Rochdale 2 - 1 Blackburn Rovers

Rochdale 2 - 1 Blackburn Rovers

Rochdale claimed a narrow win against a Blackburn Rovers team with a mixture of youth and experience. Ian Henderson netted in either half turning the game around after Lee Williamson had given Blackburn the lead.

Rochdale started better, Jamie Allen showed quick feet to beat the Rovers defence before crossing to Vincenti but couldn’t stretch enough to turn the ball in.

Dale came close again four minutes later when Henderson’s turn and shot beat Raya but not the woodwork.

Blackburn grew into the game and Lillis had to be alert to palm away Ben Marshall’s 20 yard free kick.

Blackburn took the lead on 19 minutes when Lee Williamson picked up on a slack pass out by Jim McNulty before drilling a shot beyond Lillis’ dive for a rare goal.

Blackburn started to look lively, especially John O’Sullivan. The midfielder beat the offside trap before rounding Lillis but his clipped shot was brilliantly turned around the post by Lund who raced back to help the defence.

Jamie Allen was instrumental in most of Dale’s attacks and when he found Henderson inside the six yard box, the former Norwich man lifted the ball over the bar.

Dale drew level just after the half hour mark when Allen intercepted the Rover's defensive play to feed Henderson. Last season’s leading scorer cleverly fired with the outside of his right boot beyond Raya.

The last minute of the first half drew a flurry of chances from Blackburn's O’Sullivan. Firstly, he lobbed the ball over Lillis but wide of the far post then flashed a powerful shot past Lillis but it crashed back off the inside of the post.

The second half saw Dale make an early change when Matt Lund picked up an ankle injury, replaced by Callum Camps. The youngster got involved straight away when he got sight of goal - Raya fumbling the ball behind for a corner.

Both teams made changes as the second half wore on with Rovers making nine changes in the 77th minute.

Dale took the lead with seven minutes remaining. Noble-Lazarus used his power and pace to get behind the left full back before pulling the ball back to Henderson for an easy tap in.

It was a good workout Rochdale soured only by the injury to Matt Lund who will have a scan to find out the extent of the problem.

Rochdale: Lillis, Cannon, Lancashire (c), McNulty, Tanser, Vincenti (Andrew 70), Allen, Lund (Camps 53), Bunney (Noble-Lazarus 76), McDermott (Alessandra 70), Henderson.
Subs: (not used) Diba, Rafferty, Andrew, Alessandra, Noble-Lazarus, Rose, Camps, Kennedy, Hooper.

Blackburn Rovers: Raya, Henley, Duffy, Hanley (c), Lowe (Tomlinson 46), Mahoney (Carlson 66), Marshall, Williamson, Olsson, Conway, O’Sullivan.
Subs: (not used) Fisher, Tomlinson, Carlson, Thompson, Preston, Cham, Wall.

Referee: Mr A Haines
Assistant Referees: Mr B Khatib & Mr R Wild
Fourth Official: Mr C Dean