Bury 0 - 4 Rochdale

Daniel Adshead, at 16 years and 17 days, became the youngest player in Rochdale’s history

Rochdale dominated Bury to gain three points in the group stages of the Checkatrade Trophy. A brace from Bradden Inman bookended by goals from Joe Bunney and Ian Henderson sealed the result.

This was the first time that Dale had beaten Bury by four clear goals and history was also made when the team sheets were handed in. Daniel Adshead, at 16 years and 17 days, became the youngest player in Rochdale’s history as he was named as one of the six changes to the side that started against MK Dons at the weekend. With the rules regarding selection relaxed from last year Bury manager Lee Clark made 11 changes from his side at the weekend.

Dale started brightly against the younger and slightly lightweight Bury team and had the better of the early exchanges and it wasn’t long until it paid dividends. Bradden Inman fed the ball through to Joe Bunney whose first touch took the ball away from Bury’s Jordan Williams and onto his weaker right foot. An assured finish from 12 yards to the near post and Dale were on their way.

Six minutes later and Dale were at it again, a pass from the left from Bunney was smartly left by Inman, who then turned and darted toward the area. He was found with a smart pass from the debutant Dan Adshead and with a touch to steady the ball finished in identikit fashion to Joe Bunney’s opener.

Dale were not having it all their own way; Bury were lively on the counter, particularly with the impressive Mihai Dobre on the right ring. His direct running was causing problems down the left side of the Dale defense but Nthle deputising at left centre back and Bunney playing left back combined to good effect.

One cross that made its way through the Rochdale defence was sent goalwards by the veteran Bury striker Ryan Lowe but crashed back off the bar.

Neil Danns also contrived to turn a shot into the stands when it looked easier to score.

Dale's third came in the 34rd minute when Joe Rafferty strode out of his right back position into the centre of the pitch. His measured diagonal ball set Bradden Inman up against Ryan Cooney, Inman stole ahead and running across the box picked his moment to confidently slot the ball to the left of Bury goalkeeper Leo Fasan.

Dale went into the half time break deservedly leading and Lee Clark seized the opportunity to ring the changes. Three substitutions at half time showed his intent to try and get back into this game with Reilly, Bunn and Leigh all entering the fray.

The good intentions did not last long, as just six minutes after the restart Rochdale launched a counter attack. Gritty determination of Jordan Williams in winning the ball back in his own half saw him feed the ball to MJ Williams who drove up the pitch. He was flanked on both sides by Inman, Adshead and Ian Henderson but the ball into the left channel found Henderson and his well struck low left footed finish beat the keeper and crashed off the far post to nestle in the back of the net. Rochdale’s captain's first of the season sending the 498 travelling Rochdale support into raptures.

Josh Lillis’ concentration levels were tested by a ferocious free kick from Dobre but this proved to be Bury's only real effort of the second half.

His opposite number Fasan had his gloves stung by a Joe Bunney free kick that somehow made its way through the wall. Only the quick reactions of a Bury defender prevented Jordan Slew, a second half substitute for Henderson, from putting the rebound in.

Dale's final chance of the game fell to Slew, who raced onto a Bunney long ball into the left channel. Bringing the ball under control just on the edge of the Bury box and the byline he initially shaped to pass the ball into the middle. This deceived his marker and he crashed a shot straight at Fasan, whose instinctive block pushed the ball out into touch.

The final stages saw Dale happy to hold possession at will and Dan Adshead, the 16-year-old history maker, completed a full 90 minutes on his debut.

Bury: Fasan, Williams (Bunn 45), Whitmore (Leigh 45), Shotton, Skarz, Styles (Reilly 45), Dai, Cooney, Danns, Dobre, Lowe
Substitutes: Maloney, Hill, Harker, Hulme

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Ntlhe, McGahey, Bunney, Camps, MJ. Williams (Rathbone 73), Inman (Cannon 69), Adshead, J. Williams, Henderson (Slew 55)
Substitutes: Moore, Morley, Gillam, Kearney

Referee: Mr M Heywood
Assistants: Mr D Plowright and Mr P Gooch
Fourth Official: Mr S Oldham

Attendance: 1,451