Little reward for
ROCHDALE fell to a 2-1 defeat at The Valley in midweek, despite a spirited performance from Keith Hill’s men.
Rochdale had taken the lead through youngster Matty Gillam, but a goal either side of the break from Jake Forster-Caskey ensured that Dale remain in the League One relegation zone.
Dale began the game with three changes to the side after weekend’s derby defeat to Oldham Athletic. Joe Bunney, Donervan Daniels and Matty Gillam came in for Kgosi Ntlhe, Joe Rafferty and Bradden Inman.
Charlton had the first chance of the game in the 7th minute when tricky winger Ricky Holmes ran at the Dale defence from the half way line. After beating two defenders, Holmes shot on goal but his effort was deflected into the grateful hands of Josh Lillis.
Charlton almost opened the scoring soon after as Mark Marshall cut into the box after good build up in the midfield but his powerful effort went wide of the post.
Despite Charlton’s early pressure, it was Rochdale who got an unexpected first goal. Full back Joe Bunney drove at the Charlton defence down the left-hand side before delivering a driven cross into the path of Gillam. The academy graduate, on his first league start for the club, took his chance well and slotted the ball into the bottom corner to give Dale the lead.
After the goal, Rochdale continued to pressure the Charlton defence and should have doubled their lead shortly after. Gillam again involved, as he picked up the ball and turned well, hitting a driven strike towards goal, only to be denied by the post.
The Addicks came into the game as the half went on, and despite some tough tackling from Dale, they began to pass the ball around the pitch well to control the game.
The home side got their reward in the 35th minute when Da Silva’s cross fortunately deflected off Naby Sarr and into the path of Forster-Caskey who finished well from 6 yards out.
Charlton began the second half as they ended the first, piling the pressure on to the Dale defence. Ahmed Kashi almost put Charlton in front but his long range effort was denied by the woodwork.
The second goal came for Charlton not long after, Forster-Caskey grabbed his second of the match, capitalising on a spill from Lillis to tap in from close range.
The game was end to end after the goal with both sides having chances to add to their tally’s, however both goalkeepers stood strong. Rochdale came the closest to getting an allimportant equaliser with five minutes left but Ben Amos saved well to deny Inman’s powerful effort.
“We deserved a point, without question,” said Hill. “Performances come from commitment, and probably showing more enthusiasm and endeavour. Commitment is a big word but I think the players have shown that here, and that’s what gives me great encouragement. We know when we get the type of the performance and commitment that I expect.
“I think I’ve been waiting and expecting performances, but you have to make big decisions sometimes, and I’ve been too loyal to too many players. I hope that is the response with respect to performance levels, but we’re in a results business and you could argue that in the first-half, the scoreline flattered the opposition, because we started superbly well.”