Winning Ugly

Rochdale v Rotherham, Spotland, Sat 7th October, 0-1

A pall of excitement hung in the air at the thought of our first ever visit to Spotland, it was also to be the first ever outing of 'The Picnic Hamper'. A glorious wicker basket full of knives, napkins and salt shakers.

I lovingly filled it with goodies, and at 12 noon precisely we left for Lancashire with Ian equally lovingly carrying it to the car. 

We decided to go by way of Holmfirth and over Saddleworth moor. It was cool but sunny as we left Rotherham, but as we dropped into Holmfirth the first drops of rain appeared. We came across a car park by a reservoir, and  'The Picnic Hamper' was brought forth. Alas, it had to stay in the car, we couldn't risk getting it wet.

After dabbing our mouths with the very dapper napkins, we climbed up onto saddleworth moor. The mist was thick on top, with visibility very poor. Perfect for surreptitiously burying dead bodies. As we came out of the mist we came into the rain, and by the time we reached Rochdale it was pouring down. We parked outside someone's house just over the road from the ground, and rushed over trying to dodge the drops. 

It's a tiny old ground, the kind that you really miss when in the championship. Vicky went to the loo and pronounced them not bad. Wooly had found some seats so we joined him half way up near the halfway line,

Can you spot us?

A huge 1220 Millers fans had made the trip and were in fine voice. 

As the rain continued to pour, we kicked off. We seemed really close to the pitch. And were delighted that we were really close to the linesman. Perfect for heckling. After only two minutes, however, disaster occurred. Lee Frecklington pulled up with an injury and had to be replaced by Will Vaulkes. A scrappy half ensued, with Rochdale taking every opportunity to kick lumps out of the Rotherham players. Ian and Wooly had cause several times to vent their feelings at the lino, using the loud Boo to great effect. They were having the time of their life. Keiffer Moore was being so closely watched by their number 4 they could almost share a shirt. Neither side really had the upper hand and the break came with the score 0-0. 

The second half started and the rain kept coming, the  Rochdale fouls kept coming, and the Millers kept singing. On 55 minutes we got a corner and the centre halfs went up. The ball found its way to Richard Wood at the back post, and then into the net via his head. 1-0 the Millers and Woods first goal of the season. 

We were winning away, and the crowd went wild. It turns out Richard Wood also has a magic hat*,  how soon poor old Jamie Proctor is forgotten. Ian was in full Marcus Marshall**, cheering on Ryan and Will and Mike. We had a few more forays forward but were content to contain Rochdale for the remainder of the 90. It wasn't pretty but the fans didn't care. As the referee blew for full time fans and players alike celebrated joyously. Our second away win of the season was also our sixth win in eight games, and took us to the heady heights of fourth in the table. I just love these international breaks!

Toilet Watch

We called again after the game and it had deteriorated drastically, we couldn't flush and the floor was swimming. 4/10

Man of the match

Ian - Towell, really needed him today (teehee). 

Jackie - Potter, he's really growing on me and was imperious in midfield. 

Vicky - williams, made some great runs. 

Footnotes

**when you call a player by their first name if they are doing well and their last name if you don't like them. Named after Ian's first ever love/hate relationship. 

*It turns out that 32 year old journeyman footballer Richard Wood has never had a song in the whole of his career. Awww!