Rochdale 2 - 2 Swindon

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Rochdale v Swindon Town

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Rochdale’s chances of reaching the League One play off’s are looking increasingly slim after a clinical Swindon Town swept them aside in an astonishing first 45 minutes. Rochdale could have been 3-0 up before Ben Gladwin raced away to slot home the opener after Michael Rose’s 30 yard free-kick at the other end was pushed onto the crossbar. Michael Smith fired in Swindon’s second just two minutes later with Gladwin poking home another just after the half hour. Gladwin scored from the spot to seal his hat-trick after Rhys Bennett felled him inside the area. Ian Henderson reduced the arrears with a penalty of his own after Andy Cannon was tripped.

Coming into the game knowing a win would keep pressure on Chesterfield above, Rochdale came out of the blocks very quickly against promotion chasing Swindon. Joe Bunney was denied by a smart block from visiting keeper Wes Foderingham when played in by Henderson.

Bunney was again in the thick of the action but this time couldn’t wrap his foot around the ball when Henderson again played the young striker in on an angle.

The big turning point of the game was a wonderful save by Foderingham which resulted in Swindon’s opener. Michael Rose’s 30 yard free-kick was brilliantly tipped onto the bar when destined for the top corner with the ball eventually played upto Gladwin who finished with aplomb.

Dale’s early energy seemed to be sapped away by the goal and soon afterwards it was 2-0. Central defender Jack Stephens drive out of defence wasn’t stopped and when he fed Smith, the big striker showed great composure to drop his shoulder before slotting past Jones.

Dale rallied and had two gilt edged chances go begging. Bunney’s powerful header flashed just over whilst Henderson’s clever clipped shot from wide on the left came back off the inside of the post and into the gleeful arms of Foderingham.

Again Swindon showed their clinical side soon after when Gladwin poked home his second and his side’s third from just inside the area.

Referee Nigel Miller had a big call to make moments later when Henderson’s cushioned ball across the area towards Vincenti was seemingly blocked by a hand of a defender but the official said no penalty despite the Dale remonstrations.

Swindon got their fourth from the spot after Bennett sent Gladwin sprawling inside the area with the midfielder dusting himself down to send Jones the wrong way to claim the match ball.

Dale got a penalty of their own deep into stoppage time when Andy Cannon was pushed over; Henderson’s penalty too powerful for Foderingham who thought he’d saved it but the ball squirmed over the line for his 20th goal of the season.

The Dale boss changed the shape of the side for the second half with Michael Rose being replaced by Rueben Noble-Lazarus.

With a three goal advantage, Swindon held Dale at arm’s length for the majority of the second half yet still looked dangerous in attack.

A wicked ball from the left found Obika at the back post but Jones was quickly across to save brilliantly with the Dale stopper quickly back on his feet to block a second shot from the striker.

Kennedy drilled a powerful shot from distance just over before Dale got a late consolation via visiting skipper Nathan Thompson who diverted a Noble-Lazarus cross into his own net.

It was a very entertaining game even if the result wasn’t what most of the 2,344 inside Spotland had come to see. It now means that Dale are seven points adrift of Chesterfield in sixth place with four left to play.

Attendance: 2,344

Rochdale: Jones, Rafferty, Eastham, Kennedy, Bennett, (Hery 76), Rose (Noble-Lazarus 46), Allen, Cannon, Vincenti (Andrew 64), Bunney, Henderson (c)
Subs: (not used) Lillis, Camps, Brandy, Logan

Swindon: Foderingham, Stephens, Thompson (c), Ricketts, Byrne, Luongo, Gladwin (Swift 71), Rodgers, Toffolo, Obika (Williams 71), Smith (Hylton 86)
Subs: (not used) Belford, Barker, Barthram

Referee: Mr N Miller
Assistant Referees: Mr T Peart & Mr N Smith
Fourth Official: Mr R Johnson