DALE SEND SHIVERS UP NERVY SPITFIRES
CIAN Hayes caught the eye with a scintillating display, laying on two of Rochdale’s goals in this demolition of Eastleigh, who are sliding into choppy waters on the fringe of the National League relegation zone.
The 20-year-old winger, on loan from Fleetwood Town, scored Rochdale’s midweek winner against Woking and had Eastleigh on toast with his skill and speed on the right flank.
Kairo Mitchell, who enjoyed a brief loan spell at the Silverlake at the tail end of last season, scored the first and fourth Dale goals, with Jimmy Keohane also hitting the target just before half-time.
“It as a very pleasing performance from start to finish and we thoroughly deserved the victory,” said Rochdale boss Jimmy McNulty.
“It’s been a great week for us, with seven points from three games. We had to show a lot of resilience.
“They showed what they are capable of as well in what was an excellent team performance. Our first away win since late November.”
Rochdale dominated possession from the off, with Hayes twice causing problems before a horrendous mistake by Eastleigh defender George Langston gifted the visitors a 28th minute lead.
He stumbled, mis-controlling a pass by Devante Rodney. Mitchell pulled the trigger.
Ironically, Rochdale’s lead lasted only a few minutes. Eastleigh had seen little of the ball, but on the half-hour mark Scott Quigley got to the left-hand byline and teed up Paul McCallum’s 33rd goal of the season.
Ryan East, dominant in midfield, almost restored Dale’s lead, but right on the stroke of half-time the visitors were back in front.
Teenager George Nevett’s diagonal found Hayes, who played a through ball to Kyron Gordon, whose square Ball bisected the Eastleigh defence and found its way to the back post where Keohane swept home from ten yards.
Play became very scrappy after the break, but Hayes relit the fuse with an outstanding piece of skill which led to Rochdale’s key third goal.
Hayes brought the ball inside past a couple of defenders and played it to Mitchell. His deft flick went straight into the path of Devante Rodney, who jinked past two defenders and fired the ball in off the underside of the bar.
Mitchell scored Dale’s fourth 11 minutes from time, with a powerful shot which Joe McDonnell could only parry before the ball looped into the net.
Kelvin Davis’s honeymoon period at Eastleigh manager looks well and truly over – the Spitfires, lacking in confidence, dropping to within three points of the danger zone.
“We conceded some poor goals and clearly have a lot to learn before we go to Barnet on Tuesday night,” he said.
STAR MAN: Cian Hayes (Rochdale) ATT: 2,257 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Paul Johnson