Thorpe returns to hit winner

Southport 1
Rochdale 2 (Dagnall, Thorpe)
Lee Thorpe returned to the Rochdale side after five months out through injury and scored the goal that gave them victory in their final pre-season friendly before the season begins at Grimsby next Saturday.

Dale came from a goal behind to emerge victorious after Southport took a one goal lead into the half time interval on a blustery afternoon.

The conditions and the fact it was a friendly combined to make it a dull afternoon, with the Dale side putting the emphasis on giving certain players a run out and concentrating on playing good football ahead of end product.

Five or six of Dale's starting XI could be in line for a place in the side that takes to the field at Grimsby so it was a mixed side that would give little or no hint to any watching Grimsby scouts as to how Dale might line up next week.

A make shift centre half partnership of Raphael Evans and Scott Wiseman were partly to blame for Dale conceding early on. A high ball into the box caused problems and the defence couldn't cope, the ball bouncing around before Southport were able to prod the ball in at the far post.

Dale built some decent moves as the half wore on but there was nothing to trouble the Southport goalkeeper.

The second half brought more chances and Dale were soon on level terms. Chris Dagnall finished comfortably after latching on to Adam Le Fondre's low cross.

Lee Thorpe then made his welcome return to first team football and he sealed it with the winner. Will Buckley burst through the Southport backline only to be denied at the last by the goalkeeper, who saved well at Buckley's feet. The ball fell to Thorpe who slammed the ball into the unguarded net emphatically from a tight angle.

The game ground to a halt without further incident and attentions immediately turned to thoughts of Grimsby next Saturday and the start of the season proper.