Ball strikes a double in Terriers win
GOALS from James Ball (2), Ben Nelson and Rayhaan Tulloch secured three points for Rochdale against Huddersfield Town in the Central League Cup, as they come away with a 4-1 victory.
Dale travelled with an experienced squad on Tuesday, made up of mostly first-team players, plus a scholar in Darren Ehimamiegho, and an Under-16 Academy player in Kevin Dos Santos, on the bench.
Captain of the day, Ball, was the first to have a chance on goal, however the Huddersfield keeper was equal to it pushing it away.
But only into the path of Scott Quigley, who fired wide from a tight angle.
Connor Malley’s effort was the best from the first 15 minutes, forcing the keeper to push the ball out for a corner.
Two minutes later Tyrese Sinclair saw his effort deflected onto the bar with the keeper looking like he’d been beaten.
Tulloch and Sinclair throughout the first-half combined well to create a couple of opportunities with the goalkeeper again being called into action as well as seeing a shot fly just wide from Dale’s number 21.
Just after the half-hour mark, Ball broke the deadlock. Jordan Scanlon’s cross was chested down and towards the net from Ball, which forced the Huddersfield keeper into action.
However, the Dale midfielder was on hand to turn in the rebound and to put Dale ahead.
Dale created a couple more opportunities before half-time through Sinclair and Scanlon, but their efforts were blocked and shot wide retrospectively.
Darren Ehimamiegho replaced Quigley at halftime and he got stuck into the game straight away creating a chance for Tulloch after winning the ball back from the home side, but the keeper was equal to it.
Tulloch turned provider this time, playing Ball through with a great pass, who rounded the keeper and placed the ball into an empty net to make it 2-0.
Dale continued to press, this time Scanlon tried his luck from the edge of the box, forcing the keeper to get down and make a good save.
Huddersfield Town had their first chance of the game 10 minutes after the restart, although their effort was defended well and Bradley Kelly collected the ball with no pressure.
A Dale corner was initially cleared by the Huddersfield defence, but only as far as Ben Nelson who finished superbly from outside the area.
With a three-goal advantage Dale made some changes, bringing on Kevin Dos Santos and Jim Mcnulty who replaced Ball and Femi Seriki.
Sinclair was looking to get onto the score sheet with him firing from distance a couple of times, however his efforts didn’t find the back of the net.
Dale continued to dominate with Tulloch this time sliding in Ehimamiegho, his effort was wellsaved.
Sinclair showed his pace after beating his man down Dale’s lefthand side, combining with Dos Santos who pulled the ball back for his teammate, but his shot was put wide.
The home side tested Kelly after a cross from the left-hand side was met by the Huddersfield attacker, the Dale keeper had to react quickly to keep the score at 3-0.
With four minutes to play, Tulloch got his goal after firing in from close range. Sinclair again beat his man and this time found Tulloch who had the space to shoot into the Huddersfield net.
Dale looked comfortable with just a couple of minutes left to play. However, a minute after making it 4-0, Conor Falls scored from close range for the home side, beating Kelly to pull one back. STARTING XI: