Rochdale 4 - 0 Walsall

Rochdale cruised to their first home win of the season after racing into a 3-0 half time lead against Walsall. Matt Done fired Dale into a fifth minute lead before Ashley Eastham scored his first ever Dale goal when he glanced home a Scott Tanser free-kick. Ian Henderson drilled Dale 3-0 up before Stephen Dawson’s cross was turned into his own net by Andy Butler. The scoreline could have been even more emphatic but some narrow misses and the woodwork denied Rochdale more goals.

After tasting disappointment at Bramall Lane on Saturday, manager Keith Hill was looking for a positive reaction and he certainly got it.

Matt Done set Dale on their way as early as the fifth minute when he latched on to a Vincenti flick before firing a low drive beyond O’Donnell in the Walsall goal for his sixth goal of the season.

Ian Henderson went close with a cushioned volley that went across the face of goal and wide.

Dale did double their advantage on the half hour mark through central defender Ashley Eastham’s first goal for the club. Scott Tanser’s teasing cross was glanced home by Eastham giving the Walsall keeper no chance.

Soon after it was 3-0 Dale. Romaine Sawyers' back pass was intercepted by Done who with just the keeper to beat was denied by a fine block. Rafferty picked up the loose ball and played a delightful through ball to Henderson who made no mistake from inside the area.

Dale were rampant and almost got a fourth just 60 seconds later when Vincenti stabbed a Done cross wide when he should have done better.

Walsall notched their first shot of note with just a minute left of the first half, Sawyers warming the hands of Logan from distance.

The second half was much like the first with Dale on top and they almost scored a fourth with what would have been a goal of the season contender. Logan’s long punt upfield was flicked on by Vincenti to Henderson who controlled with his first touch before volleying from 20 yards with his second, the woodwork again denying him.

Henderson again went close after another Vincenti assist before Rochdale did make it four. Stephen Dawson’s powerful run saw him outpace the Walsall defence with his cross deflecting up off Butler and into the net.

Henderson and Done both had chances to extend the Dale lead whilst at the other end Logan beat away a couple of powerful shots to keep his third clean sheet in four games.

It was as one-sided a game as you are likely to see at this level of football and sets Rochdale up for the game against Coventry City at Spotland on Saturday.

Attendance: 2,082

Rochdale: Logan, Rafferty, Eastham, O’Connell, Tanser, Hery (Andrew 82), Allen, Dawson, Henderson (c), Vincenti (Bennett 87), Done (Fenelon 78)
Subs: (not used) Lancashire, Diba, Kennedy, Bunney

Walsall: O’Donnell, Taylor, Downing (c), Butler, O’Conner, Benning, Flannigan, Clifford (Morris 62), Forde (Baxendale 82), Sawyers, Manset (Grimes 70)
Subs: (not used) Holden, MacGillivary, Bakayogo, Kinsella

Referee: Mr A Madley
Assistant Referees: Mr M Corlett & Mr R Joyce
Fourth Official: P Kettlewell