Rochdale 3 - 0 Portsmouth

Rochdale 3 - 0 Portsmouth

Rochdale maintained their two point cushion at the top of League Two with a comfortable victory over struggling Portsmouth. Matty Lund headed home from close range after Rhys Bennett’s headed cross early on. A quick fire double on the hour mark from Ian Henderson and Peter Vincenti sealed the points.

With injuries meaning the Dale boss was without four of his favoured players, the squads strength in depth is really beginning to show through. Rhys Bennett played alongside Lancashire in the heart of defence whilst Michael Rose played the defensive midfield role in the absence of Peter Cavanagh. George Donnelly was preferred up front to Joe Bunney.

Both sides came into the game needing points for different reason and the game started at lightening quick speed; either side could have taken the lead within the opening 90 seconds. Toumani Diagouraga’s snap shot forced Josh Lillis into a low save whilst at the other end Jamie Allen’s free header went just wide after a wonderful Matt Done run and cross.

Dale survived a real scare when Matt Done cleared off the line as Bondz N’Gala’s header had the beating of Lillis.

In form Matt Lund gave Dale the lead after 16 minutes. A deep Ian Henderson cross was headed back across goal by Bennett and Lund was on hand to head home from one yard out; his fifth goal in three games.

Rochdale’s swift counter attacking football was a real problem for Portsmouth who couldn’t live with Dale pace at times. Matt Done was the main instigator of this tactic and one such run saw him beat three men before crossing; Vincenti will feel he should have done better with his header.

Done was at it again in the opening minute of the second half. A Portsmouth free-kick was blocked, Done racing away with the ball. He picked out Donnelly who had the beating of Shorey to get into the box but his shot only found the side netting.

Down the right, Rafferty was seeing lots of the ball too and when he crossed for Lund, he headed wide when he should have hit the target.

Dale doubled their advantage just short of the hour mark through Henderson. A long ball out of defence was missed by Donnelly but that only served to confuse the Portsmouth defence. Henderson cushioned the ball past N’Gala with his head before unleashing a powerful shot that Carson got a strong hand to, but couldn’t stop from sneaking inside the far post.

Portsmouth’s reaction to going two goals down was positive. N’Gala’s downward header forced Lillis into a save at his feet.

The stuffing was really knocked out of Portsmouth when Vincenti climbed highest to head home a Done cross for 3-0.

It was job done for Dale as they just played possession football, frustrating their opponents.

Portsmouth did have a glorious chance of a late consolation, Wes Fogden played in by Wallace but he shot over from inside the area.

Rochdale keep their place at the summit of League Two, nine points clear of fourth placed Fleetwood who they travel to face on Saturday.

Attendance: 2,746

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Lancashire (c), Bennett, Done, Rose, Lund, Allen, Vincenti (Bunney 90), Henderson, Donnelly (Cummins 78).
Subs: (not used) Thomson, Tanser, Hery, Kennedy, Porter.

Posrtsmouth: Carson, Alfei, N’Gala, Devera (Taylor 65), Shorey, Diagouraga (c), Whatmough, Fogden, Wallace, Holmes, Agyemang.
Subs: (not used) Smith, Bradley, Ertl, Drennan, Jervis, McCabe.

Referee: Mr N Miller
Assistant Referees: Mr W Grunnill & Mr R Jones
Fourth Official: Mr M Duncan