Pools win sees Dale back on right track
DALE returned to winning ways with a 3-2 win at Hartlepool United on Saturday.
An early goal from Cian Hayes put Dale ahead, before Jimmy Keohane and Ryan East made it 3-0, although the hosts did pull one back to make it 3-1 at the break.
After a more even second period, Hartlepool scored late on to make it a nervy final ten minutes, but Dale held on for all three points.
Jimmy Mcnulty stuck with the same starting eleven from Tuesday night’s game at home to Gateshead, with Devante Rodney coming back on to the bench in place of Tommy Mcdermott.
Dale got off to the perfect start when Hayes scored his first goal for the club inside three minutes.
Louie Moulden picked him out with a superb long pass over the top of the defence and the Fleetwood Town loanee raced on to it, got there ahead of goalkeeper Joel Dixon, before finishing first time with his right foot.
The visitors were dominating possession, with Hayes going close again, firing wide of the far post on the turn, and East seeing a shot blocked.
Hartlepool did force Moulden into a succession of saves during a fiveminute period in which they created some chances, but he held efforts from Matt Dolan and Joe Mattock, whilst superbly clawing away Tom Crawford’s curling shot which was heading towards the top corner.
The lead was doubled in the 33rd minute when Keohane netted his fourth of the campaign, latching on to Kairo Mitchell’s flick on and finding the bottom corner.
As the fourth official showed six minutes of stoppage time to be added on, Dale made it three.
Good build-up again saw East find space in the centre of the pitch. He drove forward into space before shooting from 25-yards and nestling the ball in the far bottom corner.
However, on the stroke of half-time, the hosts pulled one back through Nicky Featherstone, meaning they went into the break just two behind at 3-1.
The second period was a more even contest as
Dale fought to get control, with Ethan Ebanks-landell and Mitchell firing off target, whilst East had a volley held.
Hayes also dragged an effort wide after a great run before Mani Dieseruvwe halved the deficit inside the final ten minutes.
The hosts piled the pressure on and Dieseruvwe should have scored, missing his connection with the ball inside the six-yard box when the goal was open, but Dale held on in the seven minutes of time that was added for all three points.
DALE XI:
Moulden, Oduroh, Ebanks-landell, Nevett, Keohane, East (90’ Rodney), Gilmour, Hayes (86’ Taylor), Uchegbulam (57’ Clayton), Henderson, Mitchell. Unused subs: B Kelly, Afuye.
●●JESURUN Uchegbulam says it was a special feeling to score his first goal for the club.
The winger scored a stunning opener against Gateshead last Tuesday to open his account.
“It’s a different feeling than when you start scoring, but getting the first one at a club is special,” said Uchegbulam.
“It’s that goal that gets you going confidencewise, so it was a special moment for me. Especially doing it at home, I think that’s even better.
“When I watched the highlights, the commentator said it was in the minute it left my boot. I knew it was going in. It’s one of those you don’t expect, but when the chance came,
“I just put my foot through it. I was delighted.
“My team-mates have been really welcoming since my first day. It feels like home and feels like a big family.
“It’s good that I knew a few of the lads, but we’re all there for each other whether we lose or win. Everyone has got each other’s backs for the good of the team.”
Uchegbulam says there are no easy games in the league, but that Dale have the confidence that they can win any game.
“From what we know, and people who watch the league, we know what we’re capable of.
“We’re one of the best footballing sides in the league, if not the best.
“I think we’ve been a bit unlucky in the last few weeks, not getting the results we deserve, but ultimately that’s the league and that’s football. We know luck will turn in our favour sooner rather than later.
“No game in this league is easy. We don’t look at the next game and think that’s an easy game.”