Keith Hill: It was a real game of two halves

Posted Sunday, August 05, 2018 by PA

Keith Hill was delighted with Rochdale’s first-half performance as it ultimately earned his side all three points from a 2-1 win against relegated Burton.

Bradden Inman scored twice inside the first 22 minutes to give Dale control of the game, but the home side hit back in the second half and halved the arrears through Liam Boyce in the 71st minute.

Dale were holding on towards the end, with goalkeeper Josh Lillis in excellent form to keep Albion out with a string of saves.

“I am pleased with the level of performance in the first half and the grit and determination in the second half. The result is superb but we want to see the first half mirrored in the second half and that is the only disappointment,” Hill said.

“It was a real game of two halves. We dominated the first half and had the opportunities. In the second half Josh Lillis came to our rescue and they (Burton) kept us camped in a bit but we pushed all the way and got, what I consider, a worthy result.

“Some of our football in the first half was superb. We ended up surrendering the ball too much in the second half which is what I am concerned about. All pre-season we have been mirroring our performances in both halves but in the second half we teed the opponent up by giving the ball away too much.”

Brewers manager Nigel Clough was left to rue a poor opening to the game as Burton had to try and come from two goals down, but felt that his team showed enough later on to be able to take some positives.

Clough said: “I am very, very pleased with the performance but extremely disappointed with the result. The first 15 or 20 minutes cost us the game, but from that point on I’m delighted with the way that we played and we created enough chances to win about three games.

“When you give goals away in these conditions, first of all the opposition get a lot of confidence, which they did in the first half, and it’s difficult when you are chasing the game when it is as warm as it is.

“In the second half we started with more intent and Ben Fox came on and we looked a bit better balanced. Marvin (Sordell) could have had three or four goals today with the situations and chances and he will put them away over the course of the season.

“It is incredibly disappointing to lose the first game but when you are looking for a pattern of play for the season then you saw that in the second half today.”