Crewe Alexandra 2 - 5 Rochdale

A first ever career hat-trick from Matt Done secured Rochdale their first points of the season in an emphatic win against Crewe Alexandra. Ian Henderson’s close range finish cancelled out Marcus Haber’s opener for Crewe before Matt Done tapped in Henderson’s cross to send Rochdale in at half time 2-1 up. Done made it 3-1 ten minutes after the restart after a mistake in the Crewe defence before Haber netted his and Crewe’s second to tighten the scoreline. Peter Vincenti lashed home Dale’s fourth with Done netting his third and Dale’s fifth after being played in by Henderson.

After three defeats in league and cup so far this season, Keith Hill picked an experimental side with no recognised strikers in the starting line-up. On loan goalkeeper Conrad Logan made his debut whilst Scott Tanser started after shaking off a knee injury that saw him replaced against Chesterfield four days ago. Ashley Eastham started in defence allowing Rhys Bennett to be pushed up to right midfield. Jamie Allen and Bastien Hery played in the centre of midfield. Peter Vincenti, who missed Saturday’s game due to illness, played on the left with Ian Henderson and Matt Done given the chance to shine up front.

Dale started brightly but went behind early through Marcus Haber. The loan striker outmuscled Tanser before firing a low shot through the legs of Logan.

It could have been worse for Dale but Logan saved with his legs when Billy Waters turned Eastham inside the area.

Dale started to get a foothold in the game. Peter Vincenti headed into the side netting after a good knock down by Eastham as Dale pushed for a leveller.

Parity was restored just after the half hour mark when Jamie Allen showed a great turn of pace to outstrip Jamie Ness before picking out a perfect ball to Henderson who made no mistake from inside the six yard box for his second goal in two games.

Henderson had a moment he’ll want to forget when he was played in perfectly by Bennett and with only the keeper to beat got his shot horribly wrong, the ball going nearer the corner flag than the goal from 12 yards out.

Rochdale were looking by far the better of the two sides and got their noses deservedly in front three minutes before the interval. Henderson drilled a low cross from the right for Done to tap home from close range.

Crewe almost drew level right on the stroke of half time but for a wonderful save by Logan. With Peter Vincenti off the field receiving treatment for a head injury, The Railwaymen’s George Ray sent a bullet header from a corner towards goal but somehow Logan clawed the ball away at full stretch.

The second half saw much of the same from Rochdale. Henderson had another goal bound shot brilliantly blocked by the Alex defence before Dale extended their lead on 55 minutes.

Allen’s ball over the top seemed easy pickings for Ray but his header back to Garratt was short with Done nipping in and firing past the keeper.

Crewe showed some resilience seven minutes later when the scoreline was made 3-2, Haber heading beyond Logan from a right wing cross.

Having lost their opening three games, Dale’s confidence could have been put to the test by the goal but instead they pressed on and put the game beyond Crewe.

Henderson and Vincenti played a great one-two on the edge of the area with Vincenti firing past a helpless Garratt for 4-2 on 67 minutes and five minutes later wrapped up the win with a hat-trick goal from Matt Done.

Henderson’s through ball was perfect for Done to run onto and smashing the ball emphatically beyond Garratt.

Dale had another goal ruled out for a foul on the keeper.

At the other end, Logan denied substitute Vadaine Oliver with another fine low stop.

The Dale boss, Keith Hill, was understandably a very happy man after the game, although he admitted to being mentally tired after overseeing this tremendous first win of the season.

Attendance: 3,742 (327 from Rochdale)

Rochdale: C Logan, Rafferty, Eastham, Tanser, Kennedy, Bennett, Allen, Hery (Andrew 75), Vincenti (Camps 83), Henderson (c), Done (Dawson 89)
Subs: (not used) Diba, Donnelly, Rose, Logan

Crewe: Garratt, Tootle (c), Ray, Dugdale, Leigh (Atkinson 72), Turton, Ness, Grant, Waters, Molyneux (Oliver 72), Haber
Subs: (not used) Shearer, Guthrie, Inman, Saunders, Nolan

Referee: Mr K Stroud
Assistant Referees: Mr M Griffiths & M r A Hendley
Fourth official: Mr M Donohoe