Rochdale hit back to shoot down Shots
NATIONAL LEAGUE
ROCHDALE ................... 2 ALDERSHOT ................ 1
ROCHDALE returned to winning ways with an exhilarating performance against in-form Aldershot, who arrived at Spotland on the back of six wins from their previous seven games.
And it was easy to see why as the well-drilled visitors frustrated the hosts for long periods in the first half, taking a 37th minute lead when Jack Barham slotted home.
However, a Jimmy Keohane strike on the cusp of half-time drew Rochdale level and provided a timely boost for Jim
Mcnulty’s men.
The second half was a different story as
Dale upped the ante to dominate proceedings, perhaps the only surprise being they didn’t add to Kairo Mitchell’s 79th minute winner.
This was a superb team effort with resolute defence supplemented by a busy midfield and strike force in which tricky wide men Cian Hayes and Jesurun Uchegbulam caught the eye.
Aldershot might have opened the scoring in the first minute when Josh Stokes pounced on a loose ball in the box; his fierce drive pushed around the post by keeper Louie Moulden.
Dale, although enjoying the lion’s share of possession, were frustrated by the hard-working visitors, Hayes ulucky to see his shot deflected onto the bar after a mazy run.
Aldershot’s desire to launch early balls into the box was rewarded in the 37th minute when former Swiss youth international Laurent Tolaj found Barham in acres of space and he had time to turn before steering his shot into the bottom corner.
Rochdale refused to let the visitors get on a roll and picked up the pace, Hayes testing crosses just failing to find his front men.
But, with three, minutes to the break, a strong running Uchegbulam cut inside and fired in a low hard shot.
Aldershot’s Dutch keeper spilled the ball and it appeared to going dead until an alert Kairo Mitchell back-heeled it into the path of Jimmy Keohane, who made no mistake.
After the interval it was one-way traffic as Ryan East and Uchegbulam went close. Rochdale continued to press, Mitchell put clear from a clever free-kick only to be foiled by the onrushing keeper. Keohane again got in on the act his piledriver inches wide.
The winner came from a well-rehearsed corner routine Mitchell heading home at the far post from Adam Clayton’s cross.
Aldershot’s attempts to rescue a point were met by a robust defence with Clayton’s brave block in the closing minutes sealing the win.
ROCHDALE: Moulden; Keohane, John, Nevett, Mitchell (Henderson 89), Uchegbulam (Taylor 84), Gilmour, East (Rodney 77), Clayton, Hayes, Ebanks-landell. Subs not used: Oduroh, Afuye.
GOALS: Keohane 42, Mitchell 79. ALDERSHOT: Van Stappershoef; Harfield, Harries, Stokes, Jones, Tetek (Willard 68), Frost, Rowe, Tolaj, Glover (Haigh 83), Barham (Thomas 71).
GOALS: Barham 37.