Heavy defeat for Town in opener

Rochdale Town had little to cheer on the opening day of the season as they went down by five goals to nil at home to AFC Liverpool.

Liverpool are tipped by many for promotion this season and their performance in the season's opener showed why.

Town held out until the 38th minute before Liverpool opened the scoring with Mark Canning making some fine saves to keep the visiting strikers at bay.

Town had done well to keep the visitors within touching distance in the first half but they struggled in the second as Liverpool pulled away.

The visitors missed a penalty before extending their lead on the hour mark. Ojapah grabbed his second after Town could only half clear a ball into the box and then Liam Coyne hit a thunderbolt to put Liverpool three goals to the good.

Ryan Wignall made it four before Ojapah completed his hat-trick after a fine turn to beat his marker and rifle another fine strike.

A spokesperson for Rochdale Town said: "There were a number of very inaffective performances from a number of Rochdale Town players and this performance did not reflect on some of the pre season work and tactics coached by a very much missed new Head Coach Dean Stokes, who is away on a pre-arranged family holiday for the first three games.

"With only a couple of shots on goal by Rochdale Town, in the whole game, this is an alarming statistic that needs to be addresed quickly in the next games.

"Few Rochdale players warrant a positive mention but Liam Ratcliffe was the only outfield player that produced a credible performance that at times worried the Liverpool back four, and keeper Mark Canning for a number of saves."

Town are in derby action tomorrow when they visit Oldham Town (7.45).