Hill’s cup of cheer as Dale end losing run

MANAGER DELIGHTED AS PLAYERS PROGRESS INTO FOURTH ROUND

ROCHDALE boss Keith Hill says he enjoyed the feeling of winning a football match again after his side moved into the fourth round of the FA Cup after a 1-0 triumph at Doncaster Rovers.

Calvin Andrew’s 18th-minute winner was the difference, and Hill was delighted with the performance following the team’s poor run in the league.

“I got that bounce from the values of having to win a game,” he said.

“It was a hard game, but there was a fighting quality, so I’m really pleased with the competitive energy, and obviously the intelligence. When you’re being competitive you’ve got to show intelligence, and I thought we did that.”

Rochdale are joined in the draw for the fourth round, which takes place tonight, by WIGAN ATHLETIC, who drew 2-2 at Bournemouth after the Premier League side scored a stoppage-time equaliser, but BOLTON WANDERERS are out after a 2-1 defeat at home to Huddersfield Town.

In League One, it was a frustrating afternoon for OLDHAM on Saturday after they lost 1-0 at Charlton Athletic, but there was some positive news to come from the weekend after it was announced they have signed Celtic youngster Kundai Benyu on loan until the end of the season. It was reported last week that Latics were interested in Benyu, and Celtic confirmed on Saturday that the 20-year-old midfielder will spend the remainder of the campaign at Boundary Park, though Oldham are yet to officially announce it themselves. Benyu joined Celtic from Ipswich Town last summer, and he has made four appearances for Brendan Rodgers’ side, including two in the Champions League. It is a big boost for Latics boss Richie Wellens, who has been keen to add to his squad, and he was full of praise for Benyu when quizzed on the midfielder. “I like him. He’s a very good player who can really handle the ball with an arrogance about his play,” said Wellens. “We want good footballers on the pitch and he’s energetic with plenty of pace and power.” There was more misery for bottom-of-the-table BURY as they were beaten 3-0 by Plymouth Argyle at Home Park. Goals from Toumani Diagouraga, Graham Carey and Antoni Sarcevic condemned Bury to defeat, while the Shakers also had Ryan Lowe sent off. Keith Hill