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Greyfriars Bobby · 11-29-2014, 09:50 PM

11 January 2013

Today Rochdale hosted Forfar Athletic at Spotland. The Scottish club, managed by venerable Russell MacKenzie, had been playing very good football lately. Their quick, short passing style was drawing raves, and the results were impressive. In August, Forfar had beaten Rochdale, 0-1, and everyone in Rochdale blue wanted to even the score.

The Dale did that, and then some.

Ronique Linton arrived with a reputation as a good passer, and it was his nifty ball to a streaking Adam Foster that set up Rochdale's first goal. Foster slipped the ball back to Craig Thompson, whose scuffed shot had just enough on it to elude the Forfar keeper.

Two of the goals were largely the work of Lars Nielsen. His inch-perfect cross left Charlie Baird with nothing to do but tap the ball into a wide-open net. His pass to Foster, who lost his mark and slotted home, was just as impressive. "It's going to be a lot of fun playing on a side with Lars," Baird said after the match. "No offense to the rest of the lads, but I've never had a teammate who could pass like he can."

The final goal was a rifle shot of a free kick from 28 yards out by Mike Staley. Forfar spoiled Stav Molloy's clean sheet with a harmless late goal, making the final score 4-1.

There was a new face in the Rochdale changing room, celebrating with his new teammates. Mark Spiers was another example of what was becoming a specialty for Paul Sanderson and his staff--a free transfer whose ability to fill a particular need made him a good, inexpensive fit.

Spiers was 35, and he wasn't getting much football with Birmingham City. His most natural position was M(C), but he could cover any spot on the right side of the pitch, and he was a particularly good defensive player. He was a Northern Ireland international with 16 caps to his credit, too. Right now, Mark was recovering from broken ribs, which he had suffered in training back in Birmingham, but the Rochdale physios promised him he'd be back on the pitch by the end of January.

"We probably won't add any more players," Sanderson said. "I'm happy with our current squad, and I want to give them time to learn to play together.

"Of course, if we get a lead on another player like Lars Nielsen...."

11-29-2014, 09:50 PM	#22
Greyfriars Bobby College Prospect Join Date: Sep 2013	11 January 2013 Today Rochdale hosted Forfar Athletic at Spotland. The Scottish club, managed by venerable Russell MacKenzie, had been playing very good football lately. Their quick, short passing style was drawing raves, and the results were impressive. In August, Forfar had beaten Rochdale, 0-1, and everyone in Rochdale blue wanted to even the score. The Dale did that, and then some. Ronique Linton arrived with a reputation as a good passer, and it was his nifty ball to a streaking Adam Foster that set up Rochdale's first goal. Foster slipped the ball back to Craig Thompson, whose scuffed shot had just enough on it to elude the Forfar keeper. Two of the goals were largely the work of Lars Nielsen. His inch-perfect cross left Charlie Baird with nothing to do but tap the ball into a wide-open net. His pass to Foster, who lost his mark and slotted home, was just as impressive. "It's going to be a lot of fun playing on a side with Lars," Baird said after the match. "No offense to the rest of the lads, but I've never had a teammate who could pass like he can." The final goal was a rifle shot of a free kick from 28 yards out by Mike Staley. Forfar spoiled Stav Molloy's clean sheet with a harmless late goal, making the final score 4-1. There was a new face in the Rochdale changing room, celebrating with his new teammates. Mark Spiers was another example of what was becoming a specialty for Paul Sanderson and his staff--a free transfer whose ability to fill a particular need made him a good, inexpensive fit. Spiers was 35, and he wasn't getting much football with Birmingham City. His most natural position was M(C), but he could cover any spot on the right side of the pitch, and he was a particularly good defensive player. He was a Northern Ireland international with 16 caps to his credit, too. Right now, Mark was recovering from broken ribs, which he had suffered in training back in Birmingham, but the Rochdale physios promised him he'd be back on the pitch by the end of January. "We probably won't add any more players," Sanderson said. "I'm happy with our current squad, and I want to give them time to learn to play together. "Of course, if we get a lead on another player like Lars Nielsen...." Last edited by Greyfriars Bobby : 11-29-2014 at 09:56 PM.