Rochdale 0 - 4 Oxford United

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Rochdale’s run of 10 home wins on the bounce came crashing to an end after this heavy defeat by Oxford United. Two goals in each half condemned Dale to a first league defeat at The Crown Oil Arena since August as Oxford recorded their second win against Rochdale this season.

With injury once again decimating Dale, Keith Hill was forced into making four changes to his starting line-up. With Keith Keane suspended and injuries to Matt Lund, Oli Rathbone and Steven Davies, the Dale boss brought in Scott Tanser, Jamie Allen, Andy Cannon and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing whilst there were places on the bench for a returning Peter Vincenti who has missed a large chunk of the season through injury.

On a dry and bobbly pitch, Oxford certainly looked the better side throughout as Dale tried to adapt to the change in personnel in the side.

Oxford opened the scoring in the 18th minute when an unmarked Marvin Johnson fired a powerful drive towards goal that deflected off Joe Rafferty and into the net.

The lead was doubled eleven minutes later when a mistake by Rafferty inside his own area allowed Johnson to turn provider as his back heal picked out the onrushing Rob Hall who slotted in.

Dale very rarely threatened and when they did didn’t seriously trouble Simon Eastwood. Andy Cannon was picked out brilliantly by Henderson but the midfielder put the ball straight into the hands of the Oxford keeper whilst Scott Tanser flashed a powerful shot just wide.

Hill made a double change at the interval with Peter Vincenti returning to action whilst young striker David Owusu made his professional debut; Calvin Andrew and Andy Cannon making way.

Oxford continued their dominance in the early stages of the second half; former Dale defender Phil Edwards putting a teasing ball towards the back post but defender Nelson couldn’t connect with the goal gaping.

Dale started to impose themselves for the first time in the game and went close through Ian Henderson, his stretching volley going way over the bar.

Just as Dale looked like making a game of it, Oxford added a third. A backpass by McNulty bobbled over Logan’s foot and out for a corner from which Oxford scored. A short corner was drilled in with Ryan Taylor slamming home from six yards out.

A bad day for Rochdale was confirmed when Logan tried to take a quick free kick from near his right hand corner flag. The ball dropped at the feet of Ryan Ledson who from fully 40 yards, steered the ball into the open net to finish the scoring.

Rochdale: Logan, Rafferty, McGahey, McNulty (Canavan 63), Tanser, Camps (c), Allen, Cannon (Vincenti 46), Andrew (Owusu 46), Mendez-Laing, Henderson.
Subs: (not used) McDermott, Noble-Lazarus, Diba, Morley.

Oxford: Eastwood, Edwards, Nelson, Dunkley, Skarz, Hall (Sercombe 73), Lundstram (c)(Rothwell 82), Ledson, Johnson, Taylor (Hemmings 75), Maguire.
Subs: (not used) MacDonlad, Ruffels, Raglan, Stevens.

Referee: Mr R Jones
Assistants: Miss L Rashid and Mr G Hart
Fourth Official: Mr D Srain

Attendance: 3,246