Rochdale 1 - 1 Bolton

Chris O'Grady fires the shot that gave Dale their late equaliser

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A stunning second half goal from Chris O’Grady earned Rochdale a 1-1 draw against Bolton at Spotland this afternoon.

Dale played some impressive passing football at times against their Premiership opposition and were arguably the better side for large periods of the game.

Bolton came into the game after landing back in England yesterday following their exploits in the Carlsberg Cup, which they won in America.

Rochdale put out what some would say is their strongest line-up, including new signings Lillis, Widdowson, Barry-Murphy and Akpa Akpro alongside more familiar faces.

Bolton played a side absent of many of their first team players but one that included the likes of J Lloyd Samuel, Robbie Blake, Johan Elmander, Matty Taylor and former City man, Martin Petrov.

When the whistle went Dale wasted little time getting into the game and within 30 seconds had earned themselves a free kick on the edge of the Bolton box after Akpa Akpro was hauled down.

Dale started quickly and hounded Bolton whenever they were in possession, chasing and pressing well and dominating the opening five minutes.

Bolton’s first attack came after five minutes when USA international Stuart Holden whipped in a corner, which was headed clear.

As the half progressed and the sides settled down, Rochdale looked particularly comfortable in possession and were happy to receive the ball before working it wide along the floor to try and create an opening.

Dale looked particularly impressive with their one touch football, and the overlapping full backs, Wiseman and Widdowson, looked eager to get involved with play.

Bolton grew into the half and around the halfway stage were passing neatly to feet with Holden at the heart of their midfield work.

This soon paid off and a period of control resulted in them striking the crossbar before winning a penalty on 36 minutes.

As a high ball came into the Rochdale box Craig Dawson tried to chest it back to Lillis, but misjudged it and it struck the top of his arm. Rochdale claimed it hit his shoulder but the referee waved away their protests.

Summer signing from Burnley, Robbie Blake, stepped up to take the spot kick and calmly rolled the ball into the bottom right hand corner sending Lillis the wrong way.

Just before half time some great play on the wing from O’Grady left him in space to cross for Thompson who couldn’t quite reach it with his head.

Rochdale were unchanged going into the second half but Bolton made three changes bringing on Rickets, Riga and Petrov.

Dale again started brightly and created a couple of early chances. Former West Ham trainee Joe Widdowson was particularly active as he skipped past one Bolton defender down the wing before firing a low cross into the box.

A matter of minutes later and he was linking up well with O’Grady and hitting a first time cross which the Bolton centre backs dealt with. 

Wanderers fans got their first glimpse of Petrov as he stepped round one tackle before firing a weak shot into the arms of Lillis.

Rochdale’s new signing Jean Louis Akpa Akpro showed the fans what he could do, racing down the wing and pulling it back for Jones, who shot over the bar.

Rochdale made their first substitution on 61 minutes replacing Akpa Akpro with Dean Morgan.

With 65 minutes gone Martin Petrov brought the best out of Josh Lillis in the Rochdale goal when his deflected shot seemed destined for the back of the net until Lillis got a great hand to it and palmed it over the bar.

At the other end, O’Grady forced a good save from Adam Bogdan in the Bolton goal as his tight angled shot was touched over.

Rochdale stuck to their game plan but it was an outstanding individual effort from Chris O’Grady that brought them level after 84 minutes.

O’Grady picked the ball up and ran 10 yards unchallenged to the Bolton box before easily skipping past one defender and then unleashing a screamer into the bottom right hand corner past a diving Bogdan.

1833 people saw the game and Marcus Holness was named Man of the Match. He probably clinched it with a superbly timed tackle on Martin Petrov on the edge of the box.

After the match Keith Hill said: “It was an excellent game and both sides played it the right way.

“In our pre-season we’ve played right across the spectrum, against Rossendale and now Premiership side Bolton, and we’ve looked comfortable.

“We’ve still got a lot to do before the start of the season and we’re continuing to look to bring players in.”

When asked whether there was a change in the Dawson situation he said: “There’s no change. If you ask me Craig is a Premiership player not a Championship player.

“He does want to play at the highest level but he is very respectful. If he’s here for the full two years of his contract he will still be wanting to play football.”

On O’Grady’s superb goal he said: “Incredible goal. That’s possibly the best goal we’ll see all year; I think it was about fifteen passes before that great finish.

“At the other end Josh Lillis made an incredible save as well, that was a match winning save, but apart from that he didn’t have a lot to do.

“The thing I’m most pleased with today though is that all the players followed the plan. Even after we went one down we stuck to the plan and did the right things.”

Bolton boss Owen Coyle said: “I’m pleased with my players as the boys only came off the plane yesterday, but you’ve got to give Dale credit they played well.”

Rochdale: Lillis, Wiseman, Dawson, Holness, Widdowson, Kennedy, Jones, Barry-Murphy, Thompson, Akpa Akpro, O’Grady. Subs: Goodall, Edwards, Morgan, O’Donnell, Done, Flynn, Gray.

Bolton: Bogdan, Steinsson, O’Brien, Basham, Samuel, Davis, Holden, Cohen, Blake, Ward, Elmander. Subs: Lainton, Ricketts, Muamba, O’Brien, Taylor, Petrov, Davis, Riga.