There
was a big cheer from City supporters when Paul Dickov hero of the miracle
came on as sub for Sibierski shortly after
A
minute later and Miller who had come on for Samaras was felled in the area. Up
stepped Paul Dickov and with almost his first kick of the game......
He
managed to beat Gilks in the Rochdale goal and City were infront.
The
view at the other end ... well look who's blocking it now!
Other
new faces were Marc Laird -above left ( on for Hamann) and Daniel Sturridge (on
for Croft)
Sturridge
has an early effort which goes just wide
Paul
Dickov was involved in an unfortunate incident not long before the end when he
tackled Brown who eventually had to be taken off on a stretcher. I am sure had
this been a league game the referee would have sent him off. I felt it was an
unnecessary and over zealous tackle considering the game. Wait until May Paul.
A
bit too early to judge players at the moment but there were some noticeable absentees.
No Sun Jihai- -No Dabo No Sinclair and Thatcher and are Colel, Reyna and Onuoha
still out with unjury?
