Grimsby 0-0 Rochdale

And so it finally arrived, the start of the new season. Instead of the usual warm August weather which usually greets the opening game we were treated to rain and plenty of it.

Apparently Jon Shaw has picked up an infected blister on his foot, which is never nice. Anyway his absence meant a front pairing of ALF and Dagnall. Sadly, as we have seen before, for all the pairs hard work their partnership never really clicked. Another suprise came with Scott Wiseman taking up the right wing berth with Higgy getting a place on the bench – Buckley too has picked up a knock.

And so the game kicked off and we all sat back and waited for the game to spring into action. And waited, and waited…

So yeah, the first half was a bit of a non-event in all honesty. We passed the ball well enough, I think we’ve now seen enough of Keltie to suggest he could be a good signing. The trick for us Dalies is not to expect a David Perkins type player and I think we’ll be ok.

Both teams had a few attacks but little came of them. We had a few corners but as is so often he case we did little with them either. Daggers had a half chance but made little of it. Jones too tried his look but to no avail.

Any fleeting Grimsby attacks were comfortably dealt with by either the defence or Russell.

Thankfully the second half proved to be a more entertaining affair. If truth be told we really should have come away with all three points.

The main chance for Dale came through the lively Dagnall a great move saw him put through only for the Grimsby Keeper to pull off a fantastic stop.

Rundle and ALF both tried their look but they were up agaisnt an inspired defence and Keeper who threw their bodies infront of everything.

Higgy and Thorpe were introduced and both did well with Higgy in particular looking threatning.

Our shape seemed much better and our pressure grew and grew as the Grimsby defending became more and more desperate.

It looked as though we might nick it at the death when Rundle broke into the box, with options in the centre he decided instead to go for goal and his shot hit the side netting. And with that went any Dale hopes of an opening day victory.