City win at Dale

City continued their pre-season with a 3-2 win at Rochdale despite going 2 down early on.

In temperatures more akin to the tropics than Rochdale a sizeable City contingent got a second chance to run the rule over a number of new boys and familiar faces. After just 12 minutes thoughts were already turning to the poor form of last season as Rochdale were already two up with goals from Lambert (4 mins) and Brown (12 mins).

The shock of finding themselves two down woke City from their collective stupour and they began to take control of the game. Samaras got his third goal in two games on 43 minutes to give the blues a way back into the game before the break.

The second half was typical pre-season fare with substitutions a plenty and the heat taking its toll. City did take control and two penalties, one apiece for Barton and Dickov, saw the Blues turn around the poor start and win the game.

For the second time in a week City have managed to score three times but have conceded three goals and two goals to poor opposition. It is early pre-season however and the players are just about finding their feet. Hamann and Samaras once again looked good which hopefully bodes well for the season ahead. All in all another good workout with Port Vale next on Wednesday.

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