Rochdale 2 - 0 Peterborough United

Callum Camps scored Rochdale's first goal

Rochdale brushed aside Peterborough United to claim all three points in the opening fixture of the new League One season. Goals either side of half time from Callum Camps and Reuben Noble-Lazarus sealed the win for Dale.

Keith Hill gave starts to two of his summer signings, Donal McDermott and Jim McNulty whilst newly named match day Captain Jamie Allen led his home town side.

Rochdale dictated the early proceedings and took the lead in the 18th minute. McDermott’s through ball to Henderson was cut out by Zakuani but he inadvertently directed the ball to Camps who, despite a poor first touch, poked the beyond Alnwick for just his second professional goal.

The goal sparked the visitors into life, Joe Gormley turning a poor Kgosi Ntihe shot on target the closest Peterborough came to levelling before the break.

Dale looked rampant in the latter stages of the first half, Henderson seeing his shot, after a Cannon cross, deflected over whilst McDermott’s scissor kick shot blazed well over.

Henderson had appeals for a penalty turned down after theatrically going down under a Zakuani challenge.

Peterborough started the second half much better but still couldn’t find a way past Lillis. Gormley drilling a shot across goal after a good passage of play perhaps deserved more.

Substitute Calvin Andrew saw his header come back off the post as Dale pushed for a second.

It wasn’t before the home faithful were celebrating again, this time through substitute Reuben Noble-Lazarus. The former Barnsley man was perfectly picked out by Henderson before drilling a shot beyond Alnwick to double the advantage.

The second goal seemed killed off any chance of a comeback from Peterborough with Dale attacking at every opportunity but unable to stretch their lead.

Andrew was denied by some brave goalkeeping from Alnwick with Henderson’s follow up shot deflected wide.

Andrew was again causing problems after his 63rd minute introduction, his radar requiring a tweak as his shooting was a little wayward.

Visiting keeper Alnwick, who was sent off at Spotland when playing for Barnsley under Keith Hill, was lucky to see a Henderson shot stay out after a fumbled save.

All-in-all it was a fully deserved three points for Dale; a first win over Peterborough since 2006.

Rochdale: Lillis, Cannon, Lancashire, McNulty, Kennedy, Allen (c), Camps (Rose 79), McDermott (Noble-Lazarus 67), Vincenti, Bunney (Andrew 63), Henderson
Subs: (not used) Diba, Tanser, Eastham, Alessandra,

Peterborough: Alnwick, Ntlhe, Zakuani, Adebayo-Rowling, Davey, Taylor (H Anderson 75), Bostwick (c), J Anderson (Collison 78), Maddison (Coulibaly 84), Washington, Gormley
Subs: (not used) Henry, Brisley, Vassell, Beautyman

Referee: Mr A Haines
Assistant Referees: Mr A Pashley & Mr B Cropp
Fourth Official: Mr W Grunnill

Attendance: 3,319