Football: Peterborough United 2 - 1 Rochdale

A stunning debut goal from on loan Manchester United youngster Ethan Hamilton couldn’t prevent a fourth straight defeat for Rochdale.

The 20-year-old set up a grandstand finish with a 30 yard screamer in the 90th minute but Rochdale couldn’t claw their way back level.

Home debutant Lee Tomlin curled in from the edge of the area midway through the first half to send the home side in at the interval one goal in front.

Rochdale improved in the second half with Peterborough goalkeeper Aaron Chapman pulling off a string of fine saves to deny Bradden Inman and Jim McNulty.

With Rochdale pushing for a leveller, Peterborough hit on the counter attack with substitute George Cooper firing in a curling shot.

Hamilton hadn’t given up though and his stunning shot flew past Chapman but Peterborough held on.

With the transfer window now fully open, Keith Hill bolstered his squad this week with the loan acquisition of Ethan Hamilton and Ethan Ebanks-Landell from Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers respectively.

Hamilton made his football league debut whilst Ebanks-Landell started on the bench.

Peterborough started the day in the fringes of the playoff places and Steve Evans’ side took the lead midway through the first half.

Lee Tomlin, who signed on loan from Cardiff this week, had all the time in the world to pick his spot in the bottom corner of Josh Lillis’ goal.

The home side looked the more likely to add to their lead rather than Rochdale getting back on terms.

Kyle Dempsey, another loan signing making his debut, brought about a full length save from Lillis whilst the Rochdale keeper had to be alert to clear a short header back by MJ Williams.

Keith Hill made a double change at the interval. Ebanks-Landell came on in place of Williams and Calvin Andrew was introduced with Ryan Delaney taken off.

The changes helped Rochdale and they looked more of a threat in the second half.

A quickly taken throw in set Camps into the area; the midfielder seeing a volley with the outside of his right boot go narrowly wide of the far post.

Marcus Maddison crashed an effort off the post as Posh looked to extend their lead.

Bradden Inman was introduced against his former side and the Australian brought about two fine saves from Chapman. A good bit of interplay between Inman and Andrew saw the substitute through; Chapman tipping over his shot.

Inman was played in again but once more Chapman was equal to anything he could throw at him.

Chapman was certainly the busier of the two keepers and had to be at his best to push away a stinging volley from McNulty.

Despite Rochdale looking the more likely to score Peterborough doubled their lead with five minutes left. The dangerous Ivan Toney outjumped Ebanks-Landell to flick on to Maddison who in turn found Cooper with the substitute shooting past Lillis.

With the game seemingly over Hamilton struck a thunderbolt from 30 yards into the top corner for his debut goal.

Rochdale pushed for a leveller but couldn’t force an equaliser as the full time whistle blew.

 

Rochdale:
Lillis, Rafferty, MJ Williams (Ebanks-Landell 46), McNulty, Delaney (Andrew 46), Done, Camps, Hamilton, Dooley (Inman 78), Henderson (c), Holden
Substitutes: (not used) Norman, Ntlhe, Adshead, Wilbraham

Peterborough:
Chapman, Ward (White 88), Naismith (c), Tafazolli, Lafferty, Dembele, Dempsey (Woodyard 82), Cooke, Maddison, Tomlin (Cooper 70), Toney
Substitutes: (not used) O’Malley, Godden, Reed, Stevens

Referee: Mr D Drysdale
Assistants: Mr M Amphlett & Mr R Cheosiaua
Fourth Official: Mr R Massey-Ellis

Attendance: 6,025