Match Report – Rochdale (H) | DALEMATE
Battling Barrow drew a blank at a chilly Holker Street, as they failed to break down a visiting Rochdale side in a goal-less encounter.
Pete Wild’s Bluebirds had the better possession and dominated the game but lacked both the luck and quality in the final third to deliver the knockout blowÂ
The match began with a heartfelt minutes’ applause to remember the genius Pele’ but there were no moments of footballing magic in a first half where both sides worked hard but struggled to show consistent quality.
Both Richie Bennett and Connor Brown drafted to add steel to the side and injuries meant an EFL debut for rookie Scott Maloney in goal.
A Ben Whitfield cross cum shot, which fizzed past the upright, was the only matter of note in the early exchanges, though Bennett in particular battled hard against a resolute defence.
The returning Scott Quigley, relishing his pantomime villain role, was booked for fouling Connor Brown as Barrow upped the tempo towards half time, with a Stevens drive blocked and Whitfield spurned a half chance from a very tight angle.Â
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Maloney had to be alert to race out of his box to head clear as a Rochdale through ball threatened danger.
The visitors dug in for the second half as Barrow improved but as Bennet had a shot blocked then missed with a difficult back post header.
The introduction of Robbie Gotts and Patrick Brough’s marauding runs were troubling Rochdale now but when the left back, slipped in by some great midfield interplay had a chance, he drove wide.
Maloney’s debut was untroubled but he had to look sharp when acrobatically palming a cross away on the eighty-minute mark.
As the temperature dropped, Barrow kept plugging away but without the guile to turn domination into a precious winner. Rochdale left with an important point to share with their 233 away fans in a holiday crowd of 3055.
