FC United of Manchester 0 - 3 Rochdale

Rochdale ended their pre-season preperations with a comfortable victory at FC United’s Broadhurst Park.

New loan signing Sanmi Odelusi opened the scoring when he headed home from close range before Scott Tanser’s deflected shot sentRochdale in 2-0 up at the interval. Andy Cannon finished the scoring with his first touch after coming on as a substitute in 65th minute.

With the opening English Football League One game only seven days away, Dale travelled the short distance to Moston to take on FC United of Manchester.

Trialist goalkeeper Semy Dieng played the full 90 minutes as he tries to earn a contract at Spotland, whilst 16-year-old Aaron Morley again impressed in midfield. Sanmi Odelusi started up front alongside Calvin Andrew.

In front a very vocal Broadhurst Park crowd, Dale never really looked in any danger against their National League North opponents and duly took the lead inside 10 minutes. Callum Camps’ back post cross was perfect for Odelusi who had the simple task of heading home from two yards out.

Odelusi and Andrew both headed wide before FCUM saw their first sight of goal - Dieng comfortably keeping out Jason Gilchrist after good build up play.

Almost immediately, Dale doubled their lead. The impressive Morley made headway down the right before crossing for Camps. The captain for the day saw his powerful volley blocked with the ball falling kindly for Tanser whose drive took a touch off a defender sending the ball past Ashley Frith.

Morley belied his tender years with an accomplished performance and almost got on the score sheet himself. The teenager nutmegged Chris Chantler before picking out the run of Joe Rafferty down the right. The fullback’s centre was blocked with Morley following up to flash a volley just over.

The start of the second half could have started disastrously for Dieng when he raced out of his area and clattered Gilchrist; referee Dave Richardson opting to caution the trialist rather than send him for an early bath.

The resultant free kick was whipped in by FCUM captain Jerome Wright but Dieng pushed away his effort.

Dale started to once again impose themselves on their hosts.

Summer signing from Manchester United, Oli Rathbone warmed the hands of FCUM substitute keeper Dylan Forth.

Callum Camps’ control and shot went narrowly over.

Keith Hill made a double change on 65 minutes with midfielder Jamie Allen and defender Andy Cannon coming on in place of strikers Andrew and Odelusi, with the duo being utilised as forwards for the remainder of the game. The impact was immediate with Cannon reacting quickest to tap home after Camps’ 25 yard free kick wasn’t held by Forth.

The Dale boss spoke afterwards and was happy with how pre-season has gone with planning well underway for the first fixture of the new season against Peterborough United at Spotland next Saturday (6 August).