Football: Everton 2 - 3 Rochdale - Lancashire Senior Cup

Rochdale advanced to the semi-finals of the Lancashire Senior Cup after beating Everton at Finch Farm.

The hosts took the lead two minutes before half-time through Ellis Simms, but Rochdale equalised in added time through Matty Gillam’s 25-yard strike.

Aaron Morley scored a stunning free-kick after the break to put Rochdale in front, before Jordan Williams doubled the advantage.

Everton pulled one back through Anthony Gordon’s late penalty, but Rochdale held on for victory.

Rochdale started strongly, as Fabio Tavares and Gillam forced the Everton goalkeeper into two good saves, whilst Lewis Bradley fired wide from distance.

At the other end, Magnus Norman held well on to powerful efforts from Manasse Mampala and Simms, with the former also firing wide from just outside the area.

Kgosi Ntlhe was replaced by James Neild midway through the opening period after picking up a knock in a heavy collision moments earlier.

Jordan Williams fired wide following Luke Matheson’s quick break forward, before the Rochdale forward was denied well by the Everton goalkeeper, who closed down his shot on the turn after receiving Dan Adshead’s through ball.

Aaron Morley had a left foot effort well held and Bradley saw a dipping effort from 25-yards superbly turned round the post.

However, against the run of play, the hosts took the lead, when a square ball well blocked by Neild fell kindly for Simms to finish first time.

Norman then made a fantastic one-handed save to deny the goalscorer his second in as many minutes, diving low to his left to turn away a close-range shot after a good turn in the area.

Rochdale weren’t behind for long, though, equalising in added time, through Gillam’s run and fine dipping shot which found the far top corner from 25-yards.

Morley and Williams both had efforts held at the start of the second period, whilst Gillam sent a left foot shot wide after a dribble forward.

Williams had another low effort held, before Rochdale took the lead in stunning fashion as Morley whipped a free-kick in off the underside of the crossbar from 25-yards.

Bradley sent a dipping shot from distance narrowly over before Rochdale added a third.

Adshead won the ball high up the pitch and squared to Williams, who finished calmly from ten yards out.

Rochdale almost added a fourth when Gillam fired a left foot effort off the face of the crossbar, before he flicked an effort narrowly wide.

A superb jinking run from Bradley saw him exchange passes with Williams before dragging a shot wide, before the hosts halved their deficit from the penalty spot through Gordon.

Williams was again involved in a great team move, backheeling for Adshead who had a shot held by the goalkeeper.

Rochdale were then awarded a penalty of their own when Gillam was fouled, but he saw his spot kick saved.

The forward then struck the crossbar for the second time in the game when he headed Bradley’s stood up cross off the face of the woodwork.

It didn’t prove costly though, as Dale held on to advance to a semi-final tie against Burnley (date to be confirmed).

 

Rochdale
Norman, Matheson, Trialist, Hamzat (Yonsian 83’), Ntlhe (Neild 22’), Morley, Adshead, Bradley, Gillam, Williams, Tavares.
Substitutes: Wade, Neild, Hoti, Yonsian, Hopper.