Coventry City 2 - 2 Rochdale

The Ricoh Arena, Coventry

Rochdale twice came from behind to earn a point against lowly Coventry City at the impressive Ricoh Arena. Two mistakes gave Coventry the opportunities for their goals; firstly Rhys Bennett was caught in possession which led to Dominic Samuel scoring on his debut whilst Peter Vincenti gave the ball to Frank Nouble for Sanmi Odelusi to fire home. Callum Camps’ first senior goal firstly levelled for Dale before Calvin Andrew headed beyond Jamie Jones to earn a point.

Rochdale were without their leading scorer Matt Done after the striker limped out of the FA Cup defeat to Stoke. Jamie Allen returned to the starting eleven with Camps pushing into a striking role.

On a rough surface Dale struggled to get a foothold in the game with Coventry controlling large periods of the first half.

Rhys Bennett, who had just returned to the field after picking up a knock to the knee, lost possession in a dangerous position but Lillis denied Jim O’Brien with a brave block at his feet. The loose ball fell kindly to Samuel who rifled the ball into the top corner from 18 yards.

Dale responded well and were back on terms nine minutes later. A total of 19 passes led to Rafferty sending a low cross to Camps who from 20 yards sent a first time shot into the bottom corner of the Coventry goal.

After getting back level, Dale manager Keith Hill will be disappointed at going behind once more, again after poor play from Dale. Peter Vincenti played a pass to Eastham but Nouble was there to intercept and lay off to Odelusi. The winger then jinked past three defenders before curling a low shot beyond the despairing dive of Lillis to send Coventry in at the break a goal up.

It could have been worse for Dale in first half stoppage time when Samuel’s low ball across goal was perfect for Nouble but he couldn’t make a telling contact from two yards out.

Dale made a brave change at half time with Ian Henderson being switched to right back at the expense of Joe Rafferty. Rueben Noble-Lazarus replaced the full back and the change gave Dale a new impetus as they imposed themselves on the game and were again level just after the hour mark.

Stephen Dawson saw his piledriver of a shot tipped over by Jones but Noble-Lazazrus sent the corner deep to Eastham who headed back to Andrew for him to steer his header beyond Jones to level.

Coventry still looked dangerous as the game became stretched and only some excellent last gasp defending from Eastham denied Odelusi a second when played in.

Noble-Lazarus forced a flying save from Jones from 25 yards out.

Vincenti’s downward header was saved on the line by Jones as Dale finished the game strong but couldn’t force the winner.

Attendance: 7,606

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Noble-Lazarus 46), Eastham, Lancashire (c), Tanser, Allen, Dawson, Bennett (Andrew 27), Camps (Rose 82), Henderson, Vincenti
Subs: (not used) Diba, Brandy, Logan, Bunney

Coventry: Jones, Willis, Webster, Martin, Johnson (Haynes 46), O’Brien (c), Fleck, Finch, Odelusi (Jackson 75), Samuel, Nouble
Subs: (not used) Burge, Thomas, Barton, Tudgay, Thomas

Referee: Mr A Woolmer
Assistant Referees: Mr I Dudley & Mr D Plowright
Fourth Official: Mr S Barrow