By Nathan Jackson
September 29 2003

City dominated a game where on any other day, they would have easily reached double figures after having an AMAZING 32 shots on goal (with 12 blocked by defenders) Rochdale manager Alan Buckley's words after the game summed up the game, "We weathered the storm." There could not be a more perfect quote for a game that on another day, City would have scored half a dozen or possibly more.

City could have opened the scoring as soon as the 25th second. A Mark Bailey throw in was flicked on by Futcher. Liburd then dived towards the ball only to see it push onto the post. It fell to Fletcher who shot straight at the keeper who fumbled the ball to Richardson who shot along the ground but was gathered by the keeper.

Volley's from Mayo and Richardson then tested the Dale keeper before Gary Fletcher sent a shot inches wide. Rochdale then had their first chance when a Leo Bertos corner was swung in but the header went WAY over the bar.

More City chances followed, infact, in between the 15th and 20th minutes, City hit the woodwork 4 times. Butcher was then making it obvious he was trying to score a goal to pull even furthur away from his nearest rivals for the acolade of Leading scorer (Fletcher and Richardson) but his 40 yard shot went considerably wide.

However, somehow, seriously against the run of play and by some miracle, ROchdale got 3 players behind the Imps defence and ran towards Marriott. Thankfully Paul Morgan did his usual act of an excellent tackle to clear the danger......or so we thought.

The Imps defence ran all the way back and it was back to the usual. However, the ball was crossed in and Antoine-Curier snook behind the Imps and smashed in a beautiful volley from a very acute angle.

Rochdale fans then by some miracle, found their voices. However, they were not singing for long as the CIty pressure continued. Fletcher came close but then loanee Richardson made it 3 goals in 3 games after a neat turn to go between 3 ROchdale defenders, he chipped it neatly over the keeper to send SB into raptures. He again tried his celebration but yet again failed to get his shirt off so just did his customary finger over lips towards the away fans.

City could have then made it another goal just seconds later but Liburd's shot went quite far wide.

After the break, City continued the domination and hit a massive 12 shots in the space of 5 minutes. Then, it all went a bit red for Rochdale. Lee McEvilly had the ball on the right and Peter Gain slide in and disposed him. A massive argument broke out and ex Dale player Mark Bailey came in and acted as peacemaker but McEvilly showed his appreciation by kicking Bailey. It was his second yellow card and was send off. But he refused to go and pushed Bailey in a very voilent way and was shown a 2nd red card which will see him banned for 6 games.

Minutes after, a major suprise came when Keith took off Mr Reliable, Simon Weaver. Keith was obviously after the 3rd win in a row as he brought new signing Francis Green on.

City continued dominating and hit the post 3 or 4 more times before another suprise. Alan Buckley, a man famed for his belief in "pure" football, told his players to play the long ball!!!! It had little effect in terms of the game, if anything it increased City's advantage.

Then Yeo came on and almost did a repeat act of his goal against Dale last season as his thunderbolt of a shot from the same spot, went narrowly wide. If it was just an inch to the left then another come from behind victory would have been secured because ROchdale were so incredibly poor. However, the game ended 1-1. Although disappointing not to win after being so dominant. That is now 6 games undefeated but the next two games, are a major test. On Tuesday, it's Northampton at home, then on Saturday, is the BIG one against a Swansea team who currently head the league though, but will that still be the case on Tuesday night as they travel to 2nd placed Hull?