Bury 3 - 3 Rochdale

Bury 3-3 Rochdale

Rochdale came from 3-1 down to draw their final warm up game before the new League One campaign against local rivals Bury. Hill’s side went behind after just 60 seconds when Ashley Eastham turned the ball into his own net but Rhys Bennett restored parity 8 minutes later. Rose’ cross wasn’t dealt with by the Shakers defence with Bennett on hand to turn the ball home. Dave Flitcroft’s Bury then scored twice before half time through Danny Nardiello and Ryan Lowe. The Dale boss made changes in the second period and substitute Joel Logan netted twice; once from a corner and the other after Rose’s freekick was only parried by Shwan Jalal.

With many expecting a full strength side, Hill threw in some surprises with his starting XI against their League 2 hosts. Sixteen year old Johny Diba started in goal with a back four of Rafferty, Eastham, McGinty and Rose. Trialist David Fox was given another game in midfield whilst Allen, Hery, Vincenti and Bennett also played across the middle. George Donnelly was the lone striker.

Things started off badly for the visitors when Bury took the lead almost straight from the kick-off. Ryan Lowe escaped down the right before sending in a teasing cross which Eastham, under pressure from Nardiello, turned into his own net.

The Dale boss likes to shake things up at times and Rhys Bennett was playing in an unfamiliar right midfield role but was seemingly Dale’s best attacking outlet. The former Bolton man went close on a couple of occasions before levelling the game on 9 minutes. Rose’s left wing cross was left by the home defence with Bennett capitalising at the back post.

The game settled into an even affair for the majority of the remaining minutes as torrential rain tested the new JD Stadium pitch. With 7 minutes before the break, The Shakers re-took the lead. Some intricate passing in and around the Dale box ended with Nardiello turning and firing a low shot past Diba to make it 2-1.

As the clock was ticking towards 45 minutes, veteran striker Ryan Lowe increased his side’s advantage. Nardiello turned provider for the striker whose finish into the top corner was unstoppable.

Diba will have relished his chance in the spotlight and 11 minutes after the re-start foiled former Dale player Nicky Adams when he jinked his way through a static Dale defence. The youngster was quickly out to block Adams’ close range effort.

Diba again had to be alert to push away a powerful Ryan Lowe freekick as the home side pushed to extend their advantage.

Hill made three changes just after the hour mark when he sent on youngsters Billy Hasler-Cregg, Andy Cannon and Joel Logan with the trio making a real impact on the game.

Within three minutes Logan netted the first of his two goals after meeting a Rose corner with a looping header that Chris Hussey tried in vain to keep out on the line.

With two sides that are rivals on show, it was very fitting that both sets of fans gave a standing ovation for the introduction of home trialist and former Dale favourite Joe Thompson. Joe, who has just been given the all clear after being diagnosed with cancer, is looking to earn a contract at Gigg Lane and came on for the last 10 minutes.

With the game almost up, Hill’s side got a deserved equaliser. Rose’s free-kick was only parried by Jalal with Logan on hand to drill the loose ball into the net.

It was a good workout for Hill’s side although opposition managers and Dale fans alike will still be left wondering just what the starting 11 will be next week for the season opener against Peterborough United at Spotland.

Attendance: 1277 (405 away)

Rochdale: Diba, Rafferty, Bennett (Logan 65), Eastham (c), McGinty (Barry-Murphy 46), Rose, Allen (Hasler-Cregg 65), Vincenti, Hery (Cannon 65), Fox (Kisimba 74), Donnelly
Subs: (not used) Kisimba, Bell, Collis

Bury: Jalal, Jones, McNulty (c), Etuhu (Sedgwick 66), Adams, Mayor (Thompson 80), Hussey, Lowe, Nardiello, Soares, Mills
Subs: (not used) Lainton, Thompson, O’Brien, Cameron

Referee: Mr S Stockbridge
Assistant Referees: Mr S Wade & Mr W Grunhill
Fourth Official: Mr M McGrath