ROCHDALE avenged their FA Cup defeat to FC United of Manchester four years ago with a 3-0 victory at Broadhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Sammi Odelusi, Scott Tanser and Andy Cannon secured a convincing win for The Dale as they continue their solid pre-season form.
For the hosts however, it is their first defeat in three games, after securing wins against Mossley, Hereford and Nelson in the past fortnight.
Rochdale drew first blood from a corner whipped in by Aaron Morley, Sammi Qdqusi was allowed a free header in the box to open the scoring just inside 10 minutes.
FCUM came close to equalising eight minutes later when a cross from Dale Tonge was met with a header from Jason Gilchrist, however the former Droylsden forward couldn’t direct his shot on goal.
Another chance went begging for the hosts soon after, when a through ball reached George Thomson, the former Chester player tried to play in Gilchrist, however he misjudged the pass, and the ball went straight out of play.
The St.Helens born Gilchrist was undeniably changing the game, as on the stroke of half time the 21-year-old, fired a thunderbolt strike from the left side of the box toward Dale keeper Tim Dieng, who dived with all his might to save.
Against the run of play, however, Rochdale would double their lead.
After having two initial shots blocked by from outside the box, the ball feel kindly to Scott Tanser and the full-back curled the ball beyond Ashley Firth in the United goal.
The first half had a chronic case of pre-season syndrome, with both teams happy to sit back and watch the minutes tick on, creating a small number of clear-cut chances.
The second half began ferociously in comparison to the first; Gilchrist, involved all the time, was felled unfairly by Dieng who rushed out and made no contact with the ball.
Referee Dave Richardson awarded the first yellow of the game to the keeper, however many of the Red Rebels faithful thought he should have been sent off for the innocuous challenge.
Just after the hour mark Rochdale made a substitution, as Andy Cannon came on for Calvin Andrew in a bid to shore up their defence.
Just 15 seconds later he scored The Dale’s third goal.
It was a scrappy finish from a rebound that substitute keeper Dylan Forth should have held on to, however the defender was quickest to the ball, and finished it in such a way that Rochdale’s strikeforce looked on in envy.
Cannon almost scored his second of the game after drifting inside to receive a low cross from Jamie Allen, however couldn’t strike the ball cleanly as it drifted just wide.
FCUM substitute Jake Williams came close to opening the scoring for the hosts towards the end of the game but couldn’t find that final added quality.
The box-to-box winger made a lung-busting run to receive the ball, before cutting inside and firing a shot away that went inches wide in what was the last major chance of the game.
FCUM (4-4-2): Frith (GK); Tonge (Pratt 62′), Chantler (Johnson 45′), Kay, Eckersley; Ashworth, Lowe (Glynn 45′), Sheridan (Williams 45′), Gilchrist (Kisimba 62′); Wright (c) (Wolfenden 86′), Thompson (Brown 45′).
Subs not used: Madeley, Forth, Doyle, Walwyn.
Rochdale (4-2-1-3): Dieng (GK); Barry-Murphy, Rafferty, McGahey (Hollins 69′), McNulty (Humphreys 69′); Tanser, Camps; Morley; Rathbone, Andrew (Allen 65′), Odqusi (Cannon 65′)
Subs not used: Diba-Musanga, McDermott, Henderson, Bunny, Mendez Laing,
Booked: Dieng (46′)
Referee: Dave Richardson (Lancashire)
By Oliver Mackenzie at Broadhurst Park
@olliemackenzie7
Recent Comments