Football: Rochdale 2 - 1 Bury

Rochdale took maximum points in their opening group game of the EFL Trophy Group B with a victory over neighbours Bury in an entertaining game which saw 15-year-old Luke Matheson become Rochdale AFC’s youngest ever debutant.

Matheson, on in the 13th minute for the injured Connor Randall, took a starring role in a first half that saw Rochda;e race into a 2-0 lead.

On loan Zach Clough opened the scoring on his debut whilst Matty Gillam doubled the advantage less than two minutes later.

Bury improved after the break and pulled a goal back from the penalty spot but Dale saw out the remainder of the game to earn the win.

Making eight changes from Saturday’s win over Coventry, Dale manager Keith Hill gave youth a chance with Daniel Adshead, who signed his first professional contract just before kick-off, Aaron Morley and Matty Gillam given starts. Youth team players Luke Matheson, Florent Hoti and Fabio Tavares all took their places on the bench.

The first action of the game saw Connor Randall leaving the field after a heavy challenge from Gold Omotayo with Matheson being called upon to replace the on loan Liverpool man.

Dale took the lead in the 17th minute, some good build up play from Rathbone and Gillam saw Clough send a first time shot into the corner of the goal from 18 yards out for his first Rochdale goal.

1-0 soon became 2-0 when Gillam went from provider to scorer with an improvised toe poked shot after some more intricate play from Dale’s youngsters; Adshead, Matheson and Gillam.

Bury rarely threatened in the first half; Omotayo heading from a right wing cross about as close as they came.

Matheson defied his tender years to put in a matured performance in the first half, bursting through the midfield time and time again which brought about standing ovations from the appreciative home support.

The early second stages of the second half went along similar lines to the first with Dale on top.

Jordan Williams will feel he should have done better when a fortunate ricochet saw the former Barrow striker through on goal but his clipped shot going wide of the far post.

Bury made three changes in the second half with Callum Styles, Dominic Telford and former Dale man Nicky Adams coming on and the changes brought about a new swagger from the League Two side.

Within seconds of coming on, Adams sent a dangerous cross from the left with Telford collecting six yards out but he was brilliantly foiled by an instinctive stop from Norman in the Dale goal.

Norman had to be alert moments later when a short header back from McNulty was seized upon by Lavery; again Norman quickly out to block the chance.

Lavery was given the chance to score from the spot after the on loan Sheffield United man was tripped inside the box. Lavery stuttered on his run up before sending Norman the wrong way. Referee Carl Boyeson seemingly disallowed the goal before signalling that the goal stood.

Bury never really looked like adding to the scoreline after that.

Olly Rathbone warmed the hands of Hudson with a blistering shot that the stopper beat away whilst Inman’s strong run made space for Gillam; the youngster firing over the bar from close range.

Rochdale: Norman, Randall (Matheson 13), McGahey, McNulty, Done ©, Morley, Rathbone, Adshead (Hoti 79), Williams (Inman 68), Clough, Gillam
Subs: (not used) Moore, Fiinerty, Tavares, Ntlhe

Bury: Hudson, Miller, Aimson, Thompson ©, McFadzean, Edwards (Telford 46), Moore, Barjonas (Adams 65), O’Shea, Lavery, Omotayo (Styles 46)
Subs: (not used) Murphy, Cooney, Nyaupembe, Hulme

Referee: Mr C Boyeson
Assistants: Mr A Pashley and Mr I Smedley
Fourth Official: Mr S Oldham

Attendance: 1,582 (359 from Bury)