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Dale look to end year on a high

28/12/2001

Their first game of 2001 resulted in a 2-1 win at Darlington, and as Rochdale travel to take on Exeter City for their last game of the year on Saturday (kick-off 3pm), John Hollins will be keen to put the Boxing Day defeat at Kidderminster behind him and earn his first win as Dale boss.

"We didn't get the result we wanted for Christmas but we've got to get on with it," he said.

"There are no excuses from Kidderminster. The surface was excellent, we just didn't play well enough and conceded a stupid goal after we'd got back into the game.

"There was a suspicion of offside for the first and the fourth but we lost another goal at a crucial stage just before half-time."

However, Hollins was pleased with the performances of Patrick McCourt, who made his first start, and debutant striker Lee McEvilly, who was snapped up from non-league Burscough on 21 December.

"I thought young Patrick McCourt and Lee McEvilly played well," Hollins said.

"Lee came on and looked bright and sharp, and he's an interesting one. They are two young players and I was very impressed with them."

Accrington Stanley had a £10,000 bid for 19-year-old McEvilly turned down earlier this month. But Unibond Premier outfit Burscough accepted Rochdale's £15,000 offer for the striker last week.

McEvilly, who looked strong and confident following his introduction on Boxing Day, scored 18 goals for Burscough this season.

Midfielder Alan McLoughlin also made his debut at Kidderminster after joining Rochdale last week.

Meanwhile, Clive Platt was battling for fitness ahead of today's game after he was believed to have suffered a slight hamstring strain on Wednesday. He was expected to train yesterday.