Fulham were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Rochdale at Craven Cottage this evening as Ian Branfoot’s side failed to build on their strong start to the campaign.
The home side led through skipper Simon Morgan’s first goal of the season which livened up a fairly uneventful first period, but their defence was almost immediately breached by a defiant Dale. John Veary benefited from some shocking marking in the home penalty area in order to head Steve Mildenhall’s cross past a helpless Tony Lange just two minutes after Morgan’s deflected strike had totally wrongfooted Ian Gray at the Putney End.
Gray kept the scores level at the interval after a sensational save to thwart some quick thinking from Mike Conroy. The Scottish striker improvised a backheel to send Gary Brazil’s corner towards the far corner, but the Rochdale goalkeeper peerlessly palmed it past the post.
Rochdale were more ambitious after the interval as illustrated by Jason Peake pulling the trigger from more than 30 yards – although the striker’s shot sailed over the bar and into the hardy visiting fans behind the goal. Fulham went straight down the other end with right back Duncan Jupp getting into an advanced position but his enticing cross eluded Conroy, Brazil and Nick Cusack on its way across the face of goal.
Another dangerous Jupp delivery flashed just past Conroy’s outstretched right foot as Fulham went closer to restoring their lead, but the home side’s pressure rather fizzled out in the final twenty minutes after both Mark Blake and Paul Williams were treated for concussion following a nasty clash of heads at Robbie Herrera’s corner.
FULHAM: Lange; Jupp, Herrera, Blake, Angus; Mison, Morgan, Thomas, Cusack; Brazil, Conroy. Subs: Harrison, Moore, Bolt.
GOAL: Morgan (38).
ATTENDANCE: 4,920.
