Latics given a helping hand

YOUNG GUN GOes FOR IT:Josh Parker is denied by a challenge from Rochdale ’keeper Jake Kean. Pictures by Alan Howarth

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Athletic 2, Rochdale 0
Derby settled by Trotman’s moments of misery

NEAL Trotman can’t quite get the hang of this derby lark.

Last season the centre-back’s actions in trying to sit down in the home dug-out at Spotland caused mirth among his then-Athletic colleagues.

This time, it was again not entirely clear which side the 24-year-old was on. His Dale manager Steve Eyre was not left in a laughing mood, though.

In the space of 13 first-half minutes more ill-judged than unlucky, Trotman was booked twice – there was not a sliver of doubt about either decision – and was adjudged by referee Eddie Ilderton to have pushed over Athletic winger Chris Taylor in the penalty area.

It wasn’t clear afterwards exactly whose studs made an impression on Dale’s changing-room door.

But while a frustrated Trotman felt that Taylor made the most of any contact between the pair – an accusing finger was pointed in his former team-mate’s direction after the spot-kick had been converted – he will surely reflect that next time around it would be useful to lead with a clear head rather than an instinctive boot.

Despite a slow start in which Dale captain Gary Jones pulled the midfield strings, Athletic duly took a two-goal lead into half-time and were rarely threatened afterwards.

The result ensured Athletic manager Paul Dickov finished on the right side of a Rochdale clash for the first time.

Reuben Reid slotted home his third penalty of the season to cap another excellent display – this is a player completely unrecognisable from the one who arrived at the club short of fitness and form last season – and on-loan debutant Nathan Clarke slammed home a header in added time before the interval to add to the bright mood among the home fans at Boundary Park.

From a solemn start, the season is suddenly starting to fire for Athletic.

Jones had the game’s first real chance. After first mis-controlling Stephen Darby’s right-wing cross, the midfielder found a pocket of space after neat build-up play down the left wing and arrowed in a low left-foot shot which was pushed away by a strong right arm from Alex Cisak.

At that stage, Athletic looked a little frantic in possession, trying to get the ball forward too quickly.

Zander Diamond had to be alert to clear behind a low left-footed cross from Jones, before a switch of wings from Josh Parker and Filipe Morais spurred the home team into life.

After showcasing a throw-in of impressive length, Parker bent in a superb cross from the left flank which evaded everyone.

Dale continued to enjoy good territory, but Athletic were quick to look to counter-attack.

On one such occasion, Taylor robbed Nicky Adams of possession in his own half, sprung forward and sent Reid into an attacking position from his which his strong right-footed shot from 20 yards was heading for the top corner but for a good two-handed stop by Jake Kean.

Shortly before the half-hour, Reid picked Trotman’s pocket and a blatant tug of the shirt resulted in the game’s first booking.

Three minutes later, Carl Winchester’s prod forward fell at Taylor’s feet inside the penalty area. His path to goal was blocked by Trotman and as he turned, still going away from goal and with Kean racing over, the winger fell to the floor.

The Dale fans didn’t appreciate the penalty decision. And Kean will also have felt aggrieved that, despite getting a decent hand to Reid’s spot-kick, he couldn’t stop the ball entering the bottom right corner of his goal.

Taylor got involved in a spot of off-the-ball pushing with Darby to further rile his opponents, the incident quenched by a quiet word from Ilderton.

Winchester then headed over the bar from the centre of the penalty area off a Morais cross and Clarke was booked for a tackle on Ashley Grimes which was clumsy rather than malicious.

Trotman received his marching orders for the silliest of challenges on Kieran Lee while he pushed forward as Dale tried to get back into the game.

When Clarke charged onto a good corner delivery from Morais to plant home an unstoppable header, the game was truly up for Steve Eyre’s side.

The second half was a non-event, with Athletic content to keep possession – to the chagrin of some vocal fans in the main stand, who thought the team should bomb forward in search of goals galore.

Four minutes in, former Athletic centre-back Marcus Holness did well twice in quick succession, clearing Kieran Lee’s effort off the line before getting his head to Winchester’s shot.

Both those chances came after Parker had been set away down the middle and in on goal. Electing to try to go around Kean, the ‘keeper did superbly to extend a hand onto the ball and the Athletic winger picked up a knock in the process.

At the other end, Jones hammered a left-foot shot wide when he should have found the target.

Taylor hit a deflected left-footer just over the top and Reid’s late free-kick was pushed away by Kean as the game ended in predictable fashion.