Bradford City 4 - 0 Rochdale

Rochdale manager Keith Hill

Ten man Rochdale fell to a crushing defeat at the hands of high flying Bradford City at Valley Parade. Two quickfire goals just before half-time meant Dale had an uphill task in the second half, a task made even harder when Niall Canavan was sent off for a second booking just short of the hour mark. From the free-kick, Bradford extended their lead to 3-0 with Mark Marshall adding a fourth four minutes later.

With the Dale squad decimated by injuries, suspension, illness and an international call up, Dale manager Keith Hill named 16-year-old academy product Aaron Morley in his starting eleven with two other academy players, Matty Gillam and Andy Hollins, named on the bench.

Rochdale started well and had a couple of half chances, Andy Cannon dragging a shot wide from inside the box whilst a dangerous cross from Joe Rafferty picked out former Bradford player Steven Davies but an offside flag cut short the attack.

Dale saw plenty of the ball and held Bradford at arms length up until the 41 minute mark when Nicky Laws cross evaded everybody but Billy Clarke who lashed home from eight yards out.

The goal rattled Dale as the Bradford crowd got behind their team.

Clarke saw a shot tipped onto the post by Josh Lillis but from the corner Bradford doubled their advantage. The initial ball in was cleared but Clarke sent a teasing cross which was glanced into the far corner by Timmy Dieng.

Dale made an early change in the second half when Rueben Noble-Lazarus replaced Morley, the change adding more pace to the Dale midfield.

A crazy goalmouth scramble almost got Dale back into the game but the Bradford defence somehow managed to clear the ball.

Keith Keane had his blushes spared when a short backpass was seized upon by Clarke; Lillis was quickly out to smother the danger.

The point of no return for Dale came in the 58th minute when Canavan tripped Josh Cullen and, having already been booked, was sent for an early bath.

From the free-kick, Hanson saw his initial haeder saved but pounced on the loose ball to slam in Bradford's third.

Things got worse for Dale four minutes later when Marshall's curling 20 yard free-kick flew over the wall and into the net to finish the scoring.

It was a bad day for Rochdale, who need to dust themselves down and focus on an FA Cup replay against Maidstone United at The Crown Oil Arena on Tuesday evening.

Bradford: Sattelmaier, Darby, Vincelot (c), Knight-Paercival, Meredith, Marshall (Morais 69), Dieng (Devine 76), Law, Hanson, Clarke (Hiwula 70).
Subs: (not used) Cracknell, McNulty, McArdle, Kilgallon.

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty (McNulty 62), Keane, Canavan, Bunney (McGahey 69), Morley (Noble-Lazarus 48), Thompson, Camps (c), Cannon, Mendez-Laing, Davies.
Subs: (not used) Logan, Tanser, Gillam, Hollins.

Referee: Mr R Joyce
Assistants: Mr M Edwards and Mr M Parry
Fourth Official: Mr A Haines