|
Friendly 26 July 08
This truly was ‘ a game of two halves’.
With matches coming thick and fast and the start of the
league just a fortnight away, Mark McDonnell did an
‘Erickson’, and fielded two different elevens in each half.
Rochdale brought a side of young
hopefuls, and manager Chris Beech made it clear from the
outset that he wanted nothing less than 100% effort and
commitment. On a day when the result was pretty much
academic, Villa enjoyed a tough test against the pace and
movement of their young rivals.
For the record, Dale scored first with a
goal that looked suspiciously off-side. Villa equalised
shortly after through the silky Eliot Dunn, but the visitors
nicked it right at the death when they were able to use
their impressive movement to get in behind a resolute Villa
back line.
In the end both managers were delighted
with the stern test the encounter provided, but it remains
to be seen if McDonnell and coach Roger Leigh are any closer
to settling on their first choice line-up.
Elton Vale away on Saturday to decide who
progresses from the group stage of the Goldline, see the web
site for directions.
|
