Football: Ipswich Town 2 - 0 Rochdale

Brian Barry-Murphy

Rochdale’s first ever visit to Portman Road ended in defeat on Saturday (26 September) after two goals in six second-half minutes saw the home side run out comfortable winners. Teddy Bishop opened the scoring eight minutes into the second half when he latched into a low ball into the area to slot past Gavin Bazunu.

1-0 soon became 2-0; Gwion Edwards capitalising on a deflected ball into the area that gave him all the time in the world to slide the ball into the bottom corner. Dale had an Alex Newby goal ruled out for offside, but Tomas Holy in the Ipswich goal wasn’t really stretched.

Brian Barry-Murphy gave a debut to new signing Jake Beesley in two changes from last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Portsmouth. Eoghan O’Connell was passed fit to start but Ryan McLaughlin and Stephen Humphrys missed out.

Ipswich came into the game with a 100% start to the season and only a Gavin Bazunu flying save denied Oli Hawkins a goal thirteen minutes in. The former Portsmouth striker powered a header at goal that Bazunu somehow kept out at full stretch to his right. Hawkins went close again moments later with a neat turn and shot that cannoned back off the woodwork.

Beesley was looking lively on his Dale debut and almost got a dream start in a Rochdale shirt midway through the first half. Matty Lund’s centre saw the striker throw himself at the ball inside the six yard box; his connection not strong enough to turn it towards goal.

Paul Lambert’s side finished the first half strong with a few good chances. Bazunu got down well to keep out Jon Nolan whilst Keohane cleared Freddie Sears’ cross-cum-shot off the line.

After keeping Ipswich at bay throughout the first half, it took only eight minutes in the second half for Dale to concede. Hawkins’ strong hold up play on the left corner of the box gave him space to feed Bishop who made no mistake from 10 yards.

The second goal came soon after to kill off the game. Alex Newby was caught in possession on the half way line and when Stephen Ward’s low cross deflected off O’Connell, Edwards notched his first of the season with a low shot past Bazunu.

Dale rarely threatened Holy’s goal but they did have the ball in the net with 15 minutes left, however, Newby was flagged offside. A great through ball picked out the summer signing although the flag cut short his celebrations.

Beesley did force Holy into a save late on that had it beaten the 6’9” Czech keeper, he would have been disappointed as the shot lacked power.

Rochdale: Bazunu, Keohane, McShane, O’Connell (c), Done, Ryan (Dooley 63), Morley (Brierley 88), Lund, Newby, Beesley (Tavares 88)
Substitutes: (not used) Lynch, McNulty, Hopper, Dunne

Ipswich: Holy, Chambers (c), Nsiala, Wilson, Ward, Dozzell, Bishop (Downes 63), Nolan, Edwards, Sears (Lankester 75), Hawkins (Norwood 75)
Substitutes: (not used) Cornell, Donacien, Kenlock, Huws

Referee: Mr J Busby
Assistants: Mr D Treleaven & Mr M Chard
Fourth Official: Mr R Whitton