All square in clash
Milton edged out as Dalians held by Polonia
ROCHDALE earned a point on the road on Tuesday night after a goalless draw with near neighbours Salford City.
Having picked up a point at Swindon Town four days earlier, this was another step in the rigth direction as the side look to recover from a poor run of form.
They had chances to win it – but Salford could point to a largely dominant first period in which they were the more creative force and, but for a fine performance from Joel Coleman in the Dale goal, they could have been comfortably ahead.
As it was, neither side could break the deadlock in the hard-fought encounter at the Peninsula Stadium.
There were three changes to the side that line-up against Swindon Town at the weekend, as Liam Kelly, Alex Newby and Abraham Odoh came in for Aaron Morley, Conor Grant and Danny Cashman.
Early on, Jeriel Dorsett floated a free-kick into the area which was met by Eoghan O’connell and nodded down for George Broadbent, who had a shot blocked.
But as the game progressed, it was the home side that enjoyed a prolonged spell of pressure, whilst only getting two of their shots on target, as Rochdale stood firm.
Conor Mcaleny saw a shot across goal deflected narrowly wide of the target by Dorsett, before Jason Lowe’s strike from range, a couple of minutes later, was also blocked behind.
Former Dale midfielder Matty Lund then curled a snap shot from 25-yards over the bar.
In the 21st minute Joel Coleman pulled off a fine save to deny Brandon Thomas-asante, getting down superbly to turn the forward’s effort round the post.
Six minutes later he held Ash Hunter’s longrange effort.
Up the other end, Jake Beesley didn’t give up on Coleman’s kick-out and managed to get a head on it in a challenge with Connor Ripley, but he couldn’t force it across the line and it dropped for the ‘keeper who held.
Soon after, Corey O’keeffe had a shot blocked, having got on the end of Jimmy Keohane’s cross.
Coleman then held Mcaleny’s low effort, while Matty Willock headed over Liam Shephard’s ball to the back post, and Mcaleny’s miscued his shot after Ibou Touray had fired across goal, striking wide of the far upright.
Before the break, O’keeffe struck wide from 25-yards, before Abraham Odoh fired a powerful effort at Ripley.
It was all Rochdale during the opening exchanges of the second period, as they started the half superbly.
Three minutes after the start, Odoh picked up a loose ball and found Newby who had a shot blocked, before he, himself, saw his effort on the follow up deflected wide.
O’connell nodded Liam Kelly’s delivery back across goal and Beesley got on the end of it, flicking over the bar.
Dale’s first substitution of the match followed in the 53rd minute, with Broadbent making way for Morley.
Ripley then denied Keohane and Newby, beating away their efforts within a couple of minutes of each other.
The hosts grew into the half and shortly after the hour mark, they hit Dale on the break, with Coleman forced to turn Thomas-asante’s shot away from the edge of the area wide of the far post.
Meanwhile, substitute Tom Elliott powered a couple headers over the bar from two balls into the box.
Rochdale’s second substitution of the game came in the 86th minute, as Aidy White replaced Kelly.
Two minutes later came Dale’s best opening of the night. Beesley latched onto a loose ball over the top and after cutting inside, saw his shot agonisingly blocked.
In stoppage time, Cashman came on for Odoh, in the final change of the game.
IT was full-on action in the Premier division with De La Salle maintaining their unbeaten record and staying three points clear at the top with a resounding 8-1 win at Mellor.
Stretford Paddock stay in touch after a hardearned 4-3 win over Milton and another close contest saw Moston Brook inflict the first defeat of the season on Salford Vics as they scored the only goal of the game and they have a vital game in hand on the top two.
Abacus Media were in seventh heaven after a 7-0 cruise over Dom Doyle but it was much tighter in the other two games with AFC Oldham delighted to pick up their first win of the season by 3-2 at North Walkden and Rochdalians and Manchester Polonia shared the spoils in a 2-2 deadlock.
Just one league game played in division one and Signol Athletic moved to within two points of leaders Chadderton Cott with a 3-1 success over Hadfield Athletic.
Goals galore in the two games played in division two with leaders Hattersley moving three points clear of previous leaders Baguley Athletic with a 6-2 derby win at Newton as they put on the power scoring five in the second half after being locked 1-1 at the break.
Mellor seconds moved up the table as they beat Bedians 6-1.
The big game in division three featured the top two teams and Chadderton Park showed their title intent as they won 6-2 at Hooley Bridge Celtic with a red-hot first half putting them in control with a 4-0 lead.
Elton Lib Hargreaves were able to celebrate long and hard as they picked up their first win of the season by 3-0 over Abacus Media reserves to lift themselves off the foot of the table.
The derby between Stoconians reserves and AFC Stockport was a real Boom Boom contest with a breathless Stocs winning by the odd goal in nine.
North Walkden reserves held on to their slender one-point lead at the top of division A with a comfortable 5-0 win at Milton reserves.
Second-placed Woodsend were taken all the way by Santos before scoring a last minute winner for a 5-4 victory with Callum Walker (three) and Liam Churchill netting for a spirited Santos.
The other game saw Kartel on heat as they won 9-0 against Milnrow Firgrovia.
Aldermere reserves continue to fly high at the top of division B with a big 9-0 win at Hillgate seeing them a massive nine points clear of AFC Oldham who beat Flixton JFC 4-2 and non-playing Great Manchester reserves.
Oldham Saints moved from the foot of the table as they chalked up their first victory of the season by 3-1 at Spurley Hey.
There was virtually a full league programme in division C and the title race is now wide open as Dukinfield Athletic lost out 3-1 to main rivals Govan Athletic Development who are now level on points with them.
Altrincham Hale are in the mix despite being held to a 2-2 draw by Mellor thirds as are Deans Youth who enjoyed an entertaining 5-3 win at Chadderton Park reserves.
Staly Lions were roaring after a 4-2 win at Stoconians thirds and AFC Stockport Warriors were also noisy after winning 8-4 at Bury Ams reserves.
The other game had Salford Storm reserves coming out on top by 3-1 at Village Manchester reserves to keep in touch with the leading pack.
Division D leaders Moston Brook fourths looked to have an easy fixture as they faced basement team Salford Vics Development but the youngsters did their club proud as they restricted Brook to a narrow 2-1 win.