Dale to have say in battle for survival
ROCHDALE play their final Saturday afternoon home game of the National League season today when they host Dorking Wanderers.
It’s the first of two home games in the space of four days, with Dale’s fixture against Boreham Wood going ahead at the second attempt on Tuesday 16th April.
The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday this week but the persistent rainfall put paid to the clash.
Dale head into today’s game in 11th spot and face a team second bottom of the table but still in with a realistic shot of survival – Dorking are three points from safety with games in hand on some of the teams above them, so they will be desperate to pick up a positive result at the Crown Oil Arena.
Similarly, Boreham Wood are also down among the relegation spots but still within reach of several teams above them.
Meanwhile, Rochdale’s Youth Team were beaten 3-2 at top of the table Preston North End on Saturday.
Dale took the lead after 13 minutes through Oscar Kelly, but were pegged back ten minutes later, as the game entered the interval level.
However, two second-half goals from PNE saw them take all three points and cement their position at the top of the table. Dale grabbed a late consolation through Darren Ehimamiegho but it wasn’t enough to take something from thew game.
The Youth team are in action today, at home to Stockport County.
Dale Women were 5-1 winners over second-placed Hyde United on Sunday.
A hat-trick from Shannon Gill, as well as a goal each for Emma Flynn and Hannah Murray saw Dale take all three points in the Greater Manchester Women’s Football League Premier Division.
Dale went into the game with minimal numbers available against a Hyde side playing their final match of the season, hoping to cement second place in the table.
But Lee Atkinson’s side started the brighter of the two sides, with Gill opening the scoring early on, finishing a one-on-one chance coolly.
Ten minutes later Dale doubled the lead from the penalty spot. Murray beat two players on the right wing before cutting into the area and being fouled. Flynn stepped up and made no mistake, finding the bottom left corner.
Hyde created a few chances but Dale were holding firm, with goalkeeper Leah Jackson in fine form once again.
However, a defensive error allowed Hyde to cut the deficit in half, picking up a short back pass and converting.
Dale responded instantly though, restoring the two-goal cushion through Gill.
Neat football led to her receiving the ball on the edge of the area, and she beat two players before finding the bottom corner to make it 3-1.
Just before the break, it was four. Georgia Cocking hit a stunning effort off the crossbar, which bounced back into the area, with
Murray the quickest to react as she turned home.
In the second half, Gill grabbed her hat-trick and Dale’s fifth when she was played through on goal and chipped the onrushing goalkeeper, to round off the scoring.
Manager Lee Atkinson commented: “We went into it with a gameplan which we had to stick to for the full 90 minutes, as Hyde are a side that don’t give up and have players that can change games quickly.
“At half-time, after a great first half, we spoke about how we have games slip that we have been in control of.
“It was important that we didn’t let that happen and continued to play the same way and work tirelessly in and out of possession.
“That’s exactly what we did. We played some very good football and limited Hyde to very little.
“Shannon was brilliant again getting her hat-trick, but we might be without her for three games now after the red card last week. We’re hoping to get that overturned.”