Rochdale vs Hereford preview – Kids get in free

Children under the age of 12 will be admitted free of charge to Rochdale’s home game with Hereford tonight, Tuesday 12 February (7.45pm). The initiative is a continuation of the club’s efforts to attract new supporters to Spotland. Youngsters can enjoy the experience of watching football under floodlights for free during half-term week.

Fans young and old, new and long-standing, will experience what has become a must-win game against League Two promotion contenders Hereford. Dale have lost their last two games and need to get back to winning ways if they are to maintain their play-off challenge.

Keith Hill dropped a major hint in his post-match press conference that goalkeeper Sam Russell might be axed from the team after making two goal-costing mistakes in the two defeats against Lincoln and Peterborough. The former-Darlington keeper had been in particularly impressive form but he chose to leave a George Boyd shot against Peterborough which flew into the top corner and on Saturday he spilled a well struck Lee Frecklington shot, allowing Lincoln striker Jamie Forrester to follow up and score.

Rochdale will need to improve if they are to support what Lincoln boss Peter Jackson said of them after his side’s 2-1 victory on Saturday. “We have beaten a really good side, one of the top three sides in the division,” said Jackson.

Hereford meanwhile maintained their place in the automatic promotion places after a comfortable 4-1 win at home to League Two strugglers Dagenham and Redbridge. They have won their last two games and have been one of the division’s surprise packages of the league this season after only gaining promotion two seasons ago.

Earlier in the season the two sides played out a 1-1 draw at Edgar Street. It was a scoreline that Rochdale barely deserved after a poor performance. Long-term injury absentee Chris Dagnall opened the scoring from the penalty spot but his strike was cancelled out by Theo Robinson and from then on the Rochdale goal led a charmed life as Hereford pushed for the winner. Robinson comes back into the Hereford squad for tonight’s match after serving a suspension.

Rochdale have not won at home since a 3-1 victory over Darlington on New Year’s Day but have only played twice at home since then thanks to the state of the Spotland pitch. However, after a weekend of fine weather and a promising forecast, there are not thought to be any worries surrounding the fixture.

Results to Watch

Rochdale will move into the play-offs if either Wycombe or Chesterfield suffer defeat. Wycombe travel to Bury, who were buoyed in their relegation battle after a 2-1 win at Bradford on Saturday, while Chesterfield face play-off rivals at home tomorrow night.

Just below Rochdale, and on the same number of points as them, are Stockport and Morecambe. Morecambe travel to relegation threatened Mansfield, while Stockport face promotion contenders Rotherham away from home.