Rochdale 4 - 1 Crawley Town

Rochdale 4 - 1 Crawley Town

Rochdale moved up to fifth in League One after a comfortable victory over struggling Crawley at a frozen Spotland.

Scott Tanser volleyed home his first senior goal just after the half hour mark before Ian Henderson turned the ball in after Lewis Price could only parry Rhys Bennett’s shot.

Matt Done saw his second half penalty saved by Price and Marvin Elliott fired in from close range to set up a tense final 15 minutes.

Henderson settled the nerves with a deflected shot two minute from time with substitute Calvin Andrew finishing the scoring when he closed down a Price clearance, the ball ricocheting into the empty net from distance.

Snowfall over night meant a rallying call from Rochdale AFC was needed for supporters to help clear snow off the Spotland pitch. It was a great effort by the near 40 strong team that assembled with referee Trevor Kettle happy the pitch was playable after a 12:30pm pitch inspection.

Having beaten Crawley 4-0 earlier in the season many inside Spotland were optimistic of a repeat against a side who haven’t won in 10 games and they weren’t to be disappointed.

The first half was as one-sided a game as you’re likely to see in professional football with Crawley completely outplayed.

Dale’s Scott Tanser netted his first senior goal with a sweetly struck volley from the corner of the 18 yard box. Matt Done’s centre was pushed away by visiting keeper Lewis Price but only to Tanser who netted with aplomb.

Dale were certainly in charge and soon got a deserved second through Ian Henderson. Rhys Bennett’s low drive from distance was only parried by Price with Henderson reacting quickest to tap home the loose ball from an acute angle.

Early in the second half, Dale had a great chance of a third when Done was felled in the area by Oyebanjo. Done dusted himself down but his weak spot kick was easily saved by Price low down to his left.

That let off seemed to inspire Crawley and they went close through Elliott two minutes later but his free header lacked direction.

Calvin Andrew, on as a first half substitute for the injured Peter Vincenti, perhaps should have done better when presented with a chance by Done but his low shot was saved.

Crawley had a glorious opportunity 60 seconds later. The wonderfully named Bobson Bawling saw his shot parried by Lillis with Izale McLeod firing horribly over with the rebound from six yards out.

Crawley were starting to look a little more dangerous and halved the deficit with 12 minutes left on the clock. A needless freekick given away midway inside the Dale half was floated in with McLeod on hand to nod the ball down to Elliott who made no mistake from eight yards out.

Dale looked rattled and gave the ball away far too cheaply but still looked the more likely to take the points.

Andrew's downward header found Henderson but his close range shot was somehow smothered off the line.

Andrew was again involved for Dale’s third. His pressuring of the Crawley back line saw him win the ball in a a dangerous area before teeing up Done. The striker couldn’t set his feet for a shot but intelligently found Henderson in space who slotted beyond Price.

With the points virtually sealed going into four minutes of stoppage time, Dale netted their fourth. A delightful through ball by Henderson saw Price come rushing out of his area to clear but Andrew blocked and the ball spun back off the striker and into the empty net from 30 yards for his second goal in two games.

Dale now move onto a derby game at Oldham’s Boundary Park on Tuesday (20 January) before Stoke City arrive at Spotland on Monday 26 January in the FA Cup fourth round.

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Eastham, Lancashire (c), Tanser, Bennett, Dawson, Camps (Allen 85), Vincenti (Andrew 31), Henderson, Done (Noble-Lazarus 89)
Subs: (not used) Diba, Brandy, Rose, Logan

Crawley: Price, Oyebanjo, Ward, Walsh (c), Dickson, Smith (Harold 83), Wordsworth, Elliott, Edwards (Young 55), McLeod, Tomlin (Bawling 55)
Subs: (not used) De Lima, Bradley, Banya, Anderson

Attendance: 2,255

Referee: Mr T Kettle
Assistant Referees: Mr N Barnard & Mr P Gooch
Fourth Official: Mr P Kettlewell