Rochdale 2 - 0 Altrincham

Date published: 04 March 2025

Two first-half goals were enough to see Dale overcome Altrincham at the Crown Oil Arena in the FA Trophy quarter final on Saturday 1 March.

A first Dale goal for loanee Jay Bird was followed by Tarryn Allarakhia’s strike to see Dale progress to the last four in an impressive display.

Altrincham began lively with Regan Linney causing the early problems. He fired one across the box within two minutes, a deflection taking it wide, before he found space in the middle and his close-range shot was closed down by Kyron Gordon.

Straight up the other end, Dale created their first opportunity. Gordon sent one up to Rodney who brought it down well and sent Aidan Barlow through, but his low shot flew wide of the far post.

Rodney was involved again when he closed down Altrincham goalkeeper Rob Lainton, the ball rebounding past the target.

Dale gained the advantage 14 minutes in when Sam Beckwith crossed for Bird who took it down well, swivelled and struck past the goalkeeper to get his first in Dale colours.

The visitors almost hit back moments later when former Dale man Alex Newby slipped the ball down the left to Regan Linney, Sam Waller making himself big to deny the number nine.

Barlow’s cross-shot landed at the feet of Allarakhia who stayed patient just inside the area and created an opening which he sent narrowly wide of the right-hand upright. Barlow’s corner from the far side did end up in the back of the net however a free-kick was given for a foul on the keeper to deny Dale.

As Waller came out to clear a ball over the top he was forced to retreat when Lewis Banks hit a superb effort from over 35 yards out which the Burnley loanee got back to well to prevent an equaliser.

Just shy of the 40th minute, Dale made it two. A neat interchange between Tobi Adebayo-Rowling and Gordon saw the latter square low to Allarakhia who had the freedom at the back post to slot home.

Rodney had the first glimpse of goal in the second period when Ryan East teed up Beckwith to deliver, the number 10 was picked out but he was unable to convert.

East was involved at the other end when he put a vital block on a strike from Linney after a decent run down the right from Justin Amaluzor.

With just over 70 minutes on the clock, Waller produced a classic save as Newby struck well from range and the keeper tipped it superbly onto the bar with the loose ball cleared.

Alty hit the woodwork again just three minutes later when Linney’s attempt looped up and fell to Amaluzor who crashed his effort off the post.

Newby and Linney had a couple of efforts late on but Dale held on to reach the semi-finals and they will face Spennymoor Town at home on Saturday 5 April.