Football: Rochdale 0 - 0 Luton

Despite a dominant display, Rochdale had to settle for a point against a Luton Town side that played the last twenty minutes with ten men after having Danny Hylton sent off. Dale had a host of chances with Hatters goalkeeper James Shea in inspired form to deny Dale what would have been a deserved three points.

Looking for back-to-back home wins, Keith Hill was forced into one change from the Charlton victory, Matty Done replacing the injured Olly Rathbone.

The visitors, who have started the season well after promotion from League Two last term, came straight out of the blocks in this game and created the first chance of the game inside the opening sixty seconds. Jack Stacey, forward from the right back position, sent a dangerous cross towards the near post that Hylton could only turn wide of the post under pressure from Ryan Delaney.

That warning shot seemingly woke the home players and from then on they dominated the ball. A delightful through ball from Joe Rafferty found Henderson inside the box but the captain, looking for his 100th goal in a Rochdale shirt, was thwarted by Shea who came out to block with his chest.

Some of Dale’s counter attacking football was a joy to watch and when a Luton corner broke down, Callum Camps was quick to set his side on the attack. The midfielder found Done on the right and when the former Sheffield United man pulled the ball back to Bradden Inman, the Australian saw his shot saved by an outstretched leg of Shea; Jordan Williams on the follow up headed wide.

The visitors were certainly under the cosh and needed Shea to bail them out again when Dale broke through down the right once more. Dooley’s perfect ball inside the full back found Rafferty whose cross wasn’t dealt with by the Luton defence. Inman saw his weak shot find Done who had two guilt edged chances; Shea blocking both to leave the home fans frustrated.

Inman could have had a hat-trick before half-time with the chances that fell his way and just after the half hour mark, the former Peterborough man saw another chance go begging. Jordan Williams’ harrying of the Luton defence caused Shea to mis-control a simple ball and with Inman 60/40 in favour of reaching the loose ball, the striker was a little lacklustre in his attempts and Shea raced out to block.

With the clock close to the 45 minute mark, Dale had one last chance to break the deadlock before the interval. Inman’s powerful shot from just inside the box only parried by Shea with Done’s follow up deflected behind for a Rochdale corner.

Luton improved slightly after the break, but it was still the home side who showed the more attacking threat.

Inman’s clever cross field pass to Done saw the number 16 bearing down on goal, his shot only finding the side netting.

Luton rarely threatened Brendan Moore despite their counter attacking play looking threatening in the build-up. When a Dale attack was broken up, Stacey raced away to set up Collins; the striker firing over the bar when well placed.

There were fireworks on bonfire weekend when a studs up lunge by Danny Hylton on Dale captain Ian Henderson produced a straight red car from referee Ollie Yates, much to the anger of the 858 travelling supporters from Bedfordshire who let the Rochdale man know their thoughts when he continued his treatment from the Physio at the side of the pitch in front of the away stand.

With a man light, Luton sat back to defend their point and nullified their hosts.

Substitute Zach Clough crashing a curling shot off the crossbar the closest Dale came to finding a winner.

A point against a side that started the day in the playoff spots shouldn’t be looked upon as a bad result although the feeling of what might have been will be on the minds of the Dale fans as their side now head into two cup games.

 

Rochdale: Moore, Rafferty, McGahey, Delaney, Hart, Camps, Dooley, Done, Henderson ©, Inman (Clough 69), J Williams (Andrew 58)
Subs: (not used) Lillis, MJ Williams, Perkins, Adshead, Yonsian

Luton: Shea, Stacey, Bradley, Pearson, Justin, Rea ©, Shinnie (Lualua 55). Mpanzu, Lee (Cornick 55), Hylton, Collins (Sheehan 77)

 

Referee: Mr O Yates
Assistants: Mr D Avent & Mr M Griffiths
Fourth Official: Mr D Middleton

Attendance: 3,689 (858 from Luton)