Rochdale Town well beaten

A below par Rochdale side were well beaten by an organised Chadderton team in the local derby last night. One in the first half and three in the second was enough for the visitors to take the points back to Oldham in reasonably comfortable fashion.

Chadderton started the brighter team attacking the box with high crosses, testing the Rochdale keeper who responded well collecting with ease.

Chadderton were clearly the team with more attacking drive and they had players who were evidently comfortable with the ball at their feet to run and take on players.

Fancy footwork from Chaderton’s number ten was undone by a crunching tackle from a Rochdale defender. This didn’t stop Chadderton pushing forward and soon enough they were attacking again, this time from the right hand side with players running into the box and trying to take defenders on.

The pressure was mounting on the Rochdale goal and the deadlock was broken twenty two minutes into the game. A deep cross was met by the powerful head of the Chadderton number eleven to give them a well deserved lead.

With thirty minutes gone Rochdale began to get more into the game and play the ball on the floor which worked well but couldn’t get Rochdale the equaliser they desired. Probably Rochdale’s best chance of the half fell on thirty-three minutes as Rochdale’s number four was allowed time and space to run from the halfway line before attempting a drive which was picked up by the keeper.

On the stroke of half time a stint of possession paid off for Rochdale as after a free kick in to the box landed sweetly on the boot of Jackson who volleyed past the keeper to send the sides in level.

Early in the second half and almost a dream start for Rochdale as an effort from the 6 yard box was deflected wide.

Chadderton's goal tally soon doubled; another powerful header from a corner.

Rochdale had a chance to level from a free kick which was headed, wasting a rare chance for Rochdale.

After sixty minutes the game began to get a little heated, in true derby fashion! Late tackles began flying in as players got tired and tempers frayed.

Chadderton managed to keep their composure long enough to add a third after good footwork their number 9 taking the ball past two, leaving him free in the area to slot past the Rochdale keeper.

More clear cut chances fell Chadderton's way: two shots fired wide and over in quick succession.

With the clock ticking down Chadderton were not content with three and were pushed for another. That came after a loose ball was picked up on the edge of the area by their number 12, who took one touch before rifling the ball into the corner.

Chadderton returned to back to Oldham with a fully deserved three points after winning with relative ease.