After heavy rain leading up to the game the pitch was not in the best condition and made playing conditions difficult for both sides. The home side settled the better as they looked to play forward as quickly as possible to an attack that had scored eight goals earlier in the week. 'Athletic's' defence coped with the arial threat Rochdale posed and snuffed out any attacks they faced.

It was Ashton who had the first real chance of the game as excellent build up play by the returning Ryan Small and enigmatic full-back Adam Howard created a wonderful opportunity for Michael Downing. Unfortunately the ball arrived quickly to the forward and he could only side-foot wide. The Yellows were nearly made to pay for their missed opportunity as a rare defensive slip let in the Rochdale number 10 but Jason Foulds saved well down to his left.

On twenty-five minutes a moment of magic from Jamie Harrison broke the deadlock. As the midfielder surged forward, after being played in by Michael Downing, he was brought down by the Rochdale centre half as he was just about to pull the trigger. The referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty and Ryan Small stepped up to dispatch the resulting spot kick to the delight of the travelling support.

The rest of the first half saw both sides evenly matched as both continued to toil with the difficult conditions. Rochdale continued to move the ball forward as quickly as possible but dogged midfield work and the resolute Ashton back line stood firm.

The second half started off much the same as the first had ended however, Athletic were starting to string a few passes together and enjoy a bit of joy in behind the Rochdale defence. On sixty-five minutes they found the second goal they craved. Richard Livingston delivered a corner from the right hand side that was only half cleared by the home defence. Ryan Small returned the ball goal bound that was acrobatically stopped on the line by the Rochdale number two. Any 'Keeper would have been proud of the save but the referee had no choice but to award another spot kick and send the unfortunate offender off. Small stepped up once again to dispatch the spot kick.

The Yellows were very much on the ascendency now creating a few chances against the ten-man home side and gaps were beginning to open. It was then much to the away sides dismay that on seventy-five minutes they conceded the next goal to keep Rochdale's hopes alive. Poor play on the right-hand side gifted the ball to a Rochdale midfielder who unleashed a speculative effort from twenty-five yards which evaded Jason Foulds in goal. The 'Stopper' will have been disappointed not to keep the effort out having got a hand to it.

Athletic seemed to be 'hurt' at conceded such an avoidable goal and jumped into action. Having been played in by the impressive Adam Howard The Yellows forward, Ryan Small, searched for his third goal of the afternoon only to take too long in the box and allow the Rochdale defender to get a block in.

On eighty-two minutes the two goal advantage was restored after excellent play down the left once again. Ryan Small found space to deliver a pinpoint pass in to the box and Adam Gilchrist coolly slotted past the home 'Keeper.
Athletic created further chances in the remaining eight minutes that some would have argued may have put the tie to bed, but a culmination of poor finishing and good defending prevented any further goals. Although Athletic have a two-goal advantage going into the second-leg they will certainly have to be alert to a Rochdale attack that look like they have plenty goals in them.

Get down to Brocstedes on Saturday 12th April to see what I'm sure will be a very entertaining encounter.

Man of the Match: Adam Howard. A fantastic display from the full back both in defence and attack. Never put a foot wrong all afternoon.
A special thank you to RMB Transport for sponsoring Man of the Match displays in the cup this season.