OWN GOAL IS HELLISH FOR POOR MELLISH
ROCHDALE saw off National League side Gateshead, thanks to two goals in two first-half minutes.
Jon Mellish turned the ball into his own net in the 21st minute and within 60 seconds Dale had doubled their lead through Ian Henderson’s 100th goal for the club. But Gateshead hit back with a well-worked goal from Mellish four minutes into the second half.
And the visitors had League One Dale pinned inside their own half for long periods in the remainder of the game, but couldn’t find the second goal they deserved.
Dale boss Keith Hill felt his side went into “cruise control” at 2-0 and criticised goalkeeper Moore.
“From a mental point of view, 2-0 can be a dangerous scoreline,” he said. “Our keeper has got to save that shot. No question.
“Fair credit to the opponents in the second half, they responded well to being two goals down.
“I am really not happy with the goalkeeping situation at the club. We are letting in too many silly goals, whether it’s Brandon, Josh Lillis or Magnus Norman in goal.”
Gateshead boss Steve Watson was left proud, but disappointed as his side fell just short.
“I’m really proud of the way they performed, even in the first half. We were disappointed to be going in 2-0,” said Watson. “The real killer blow was conceding that second goal so quickly after the first. “We were excellent in the second half; we were on the front foot and forcing them to put the ball out. We just needed a little nick on one of those balls that were fizzed across the box. We couldn’t quite get the second goal, and it was a second goal we probably deserved. “It’s very disappointing not being in the hat, but it was always going to be tough giving a two-goal start to a League One side. I’m disappointed, but very proud of the lads.”
Dale took the lead when Jordan Williams and Henderson combined on the left, before the latter’s low cross was turned into the roof of the net by Mellish.
And when Henderson converted Brad Inman’s cross within 60 seconds, Dale looked firmly in control. Inman raced clear down the left wing and centred for Henderson to slide home the milestone goal.
But when Mellish raced onto a clever backheel from Greg Olley, his shot was parried into the net by Dale goalkeeper Brendan Moore.
Olley had a great chance to level the game for Gateshead when Scott Boden’s flick sent him one-on-one with Moore, the forward lifting the ball over the Dale stopper, but failing to get enough dip on his finish as it cleared the crossbar.