Force is with Latics as rivals try again

CHRIS O’GRADY

Rochdale out to halt slide
TAKE TWO . . . Athletic and Rochdale will try once again to get through the first league derby clash between the clubs for 36 years at Spotland on Saturday.

The first attempt three weeks ago ended almost as soon as it had began — in farce.

Heavy rain throughout the day had left the pitch resembling a marshland and referee Tony Bates called a halt to proceedings after a mere eight minutes.

From the moment Dean Furman's firmly struck back-pass travelled less than halfway along its intended destination before being stuck in a giant puddle, the writing was on the wall and the right decision was made.

The most surprising aspect of the rearranged game is that it takes place when it does, on the weekend of the second round of the FA Cup.

Rochdale succumbed 3-2 to FC United in a televised first-round clash in amazing fashion, with the Evo-Stick League side claiming a controversial stoppage-time winner through Mike Norton when the ball appeared to be kicked out of goalkeeper Josh Lillis's hands.

Athletic's own 3-2 exit at the hands of Accrington Stanley didn't quite generate the same shockwaves.

But it was still unexpected, the dual cup exits leaving the two sides with a free weekend on which to hold the rearranged game.

Since then, the rivals have experienced contrasting fortunes.

Athletic's great giveaway in letting slip a 3-0 lead against Exeter nonetheless brought a point which gives Paul Dickov's men seven from their last three matches.

The late wobble against Exeter apart, Dickov's men have shown a solid defensive mindset in those matches coupled with high energy levels and quick ball movement good enough to trouble any side in the division.

The combination of in-form pair Chris Taylor and Oumare Tounkara — now both level as Athletic's top scorer this season on five goals alongside Dale Stephens - proved too hot to handle for Huddersfield, Dagenham and, in the first half at least, Exeter.

And with star man Dean Furman back in the midfield engine room after serving a one-match suspension, there is no reason why Dickov's side shouldn't be confident of taking three points from their game in hand, which would push the team up to third place in npower League One.

Rochdale have won only once in eight matches since seeing off Huddersfield 3-0 at Spotland in late September and have picked up two points from their last three following that defeat to FC United.

Captain Gary Jones scored a penalty just after the hour to secure a 1-1 draw at Carlisle earlier this week, the midfielder's third strike in two matches and 10th overall this season.

Chris O'Grady has five goals to his name this term, though the 24-year-old, signed from Athletic last season for a fee believed to be just under £100,000, hasn't found the net in his last four outings.