Rochdale 0-1 Brentford

Rochdale dropped out of the playoff places after Brentford grabbed a late winner through Robbie Simpson. Keith Hill’s men created opportunities throughout the game but the closest they came was when Nicky Adams struck the post.

Will Atkinson was preferred in the starting 11 to Joe Thompson who dropped to the bench. Nicky Adams started the game against the side he signed from.

After the magnificent result in midweek, Keith Hill’s side were looking to make it back to back home wins to keep the pressure on Bournemouth who beat Notts County in the early kick off. Brentford arrived at Spotland 9 points behind Dale and with a very slim chance of reaching the playoffs but victory for them would be vital.

The visitors started the game very brightly and penned the home side back in the early exchanges but couldn’t create anything of note. Dale started to find their feet with Atkinson & Jones going close.

Myles Weston had the home fans gasping when his dipping 30 yard effort hit the underside of the cross bar before being cleared and from the corner, Osborne flashed a header wide.

The game was  a very open affair with clear chances a t a premium but the Bee’s did carve open the Dale backline when Grabban & Simpson exchanged passes but Fon Williams was quickly out to block Grabban’s goal bound shot.

Rochdale looked dangerous on the counter attack and Done’s pace caught Brentford out but his shot went just wide. Gary Jones was the next to have a go but his shot nicked wide off a defender.

Nicky Adams thought he had opened the scoring after he picked up on the right and cut inside but his left footed effort came back off the foot of the post.

Hill’s side looked a little jaded after their exploits in midweek and Brentford tried to take advantage early in the second half. Diagouraga’s run and shot curled wide whilst Simpson’s header was hacked away by Williams.

At the other end O’Grady tested the reactions of Moore who pulled off a fine low save and moments later O’Grady beat the keeper but also beat the near post with a powerful drive.

Brentford should have edged in front with 13 minutes to go when Weston’s centre wasn’t controlled by Grabban with Saunders firing the loose ball over but they weren’t to be denied for long as just 2 minutes later they went in front. Sam Saunders’ perfect right wing cross caught the home defence napping with Simpson getting his head to the loose ball past Fon Williams.

The goal looked likely to be the decider as Rochdale couldn’t find the key to unlock the Bee’s door. Sub Liam Dickinson saw his shot charged down with Kennedy’s follow up also blocked.

Even the 5 minutes of added time couldn’t provide Dale with an answer and the game ended in defeat for Hill’s men.

Keith Hill said: “We had no energy. It’s been a difficult decision this week trying to wrestle with what to do. The lads deserve credit for the effort they have put in but it lacked energy. We play an energetic, high tempo game but coming off the back of the Southampton game, an away game probably would have suited us better.

“We were found wanting today and it was like trying to flog a dead horse, we have taken every ounce of energy out of these players all season but today was a great away performance by Brentford. One goal was always going to decide the outcome of the game. We have got a full week now which will be crucial for us as we try and rest and recover and will have hardly any time on the training ground.

“We are still in with a chance of the playoffs but there is only one place up for grabs which I think is between ourselves, Bournemouth, Leyton Orient and Exeter. Brentford have now got an outside chance but I think Exeter are the dark horses.

“The defence could have dealt with the goal better but they have been magnificent all season. When there is no pressure on the ball, you have to match runs and that’s twice that we have lost 1-0 when we haven’t matched runs. I would have taken a point today and I would have taken a point against Colchester and those 2 points would have matched us to Bournemouth.

“I understand why we haven’t had the energy today, I haven’t got a 25 man squad that I can rotate, and these players have put everything into everything we have achieved this season.”


Attendance: 2963

Rochdale: Fon Williams, Wiseman , Dawson, Holness, Williams, Atkinson (Joe Thompson 56)  Jones (c), Kennedy, Adams (Dickinson 56), Done (Akpa-Akpro 86), O'Grady.

Subs (not used): Edwards, Josh Thompson, Barry-Murphy, Widdowson,

Brentford: Moore, O’Connor (c), Bean, Balkestein (Woodman 46), Saunders (Wood 87), Weston, Grabban, Diagouraga, Osborne, Simpson, Neilson

Subs (not used): Royce, Spillane, Reed, Schlup, Byrne

Referee:    Mr D Drysdale
Assistant Refs:    Mr AH Greenwood & Mr R Joyce
4th Official:    Mr J Knowles