Football: Rochdale 3 - 1 Shrewsbury Town

Date published: 30 March 2018

Relegation threatened Rochdale took an important three points against promotion chasing Shrewsbury in a game that ended in controversial fashion.

With the score line at 2-1, Shrewsbury were awarded a penalty in second half stoppage time, which was then overruled after referee Richard Clark consulted with his assistant.

From the resultant corner awarded instead, Dale captain Ian Henderson raced away to seal a valuable win as he slotted into an empty goal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With Dale’s precarious league position, many would have thought an easy away win with Shrewsbury in a three-way battle with Wigan and Blackburn for the two automatic promotion places but it wasn’t to be.

In-form Shrewsbury took an early lead with their first real chance; a quick breakaway by Nathan Thomas with the winger firing a strong shot across goal and into the bottom corner.

There was a lengthy stoppage so that Toto Nsiala could receive treatment after an accidental clash of heads with Stephen Humprys; the central defender carried off on a stretcher after an eleven-minute break in play.

Rochdale just weren’t at the races in the first half with the Dale manager making a tactical change after 40 minutes replacing Kgosi Ntlhe with Bradden Inman.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The change almost had an immediate effect with Inman’s pressure causing problems in the Shrewsbury defence as Camps drove a shot narrowly wide.

Deep into the twelve minutes of time added on after the injury to Nsiala, Dale equalised. Olly Rathbone was given the freedom of Rochdale as ran from the half way line unchallenged before hitting a 30-yard shot that bounced beyond the reach of Dean Henderson.

Dale came out for the second half looking much brighter and really took the game to their loftier opponents.

Callum Camps’ cushioned volley flew over Henderson but also over the crossbar.

A quick break ended with Inman foiled by a brilliant one handed save by the keeper although the referee awarded a goal-kick rather than a corner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calvin Andrew will feel he should have done better with a free header which flew well off target when he was unchallenged inside the area.

Shrewsbury’s Carlton Morris was looking dangerous and when a deep corner was picked up by the striker, he clipped a cross back into the area that beat Josh Lillis but bounced off the top of the crossbar.

Calvin Andrew had a terrific game for Dale but his radar needed tweaking slightly as he misfired once again when well-placed.

Humphrys was left frustrated when Henderson produced a good save after a flowing move down the right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Humphrys picked up a nasty looking cut above his left eye and was replaced by Steven Davies. It took the substitute just four minutes to make his mark and edge Dale in front. Camps’ deep freekick was held up inside the area by Andrew and, with his back to goal, Davies hooked a delightful overhead kick into the net from 12 yards out.

Dale needed to hold on for an important win but with Blackburn and Wigan both winning before the game, Shrewsbury needed a win to see them climb back to the top of the League One table.

Jon Nolan was involved quite heavily heading into the three minutes of added time. The central midfielder hit a dipping volley that grazed the crossbar and then he was involved in the controversial penalty incident.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A long throw from Max Lowe saw Nolan racing into the area closely followed by Rafferty. The Dale defender seemed to cleanly head the ball out for a corner, but Mr Clark awarded a penalty as Nolan went sprawling to the ground. The Dale players were furious and urged the official to consult his assistant and after a brief chat with Mr Hilton, the decision was reversed and a corner to Rochdale awarded instead, much to the anger of those connected with Shrewsbury.

From the corner, for which Shrewsbury goalkeeper Dean Henderson had joined the attack, Rochdale broke and when Inman hoisted a ball upfield, Dale captain Ian Henderson was in a foot race with his namesake, which he won to slot the ball into the empty net to seal a precious three points.

The result still sees Dale in 23^rd place but having closed the gap to safety to four points with two games in hand.

 

 

 

 

Rochdale: Lillis, McGahey, McNulty, Nthle (Inman 40), Rafferty, Done, Camps, Rathbone (Wiseman 90), Henderson ©, Humphreys (Davies 77), Andrew
Subs: (not used) Moore, Hart, Delaney, Dobre

Shrewsbury: Henderson, Hendrie (Bolton 73), Sadler ©, Nsiala (Lowe 27), Beckles, Godfrey, Whalley, Gnahoua, Nolan, Thomas (Payne 73), Morris
Subs: (not used) MacGillivray, John-Lewis, Jones, Eisa

Referee: Mr R Clark
Assistants: Mr G Hilton and Mr K Mulraine
Fourth Official: Mr I Dudley

Attendance: 4,098 (1281 from Shrewsbury)