Rochdale 3 - 0 Woking

Date published: 04 September 2024

Two goals from Kairo Mitchell and an Aaron Henry stunner sealed all three points for Dale on Saturday 31 August at home to Woking.

Jimmy McNulty made four changes to the side that won at Yeovil on Monday with Devante Rodney, Connor McBride, Tobi Adebayo-Rowling and Kyle Ferguson all coming into the starting eleven.

Dale began proceedings on the front foot and within four minutes broke down the right as it was fed into Mitchell whose chest and volley was collected by Will Jaaskelainen.

The Dale number nine wasn’t to be kept out for long however as he latched onto a teasing delivery from Henry to divert the ball into the top corner leaving the Woking goalkeeper with no chance.

Tobi Adebayo-Rowling was causing problems down the right as he linked up with Kyron Gordon; the wing back’s ball across was cleared and as he received it again, he fired towards goal which was repelled.

The away side struggled to get hold of the ball as Dale kept the pressure up and just before the half-hour mark, Henry fizzed in a free-kick which was met by Adebayo-Rowling at the back post but his effort went narrowly wide.

Rodney found himself in behind the Woking defence 38 minutes in, his poked effort drifting agonisingly wide of the near post after he was picked out by Luke McNicholas.

The relentless nature to Dale’s play continued as Rodney’s clipped ball was met by Adebayo-Rowling who headed back into the path of Ryan East who sent his strike wide.

Tarryn Allarakhia skipped past two challenges to send the ball back into the centre which hit a defender and just missed the target.

It was Dale who brought the chances into the second half as Rodney was played through but the forward’s left footed shot flew wide with the goalkeeper stranded.

10 minutes into the second half, Mitchell got in behind and rounded the goalkeeper but the angle closed as it was partially cleared to Henry who whipped one over from distance.

Prior to the hour mark, Dale Gorman sent one way over from distance for the visitors before Mitchell’s header lacked power to find the net.

Dale did manage to grab the elusive second goal with a moment of magic from Henry on his birthday. The ball was laid off for him perfectly and the loanee struck first time to find the top right corner for his first Dale goal.

Allarakhia had two efforts in the space of two minutes, one from inside the area and one from distance which just avoided the Woking goal.

On 66 minutes, Jaaskelainen had his heart in his mouth when Connor McBride powered one on goal which the stopper flapped at and almost allowed it to go through his arms.

Rodney was trying all he could to get onto the scoresheet, he was slipped in and took a shot on as he cut in but it was saved well. Adebayo-Rowling sent an attempt over from the resulting corner.

McBride almost made it two goals in two after Mitchell’s shot was blocked it fell to him, taking a touch past the defender and sliding a low shot wide.

Substitute Ian Henderson laid the ball off for Adebayo-Rowling to race onto but his well hit attempt was saved low.

And Dale were rewarded for the onslaught on the Woking goal with a third of the afternoon and a brace for Mitchell. A well worked move saw the forward behind the defence as he lashed the shot into the roof of the net to make it three on a perfect afternoon alongside a well earned clean sheet.