Rochdale were able to ease to a 3-0 win against Stalybridge Celtic in yesterday’s pre-season friendly.
The Dale were able to stay in Sky Bet League One after finishing above the relegation zone by just one point last season. While they were delighted to stave off relegation, the team and their fans will not want to have it so close this season and would much prefer a boring mid-table finish. And their performance today will give the fans hope that might happen.
It did take a while though for Rochdale to score the opening goal. Towards the very end of the first half, Matty Done sent in a corner and Calvin Andrew headed the ball into the ground and then into the top of the net.
Andrew would not be able to add to this as during the half-time break head coach Keith Hill would swap the entire team out as many now do in these early stages of pre-season. And perhaps a bit unhappy at not starting the game out, this Rochdale side came out with a vengeance. Early on in the second half, there was some nice passing between Bradden Inman and Dan Adshead before the former decided to curl it into the net.
And Rochdale fans were sent home happy with a late goal to make it 3-0. He was able to control well after a ball over the top and he was able to get the ball past the Stalybridge goalkeeper.
Rochdale will next be in action against Stockport County on the 17th July.
