Chesterfield 0 - 0 Rochdale

Chesterfield v Rochdale

Chesterfield and Rochdale played out a goalless in a game of few clear cut chances that either side could have won. Joe Bunney was denied by Tommy Lee in the Chesterfield goal as well as hitting the woodwork. Donal McDermott could have had a brace but Lee was equal to anything thrown at him. Dale keeper Josh Lillis pulled off a fabulous reaction save to a Sylvan Ebanks-Blake header in Chesterfield’s best effort.

In 27c temperatures, this game between fifth and sixth in the league started slowly with Dale the better of the two teams. The lively Donal McDermott was a real threat for Rochdale and when he set up Joe Bunney the young striker was left frustrated as his shot deflected onto the base of the upright.

Moments later, Bunney saw his powerful goal bound volley deflected over the bar.

The referee, ironically named Keith Hill, wasn’t giving much to his namesake’s side but when he finally did, McDermott would rather he’d have played the advantage as he raced at goal only to be stopped in his tracks by the whistle.

With half time fast approaching, Chesterfield mustered their only real chance of the half. A dangerous cross from the right found Ebanks-Blake unmarked at the back post. The former Wolves striker powered his header at goal with Lillis somehow managing to scramble across to claw the ball away.

The players emerging from the tunnel for the second half could have been forgiven the thought they were playing on a different day as torrential rain and thunderstorms greeted them.

The extra zip on the pitch could have been the reason last season's leading goal scorer, Ian Henderson, blazed over from close range when he met a Joe Rafferty cross.

Chesterfield had a little more of the play in the second half.

Lee Novak shot straight at Lillis when played in.

McDermott’s tenacious play saw him steal the ball off Sam Hird in the centre of the pitch. His positive run and shot brought about a good save from Lee with the former Dale keeper quickly up to pounce on the loose ball with Henderson about to tap into an empty net.

The 369 travelling fans were appealing for a penalty when McDermott’s cross appeared to strike the hand of full back Drew Talbot, the referee waiving away any claims.

McDermott was again denied by Lee who pulled off a flying save from his free-kick whilst in stoppage time Jamie Allen raced into the area, Ian Evatt bravely blocking the shot.

A point would have been welcomed by Rochdale before the game, having only ever picked up three points previously in five visits to Chesterfield, but the Rochdale manager, Keith Hill, felt his side deserved more.

Injuries to Oliver Lancashire and Joe Bunney could mean Hill has to dip into the transfer market ahead of the midweek trip to Championship side Hull City in the League Cup.

Attendance: 6,254 (369 from Rochdale)

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Lancashire (Eastham 59), McNulty, Kennedy, Allen (c), Camps (Bennett 58), McDermott, Vincenti, Bunney (Andrew 38), Henderson
Subs: (not used) Collis, Tanser, Alessandra, Rose

Chesterfield: Lee, Talbot, Hird, Evatt, Jones, Gardner (Ariyibi 63), Morsy (c), Martinez, O’Shea, Novak (Banks 76), Ebanks-Blake (Gnanduillet 86)
Subs: (not used) Cairns, Humphries, Raglan, Harrison

Referee: Mr K Hill
Assistant Referees: Mr S England & Mr M Parry
Fourth Official: Mr R Atkin