Football: Burton Albion 1 - 2 Rochdale

Rochdale started the new season with a win after a first half brace from summer signing Bradden Inman set them on their way to victory.

Inman scored twice in twelve minutes as Rochdale showed a clinical side to race ahead and had chances to extend their lead before the interval.

Burton improved after the break and pulled a goal back but couldn’t get past an inspired Josh Lillis a second time as Rochdale earned an opening day victory for the first time in three seasons.

Dale manager Keith Hill named four of his summer signings in the starting line-up - MJ Williams, David Perkins, Bradden Inman and Aaron Wilbraham all started.

Coming up against a side relegated from the Championship last season, Dale started very brightly and took an early lead through Australian Inman. A long diagonal pass from Harrison McGahey found Wilbraham, whose clever nod down picked out Inman who crashed the ball in off the right hand post.

Burton had half chances; Marvin Sordell fired high over the bar from inside the area whilst a mistake in the Dale defence gave McFadzean a sight of goal but again the radar was off and the ball flew over.

Inman scored his second after a wonderful dummy by Wilbraham set Henderson off down the left. Camps’ pass out from the back looked to be aimed at Wilbraham but he stepped over the ball which gave Henderson space to race down the wing. His outside of the boot pass found Inman in acres of space inside the area and he made no mistake to double the advantage.

Burton improved a lot after the break and caused Dale problems but Josh Lillis pulled off a string of fine saves to deny the hosts.

With pressure building, it was no surprise when Burton scored with less than twenty minutes to go. Akin’s quick feet created space for a shot which Lillis could only parry into the path of Boyce, who slotted home from close range.

Bouyed by a vocal home crowd, Burton threw everything at Dale but the defence stood firm with Lillis denying Sordell on more than one occasion.

The full time whistle was met with by boos from the home fans whilst the travelling 703 supporters from Rochdale were happy their side had got off to a good start.

Burton: Bywater, Brayford, Buxton (c)(Fox 46), Turner, McFadzean, McCrory, Allen (Templeton 82), Fraser, Akins, Sordell, Boyce.
Subs: (not used) Campbell, Sbarra, Harness, Hutchinson

Rochdale: Lillis, McNulty, McGahey, Williams, Done, Rafferty, Camps (Delaney 73), Perkins, Inman (Thompson 64), Wilbraham (Andrew 78), Henderson.
Subs: (not used) Moore, Ntlhe, Rathbone, Cannon

Referee: Mr D Drysdale
Assistants: Mr N Barnard & Mr R Cheosiaua
Fourth Official: Mr W Smith

Attendance: 2,987