Crewe 2 - 0 Rochdale

Crewe v Rochdale

Rochdale showed their charitable side after gifting Crewe two goals in a scrappy encounter at a very wet Gresty Road. Marcus Haber capitalised on some sloppy defending from a corner when he headed home at the back post unchallenged to open the scoring and on the stroke of half-time Brad Inman doubled their advantage. Inman raced from the half way line unchallenged after a mistake by Peter Vincenti to slot under Josh Lillis. Dale had plenty of chances to get back into the game but Ian Henderson, Callum Camps and Jamie Allen squandered good opportunities.

The game was in doubt up until 1.30pm due to heavy rainfall in the Crewe area but referee Mr Joyce gave the go ahead for the game to go ahead, despite one side of the pitch looking very wet.

Unsurprisingly, Keith Hill named an unchanged side from last weekend’s win over league leaders Burton Albion.

The weather was always going to play a part with pretty football unlikely but it was Rochdale who made all the early running and should have taken the lead in the 23rd minute through Ian Henderson. Camps’ pinpoint centre was met by Henderson but his header went wide when he should have done much better.

That miss was to prove costly as struggling Crewe took the lead soon after. A succession of corners for saw Cooper's flag kick evade everybody inside the Dale six yard box except Haber who had the easy task of nodding the loose ball into the net from three yards out.

The goal rocked Dale but they continued to create chances, Peter Vincenti firing a low shot which was just about stopped by Ben Garratt.

With the half time whistle approaching, Dale hit the self destruct button once more. Vincenti gave the ball away inside the centre circle with Brad Inman racing towards goal with the Dale defence in his wake. The winger had the coolness to slot beyond Lillis to send his side in two goals up at the break.

Calvin Andrew was introduced at half time with Hill sending his side out to set about the task of clawing their way back into the game.

Inside the opening 60 seconds of the restart, Callum Camps whistled a shot wide; moments later Jamie Allen’s half volley beat Garratt but flashed over.

Lillis was a virtual spectator in the second half, although he did well to push Haber’s deflected header around the post just after the hour mark.

Ian Henderson tried to bend a shot around Garratt from six yards out but curled wide of the upright.

Substitute Joe Bunney warmed the hands of Garratt but Dale fell short.

Attendance: 4,130 (515 from Rochdale)

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Lancashire, McNulty, Kennedy (Bunney 70), Lund, Allen, Camps, Syers (Mendez-Laing 74), Vincenti (Andrew 46), Henderson (c)
Subs: (not used) Collis, Rose, Eastham, Cannon

Crewe: Garratt, Turton, Nugent, Ajayi, Guthrie, Inman (Ng 81), Fox (c), Jones, Cooper (Bakayogo 71),Seager (Howell 86), Haber
Subs: (not used) Richards, Baillie, Ainley, Kirk

Referee: Mr R Joyce
Assistants: Mr A Hendley & Mr C Ward
Fourth Official: Mr M Parry