Blackpool 0 - 2 Rochdale

Rochdale supporters at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool

Rochdale made it two wins out of two in the league with goals from Donal McDermott and Ian Henderson. McDermott slotted home his second goal in as many games to open the scoring with Henderson capitalising on a poor defensive header by Lloyd Jones to seal the win late on.

On a bright sunny day on the Fylde coast, Dale were looking to follow up Tuesday evening's League Cup win with victory over crisis club Blackpool. The Seasiders, playing their first game at Bloomfield Road since the abandoned game at the end of last season because of protesting Blackpool fans, were looking to kick start their season after relegation from the Championship last season.

The first half wasn’t much of a spectacle with Rochdale forcing the best of a limited opening 45 minutes.

Ian Henderson forced Kyle Letheren to tip his effort around the post whilst Joe Bunney and Donal McDermott both hit the side netting.

Josh Lillis bravely blocked a Mark Cullen shot from close range; the closest the hosts came to breaching the Dale backline.

The second half certainly had more tempo with Rochdale dictating the play for the most part.

Bunney’s run and shot brought about a low save from Letheren although the keeper couldn’t do anything to stop McDermott less than 60 seconds later. The summer recruit beat the offside trap to latch onto Camps’ through ball before neatly placing the ball under the keeper for his second goal for the club.

Dale almost doubled their advantage fifteen minutes later, Peter Vincenti seeing his turn and shot beat the keeper but not Henry Cameron who was covering on the goal line.

Lillis saved well from Cullen whilst Potts should have hit the target when he met a perfect cross from Cameron.

The points were sealed three minutes from time when Lillis’ long punt upfield caused Lloyd Jones into a rash decision with his header back to Letheren lacking pace. Henderson latched onto the loose ball to fire past the stricken keeper

It was another deserved win for Rochdale who, along with Coventry City, have a 100% start to their league campaign.

Attendance: 7,076

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Lancashire, McNulty, Kennedy (Rose 13), Allen (c), Camps (Bennett 59), McDermott (Noble-Lazarus 83), Vincenti, Bunney (Andrew 46), Henderson
Subs: (not used) Collis, Tanser, Alessandra, Andrew

Blackpool: Letheren, Ferguson (c), Robertson, Jones, Boyce, Osayi-Samuel (Thomas 62), Potts, McAlister (Oliver 62), Cameron, Redshaw, Cullen
Subs: (not used) Boney, Aldred, Dunne, Cubero, Higham

Referee: Mr D Drysdale
Assistant Referees: Mr J Hull & Mr I Siddall
Fourth Official: Mr B Toner