Dale begin pre-season with victory

Southern Premier League outfit Gloucester City's ground

Gloucester City 1 Rochdale 2

Rochdale kicked off their pre-season fixtures with a visit to Southern Premier League outfit Gloucester City on Saturday 15 July.

A seriously hot day at Meadow Park meant a tough first outing for Steve Parkin’s men and they eventually won the game with two second half goals cancelling out a second minute opener for the Tigers.

The well-organised home outfit provided a good test for Dale but the score line flattered Gloucester with the visitors missing some gilt-edged opportunities.

The game gave Steve Parkin a chance to assess some trial players and some of the younger players in his squad, whilst the few travelling supporters had a chance to see Dale’s only new recruit thus far, Adam Rundle, and the summer signing from Mansfield did not disappoint with an enterprising performance on the left wing.

Despite the heat the opening exchanges were full of action and the Dale manager had something to ponder over defensively when Gloucester took the lead in just the second minute. A free kick was awarded for an innocuous looking challenge on the right, Fowler whipped a deep cross in and with the Dale players appealing that the ball had gone behind Bevan headed the ball back across goal for Welsh to score a simple tap-in.

The goal was an early shock for the visitors but if truth be told, other than claiming a few crosses, Gilks was a virtual spectator in the Rochdale goal after picking the ball out of his net.

Dale looked to hit back immediately in an exciting opening period. Lambert should have equalised after Christie put him clear but his dink over the keeper went the wrong side of the post.

The exciting Rundle was next to try his luck, after cutting in from the left and beating two defenders he drew a good save from Bath in the Gloucester goal.

Dale continued to press but they found Bath in inspiring form as he kept out Jones’ shot from the edge of the box and then again denied Rundle by tipping his free kick over the bar. However, Bath could only watch when Lambert met Christie’s cross with a firm header, but again the ball flew inches past the post.

Gloucester battled hard against their higher-class opponents and one or two tasty challenges let the Dale players know that there were two sides in the game. One such tackle ended Rickie Lambert’s afternoon on thirty minutes with a knock to his ankle and Chris Dagnall replaced the striker.

Rochdale continued to dominate proceedings as far as opportunities were concerned with Iyseden Christie posing a strong threat up front. He had the final attempt of the opening period after trial player Lawless found him in space inside the box but again Bath was equal to Christie’s curled effort with a good low save.

Steve Parkin introduced John Doolan at the break for Ernie Cooksey and immediately the change paid off as the midfielder played the ball through for Christie, who turned inside his man, and this time Bath was helpless as the Dale forward fired the ball into the far corner.

Rochdale continued to press and they scored their second on sixty-five minutes. Doolan’s raking diagonal ball was collected by Rundle in his stride and he got to the by-line and fired the ball back for substitute Clive Moyo-Modise to tap in with his first touch.

The heat and numerous substitutions meant the rest of the game was played out almost at walking pace. Rochdale’s substitute goalkeeper Lewis Edge had as much to do as Gilks, whilst Dale continued to push without creating anything further of note.

The game provided a good opening workout for Dale and playing in such heat will do the players’ fitness no harm.

Adam Rundle was the pick of the Dale players and he looks an exciting prospect on the left wing.

The worries for the Dale boss will be on the opposite flank where trial player Lawless was disappointing and at centre-half where options are limited; trial player Nathan Stanton was solid after coming on in the second half but it is by no means certain that he will become a permanent fixture having also played in a friendly for Walsall this week.

The squad are utilising the excellent facilities at Gloucester University and will remain in Gloucester until Tuesday night’s friendly at Worcester, kick-off 7.30pm.