Rochdale 4 - 3 Huddersfield Town

Rochdale v Huddersfield Town

Rochdale emerged victors in a thoroughly entertaining pre-season friendly against Chamionship side Huddersfield Town.

Dale went 2-0 up through Calvin Andrew and Lewis Alessandra before Nahki Wells’ with a precision freekick pulled one back for Huddersfield. Callum Camps netted two either side of a Sean Scannell goal, the first an unstoppable strike into the top corner. Wells got his second just after the interval to narrow the final score to 4-3.

In a fairly even opening, it was Dale who took the lead through Calvin Andrew. The striker looping a header beyond the despairing dive of Alex Smithies from Tom Kennedy’s centre.

Dale soon doubled their advantage with a fantastic flowing move. Captain for the day Joe Rafferty played to Andrew who’s first time flick picked out Camps wide on the right. The young midfielder played a perfect square ball for Alessandra to tap home.

Huddersfield halved the deficit when former Dale striker Harry Bunn was felled by Rafferty on the edge of the area. Nahki Wells stepped up to place the freekick into the top corner with Josh Lillis rooted to the spot.

Dale responded well to conceding with Andrew warming the hands of Smithies. Noble-Lazarus’ shot deflected to Rafferty who in turn picked out Andrew but his shot was straight at the keeper.

Camps was beginning to find his feet in the game and had a sighter just shy of the half hour mark but his next effort was simply superb. After turning two Huddersfield defenders, Camps then hit an unstoppable shot from almost 30 yards.

The two goal lead lasted a matter of seconds after Well’s run and cross on the left for Scannell to slide in at the back post.

Camps got his second of the game in comical circumstances. Noble-Lazarus’ pass out to Andrew saw the big striker beat the offside trap before crossing but Whitehead made a right mess of the clearance. Camps was on hand to slot the loose ball under Smithies.

The game wasn’t as open in the second half although Huddersfield got another back just three minutes after the re-start. Well’s picked up inside the area and fired a shot under Lillis.

The travelling Huddersfield contingent thought their side had levelled when Joe Lolley waltzed into the area, his clipped shot just evading the back post.

Joel Lynch put an awful challenge in on Kisimba Kisimba which immediately saw his substitution by Huddersfield manager Chris Powell.

As the changes came from both managers in the later stages, Dale’s new signing Donal McDermott came close when he raced onto a long ball. Visiting keeper Smithies had come a long way from goal and was happy to see McDermott’s shot drift wide.

The game was heating up with tackles flying in from both sides, which isn’t the normal for pre-season games.

Lillis brilliantly tipped a Wells shot against the post with Kisimba bravely blocking the follow up from Jordi Hiwula.

Its back-to-back wins against Championship sides in pre-season for Rochdale as they prepare for their League One campaign starting 8 August.

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty (c) (Hooper 54), Eastham, Barry-Murphy, Kennedy, Kisimba, Rose, Camps (Allen 71), Noble-Lazarus (McDermott 66), Alessandra (Bell 71), Andrew
Subs: (Not used) Collis, McNulty, Lancashire, Vincenti, Tanser, Cannon, Henderson.

Huddersfield: Smithies, Smith, Whitehead (Hogg 80), Hudson (c), Scannell, Butterfield, Craine,Bunn (Hiwula 68), Lolley, Wells (ammill 84), Lynch (Wallace 71)
Subs: (not used) Alinson , Dempsey, Boyle.

Referee: Mr A Madley
Assistant Referees: Mr ATankard & Mr R Wild
Fourth Official: Mr P Sporne