Rochdale 3 - 0 Barnsley

Rochdale comfortably dispatched Barnsley in a complete performance against the team Keith Hill used to manage. Calvin Andrew drilled home an unstoppable shot to open the scoring. Peter Vincenti headed in at the back post after a Donal McDermott corner. Ian Henderson clipped the ball over the visiting keeper after being played in by Jamie Allen.

It could have much more than three for Dale whilst at the other end Josh Lillis saved well from Ben Pearson in their only shot on target.

The Dale boss made two changes from the side that lost to Hull in the League Cup in midweek, Olly Lancashire and Donal McDermott started ahead of Ashley Eastham and Rhys Bennett.

Rochdale dominated from start to finish and took the lead in the eighth minute. Danger man McDermott jinked his way to the edge of the area and when a tackle saw the ball pop out, Calvin Andrew was on hand to rifle into the top corner from 18 yards.

Dale continued to push for more with Henderson, Allen and McDermott all going close.

Dale doubled their advantage with nine minutes left until the interval through Vincenti. He rose highest at the back post to nod home McDermott’s flag kick for the easiest goal he will score all season.

Dale maintained their dominance after the interval with the Barnsley goal looking fragile. McDermott and Henderson linked up well down the left which created space; Vincenti unlucky to see his goal bound shot blocked bravely by Barnsley skipper Alfie Mawson.

It was all Dale attacks with some desperate Barnsley defending standing in the way of more goals.

Andrew saw two close range shots blocked.

Vincenti’s powerful header went straight at Davies in the Barnsley goal.

Rochdale’s persistence paid off just after the hour mark. Captain Jamie Allen robbed Conor Hourihane in midfield in what in all honesty looked like a foul. The referee waived play on with the diminutive midfielder sliding a perfect ball through to Henderson who finished superbly over Davies.

Andy Cannon hit the side netting after twisting the full back brilliantly.

Davies got down well to deny Andrew after great work from Henderson.

Barnsley had their only shot on target in the 72nd minute, Ben Pearson with a low powerful shot that Josh Lillis pushed around his left hand post.

In the end 3-0 flattered Barnsley, whose extra time cup exit at the hands of Everton on Wednesday could have taken its toll.

The points move Dale upto fifth in League One after five games.

Attendance: 3,618

Rochdale: Lillis, Cannon, Lancashire, McNulty, Kennedy, Rafferty, Allen (c), Vincenti (Bunney 75), McDermott (Noble-Lazarus 84), Henderson, Andrew
Subs: (not used) Collis, Eastham, Alessandra, Rose, Camps

Barnsley: Davies, Wabara, Roberts, Mawson (c), Nyatanga (Smith 66), Pearson, Watkins, Hourihane, Rothwell (Crowley 46), Harris, Wilkinson (Winnall 46)
Subs: (not used) Walton, Scowden, Maris, Digby

Referee: Mr G Sutton
Assistant Referees: Mr R Merchant & Miss A Fearns
Fourth Official: Mr A Moore