Football: Rochdale 1 - 1 AFC Wimbledon

Date published: 17 March 2018

Rochdale were left frustrated after coming from behind to draw against fellow strugglers AFC Wimbledon at a bitterly cold and snowy Crown Oil Arena.

Deji Oshilaja fired home from close range after a free-kick deflected into his path early on but Rochdale dominated from there on in.

Andy Cannon’s heavily deflected shot drew Dale level and but for some resolute defending from the visitors, Dale would have won at a canter. A whole host of chances fell Dale’s way, but they could not beat the Wimbledon defence for a second time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The game kicked off in very snowy and blustery conditions which favoured Wimbledon and they duly took the lead after just seven minutes. A free-kick just outside the Dale penalty area was fired into the defensive wall and the ball fell kindly to Oshilaja who made no mistake from close range.

Dale responded well to the set back against the side who started the day just outside the bottom four and almost drew level five minutes later. A mistake by visiting keeper George Long when he raced outside of his area allowed Done to fire a dangerous ball into the mix; Henderson on hand to gather the loose ball but his close range shot was blocked, and when Cannon found himself one-on-one, Long pulled off a stunning one-handed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ryan Delaney came close to opening his Dale account when he turned a Done cross towards goal but Tom Soares was on hand to block away the effort.

Rochdale pressed for the equaliser and it came in the 25^th minute through Cannon. Stephen Humphrys’ good work allowed space for Cannon whose shot took a wicked deflection over Long and into the net to draw Dale level.

Cannon had appeals for a penalty waved away when he was seemingly clipped inside the area.

Last gasp defending by Wimbledon captain Barry Fuller denied Inman a chance at goal.

Henderson was left frustrated when his goal-bound shot was brilliantly blocked on the line as the half time whistle approached.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The wind assist was in Dale’s favour in the second half, but they just could not break down a stubborn Wimbledon defence.

Henderson powered a header wide of the mark.

Substitute Steven Davies saw a half chance defended away as Rochdale continued to press.

The snow was beginning to fall heavier as the game neared its conclusion and when Stephen Humphrys crashed a 20-yard free-kick off the post in the last minute, Dale knew their luck just was not going to be in.

The result, coupled with results elsewhere means Rochdale are now five points from safety with up to three games in hand over teams around.

Struggling Fleetwood are next at the Crown Oil Arena, and Dale will be hoping to close the gap further.

 

 

 

 

 

Rochdale: Lillis, McGahey, McNulty, Delaney, Done, Wiseman, Camps, Cannon (Kitching 74), Inman (Davies 74), Henderson (c), Humphrys.
Subs: (not used) Moore, Hart, Gillam, Dobre, Rathbone.

AFC Wimbledon: Long, Nightingale, Meades, Fuller, Oshilaja, Francomb, Trotter, Soares, Abdou (Forrester 63), Taylor, Pigott (Barcham 63).
Subs: (not used) McDonnell, Robinson,  Parrett, Sibbick, Kaja.

Referee: Mr S Oldham

Assistants:  Mr G Liddle and Mr P Gooch

Fourth Official: Mr N Smith

Attendance: 2,667