Football: Rochdale 0 - 1 Ipswich Town

Ipswich Town moved back to the top of Sky Bet League One after a narrow victory over Rochdale at the Crown Oil Arena. Danny Rowe’s close range finish early in the second half was enough for Ipswich to move ahead of Wycombe on goal difference.

Brian Barry-Murphy was forced into making two changes from the side that lost to Bristol on Saturday; Ollie Rathbone and Rhys Norrington-Davies both missing out after picking up knocks in the Bristol game.

Rochdale created the first real chance of the game moving the ball well down the left. Matty Done’s centre ball was flicked on by Ian Henderson; Rekeil Pyke seeing his shot deflect wide of the mark.

Dale created a couple of half chances through Done and Callum Camps; neither troubling visiting goalkeeper Will Norris.

Ipswich came mightily close to breaking the deadlock in first half stoppage time when on loan Everton defender Luke Garbutt hit the crossbar with a powerful drive from outside the box.

The visitors, who were relegated from the Championship last season, scored the only goal of the game eight minutes into the second half when winger Danny Rowe bundled the ball over the line after Garbutt’s cross was flicked into his path. There appeared to be a push on Dale defender Paul McShane but the home side's remonstrations with the referee fell on deaf ears and the goal stood.

Ipswich took the sting out of the game as they slowed the pace down at every opportunity, frustrating Dale.

Garbutt’s speculative 35 yard free-kick brought about a full stretch stop from Jay Lynch whilst the full back’s ball from the resultant corner was perfect for Luke Woolfenden; his free header glancing wide from six yards out.

Dale skipper Ian Henderson had a chance for a leveller with a little over ten minutes left. Jimmy Keohane’s cross picked out Henderson who tried a trademark lob from inside the box; his effort beating the keeper but landing on the roof of the net.

It was a promising display from the home side against one of the division’s big hitters as they now head into back-to-back cup games against Wrexham (FA Cup) and Bradford City (EFL Trophy).

 

Rochdale: Lynch, Matheson, O’Connell, McShane (Tavares 70), Keohane, MJ Williams, Morley (Ryan 66), Done, Pyke (Andrew 75), Henderson ©, Camps
Substitutes: (not used) Wade, McLaughlin, Bradley, Hopper

Ipswich: Norris, Edwards, Woolfenden, Chambers ©, Garbutt, Rowe (Georgiou 81), Skuse, Nolan, Judge (Dozzell 88), Jackson, Norwood (Keane 81)
Substitutes: (not used) Holy, Wilson, Kenlock, Huws

Referee: Mr S Oldham
Assistant: Mr C Isherwood & Mr B Gordon
Fourth Official: Mr K Evans

Attendance: 3,150 (906 from Ipswich)