League

Rochdale
Spectators: 6723 (Terracing: 5000, Seating: 1723, VIP seats: 0) Reuben Weir took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Michael Buckley, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. When the match had gone on for 8 minutes, Michael Buckley took a quick shot and it went in 1-0 without a chance for Reuben Weir to make any attempt to save it. Michael Buckley received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 13th minute. Reuben Weir tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After some fancy dribbling in the 15th minute, Frank Burton managed to get in a good position for a shot. Rochdale's supporters rose to their feet, but Frank Burton was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Reuben Weir breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. An unexpectedly hard shot by Rod Barfield in the 18th minute of play forced Rochdale's goalkeeper Teddy Fordham to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Kenny Phippard kicked well hit freekick during the 20th minute of the match. After having played for 27 minutes, Michael Buckley managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Rochdale's supporters crossed their fingers, but Michael Buckley was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. Hayden Alderson struck a weak shot in the 35th minute. Reuben Weir didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Rochdale. 37 minutes into the match, Rochdale's goal looked a bit too open when Rod Barfield came free, but Teddy Fordham reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Birmingham's Pat Thurman got a good chance for a goal in the 44th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. No-one was surprised that the home team were leading 1-0 at half-time.

When the second half was about to start, both teams quickly lined up and Michael Buckley made a kick off. After a defensive mix-up in Birmingham's zone, Michael Buckley stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Reuben Weir came out of the goal and Michael Buckley tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. Reuben Weir made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Michael Buckley in the 64th minute of play. Rod Barfield might have been able to make a better finish in the 68th minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Teddy Fordham. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Rod Barfield ran back to his position shaking his head. Birmingham's Pat Thurman got a good chance for a goal in the 72nd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Pat Thurman's shot was meant for the net just under the crossbar, but Teddy Fordham read the situation well and was quickly in position to make a wonderful save in the 74th minute of play. After a defensive mix-up in Birmingham's zone, Michael Buckley stole the ball and had only the goalie to beat. Reuben Weir came out of the goal and Michael Buckley tried to chip the ball over his head. To his dismay, the ball went over the crossbar and out of play. A collision led to Birmingham getting a freekick after 83 minutes play. Tim Byrom hit a great ball. 85 minutes into the game, Rochdale's Frank Burton nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Reuben Weir made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 2-1. Teddy Fordham showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Pat Thurman, who was totally free with the ball in the 89th minute. Pat Thurman received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 94th minute. Teddy Fordham tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Pat Thurman received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 97th minute. Teddy Fordham tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere.