Rochdale 3 - 0 Chesterfield

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Ian Henderson scored two of Dale's three goals

Rochdale moved up to fourth in League One after a convincing victory over struggling Chesterfield. Ian Henderson scored in each half; his first, a stunning shot into the top corner, set Dale on their way. Calvin Andrew scored on the hour mark. Earlier, Steven Davies saw his penalty saved after Matty Lund was tripped by keeper Lloyd Allinson.

With illness sweeping through the Rochdale squad, Keith Hill was forced to switch his 18 man squad around with Calvin Andrew starting with Joe Thompson out. Harrison McGahey and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing were also missing from the bench.

Dale were given a glorious opportunity to break the deadlock after just eight minutes, Matt Lund was clumsily tripped inside the area by Allinson after he had initially spilled a high ball. Steven Davies stepped up but his weak spot kick was easily saved.

Chesterfield rarely threatened and their only real chance of the first half came when Jim McNulty and Keith Keane got in each other’s way allowing Gboly Ariyibi in on goal, Logan getting down well to save.

Dale were looking the more likely to score and when Henderson’s cross was cleared off the line by Evatt, the game looked destined to be goalless at the break until a piece of class on the stroke of half time. Good work from Rathbone picked out Henderson on the left corner of the area and with seemingly nothing on, he clipped a first time shot over Allinson and into the far corner of the goal.

That goal certainly knocked the visitors, who beat high flying Bolton last weekend, and they never really looked like getting back into the game.

Joe Rafferty somehow contrived to head over from two yards out early in the second half as Dale looked to add to their lead.

Another mistake gave Chesterfield a chance, Keane’s pass out of defence was intercepted before finding Ched Evans. His low shot was superbly tipped around the post by Logan.

Backed by a healthy home contingent, Dale doubled their advantage soon afterwards. Great work from Davies down the left allowed him to cross for Henderson who turned inside the area with Andrew steaming in to take the ball off his toe and into the bottom corner.

The points were sealed six minutes from time when Davies stole the ball off Evans out wide before teeing up Henderson who slammed the ball into the roof of the net from six yards out.

The full time whistle was met cheers of joy from the home fans who have not seen their side lose in the league at The Crown Oil Arena since August.

Rochdale: Logan, Rafferty, Keane, McNulty, Bunney, Camps ©, Lund, Rathbone (Allen 89), Andrew, Henderson (Cannon 89), Davies.
Subs: (not used) Lillis, Tanser, Canavan, Noble-Lazarus, Morley

Chesterfield: Allinson, Liddle ©, Donohue, Evatt, Anderson, Ariyibi, O’Neill, Hird, Dimaio (Wilkinson 66), O’Shea, Evans.
Subs: (not used) Gardner, Mitchell, Dennis, Simons, Beesley, Fulton

Referee: Mr C Boyeson
Assistants: Mr M Griffiths and Mr I Siddall
Fourth Official: Mr N Bernard

Attendance: 3,863