Rochdale 4 -1 Blackburn Rovers U21s

Date published: 07 November 2024

Dale kicked off their National League Cup campaign with a 4-1 win over Blackburn Rovers at the Crown Oil Arena on Tuesday night (5 November).

Debutant Jid Okeke opened the scoring in the first-half, although Rovers equalised just before the break.

A second-half double from Aidan Barlow and a third goal in three games from Ian Henderson sealed all three points.

It was a much-changed team for Dale, with Brad Kelly starting in goal and Okeke making his first Dale appearance. Josh Lillis, recently appointed head of goalkeeping, took a place on the bench after registering as a player.

Dale's all-time leading goalscorer, Ian Henderson, fresh from scoring his 150th goal of the club on Saturday, captained the side in his 450th Dale appearance.

Courtney Senior and Adam Caddick exchanged efforts off target in the early stages, whilst Jili Buyabu saw a dangerous cross smothered and Zack Stritch had an effort deflected wide.

It was Dale that opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Okeke opened his Dale account. He intercepted a pass into midfield on the halfway line and drove forward before finding Henderson. The number 40 played it back to Okeke in the middle, who fired low beyond goalkeeper Jack Barrett.

Matthew Dennis and Henderson both hit efforts off target, as did former Dale Academy player Igor Tyjon at the other end for Rovers.

Aodhan Doherty hit a shot off target and Dominik Biniek saw a shot well saved by Brad Kelly, before the visitors equalised.

Caddick’s cross from the right was met by the deep run from Matthew Litherland, who nodded home from the edge of the six-yard box.

The teams went into the break level, but less than a minute after the restart, Dale were back in front.

Barlow received a ball on the edge of the area and beat a defender before seeing his initial shot saved. However, the rebound fell kindly for him, and he slotted home into an empty net from six yards out.

The summer signing doubled his tally and Dale’s lead ten minutes later, finishing off a fine move.

Dale worked it out to first-half substitute Ody Alfa on the right, who pulled the ball back into the middle for Barlow to slot home coolly with his side foot.

He came close to a hat-trick midway through the second half, when a well-worked short corner routine found Barlow in the area, but his curling left foot effort was well held low down by Barrett.

Barlow hit another effort off target and Brad Kelly made a fine low stop from Litherland’s effort.

Dale were in full control and made sure of the win in added time, with Henderson scoring his 151st goal for the club with a trademark chip from Barlow’s pass.