Rochdale 3 - 1 Maidenhead

Date published: 13 September 2024

Dale made it four consecutive wins with a 3-1 win over Maidenhead United on Tuesday 10 September.

Ryan East’s first of the season set Dale on their way before Kairo Mitchell added his fourth and fifth in three games, either side of the break.

The visitors pulled one back, but Dale held on for another victory.

Jimmy McNulty made three changes to the team that beat Aldershot Town 2-0 on Saturday.

Aaron Henry and Connor McBride returned to the starting eleven, whilst Leon Ayinde made his home debut. Harvey Gilmour, Jake Burger and Devante Rodney took their places on the substitute’s bench.

David Robson, making his home debut, was the first goalkeeper to make a save, denying Shawn McCoulsky’s effort with his legs.

At the other end, Dale’s first attempt came after an excellent passing move which led to Tarryn Allarakhia’s shot being blocked.

McNulty’s men were dominant in possession and took the lead in the 19th minute. A well-worked corner routine saw Henry pick out East at the back post, who had made a late run into the area. He took a great touch to control it before unleashing an effort into the far top corner for his first of the season.

Henry sent another superb corner delivery into the area minutes later which evaded everyone before he curled an effort off-target from 25-yards.

Joseph Ajose shot well over from distance before Dale doubled the lead in fine style.

Sassi, on his second home debut for the club, showed patience with the ball before picking out the run of Mitchell with a stunning through ball. Mitchell ghosted between the Maidenhead defence and took a couple of neat touches before finding the bottom corner with a cool finish.

The visitors were close to pulling a goal back on the stroke of half-time, but Robson made a great fingertip save to turn James Golding’s effort onto the upright.

It took Dale less than two minutes after the break to add a third. McBride’s through ball was perfectly weighted for Mitchell to run onto, and after a couple of touches, he rifled one into the top corner at the near post for his second.

The visitors did pull one back just after the half-hour mark when Joseph Ajose jinked his way into the area and slotted home.

Ayinde had a shot blocked and McBride rattled an effort off the post from 25-yards, whilst at the other end McCoulskey had an effort blocked and Casey Pettit curled one off target.

The Dale defence made a couple of strong blocks from Tristan Abrahams’ efforts and substitute Jake Burger had an effort saved low, as the game came to an end to more celebrations in front of the Dale fans.