Dale return brings Harrogate crunch

ROCHDALE return to League Two action this afternoon following a twoweek break with Harrogate Town the visitors to the Crown Oil Arena.

Dale’s first-round exit from the FA Cup meant they were without a fixture last weekend. The resumption in play brings an intriguing clash between the sides placed 20th and 21st in the division, Dale a point behind the Yorkshiremen heading into today’s game.

Several of Jim Bentley’s players enjoyed a run out in midweek, including Aidy White, who played over 70 minutes in the 4-1 win against Huddersfield Town in the Central League Cup.

White was an unused substitute in Dale’s 2-1 win over Barrow in midoctober, but since then he’s been sidelined with an ankle injury.

“These games are really important,” he said after Tuesday’s match. “You can do as much training as you like, but you can never replicate matches. So, to play competitive matches it really does help.”

White was on the pitch for Dale’s first three goals, scored by James Ball (2) and Ben Nelson.

Rayhaan Tulloch scored a fourth for Dale with four minutes to go and Conor Falls netted a late consolation goal for the home side.

White was pleased with how the team applied themselves.

“I think the attitude and application from a very experienced side, against a Huddersfield team that was quite young, was spot on.

“Not just that, but the actual performance from all the lads. The score line ended quite high, but it could have quite easily been more.

“I know we had quite a few chances early on that we probably should have put away.

“It was a good performance and hopefully the boys that needed minutes, like myself, can build from that and also it gives the gaffer something to look at for the boys that haven’t had minutes to see where they’re at.”

With the League games returning thick and fast, starting with Harrogate Town on Saturday, White is looking forward to the Christmas schedule and his return to League Two action after a longer period of time out then first expected.

“Initially it was something that we were hoping that I was going to be back much quicker. I had an ankle injury and I tried playing on it and I probably didn’t quite make it right.

“So, it’s taken a little bit longer. But I know that there is a lot of games coming up into Christmas and in the New Year.

“So, hopefully I can build my fitness up and whenever the manager thinks I’m ready to go back in, I’ll apply myself correctly and get in the team.”