Charlton Athletic 3-1 Rochdale

Rochdale’s dreams of reaching the League One playoff’s were ended by Charlton Athletic after a 3-1 defeat at the Valley. Dale sit 6 points behind Bournemouth who occupy the final playoff berth but the Cherries have a far superior goal difference.

Charlton took the lead just after the half hour mark but Dale hit back 6 minutes into the second half but were only on level terms for 30 seconds. Dean Parrett fired the Addicks back into the lead from the re-start before Nathan Ecclestone powered home a Paul Benson cross. Dale had 2 strong claims for a penalty when Craig Dawson was hauled over and Matt Done was tripped in the area but ultimately, Keith Hill’s men fell short of the line but nothing should detract from what has been an amazing season.

Games like this prove just how far little old Rochdale have come under the leadership of manager Keith Hill. Playing a League game against another former top flight side in a stadium like The Valley would have been a pipe dream in years gone by for Dale fans, but it’s very much a reality these days.

With 3 games remaining, it was always going to be an uphill struggle to reach the end of season playoff’s after successive home defeats left it out of Rochdale’s own hands. What the Dale manager did know is that his side had to win all of their remaining fixtures to stand any chance of the season extenders.

The Addicks started the game much the brighter with Fon Williams keeping Raccon, Francis & Wright-Phillips at bay in the early stages. Hill’s side, with 2 changes from the team at the weekend, never really posed an attacking threat as Brian Barry-Murphy sat deep to soak up the home team pressure.

The Addicks took the lead when Therry Racon fired low into the bottom corner of Fon Williams’ goal after Jason Kennedy mis-controlled the ball to set up Racon.

The home side deserved their lead after showing more attacking play on the opening period and they could have been 2 up on the stroke of half time but for a fine save from Fon Williams. Liverpool loanee Nathan Eccleston made space in the area with his quick feet but the Dale stopper was equal to his shot which looked destined for the top corner from a narrow angle.

Rochdale came out for the second half looking much more fired up and went in search of an equaliser and only had to wait 6 minutes for parity. A Barry-Murphy corner was met by the head of Marcus Holness but Sullivan in the Addicks goal matched the defenders header but Holness was quickest to react and headed home the loose ball for his first ever League goal.

The celebrations were cut short though as Charlton restored their lead within 30 seconds. Straight from the kick off, Dean Parrett reached a ball on the edge of the area and fired beyond Fon Williams to silence the visiting fans.

The game was beginning to open up as Dale looked for another way back. O’Grady thought he had levelled but his ‘goal’ was ruled out by an assistant’s flag although I would like to see again on a replay as it looked a very close call.

Matt Done was left thumping the ground after being upended inside the box but referee Miller waved away any claims. Dale went close again but Jones completely missed his shot when tee’d up by Widdowson’s intelligent header across goal. Dawson headed an Adams corner just the wrong side of the post whilst at the other end, Raccon’s control and volley probably deserved more.

The killer goal as far as Dale were concerned came with 14 minutes left of the game. Paul Benson split the Dale defence with terrific right wing cross and Eccleston headed home from inside the 6 yard box.

With Hill’s side needing a goal sooner rather than later if they were to stand any chance of getting a result, Craig Dawson thought he had earned his side a way back into the game inside the final 10 minutes. A Dale corner wasn’t cleared by The Addicks and when a loose ball fell inside the 6 yard the West Brom Loanee was about to fire home but was hauled back by a defender to huge appeals from visiting players and fans alike but nothing given.

It was a disappointing end to the playoff dream, but I’m sure anybody connected with Rochdale Football Club would have taken a top 10 finish when the season started back in August. The Dale boss hinted at changes for the remaining 2 games as squad players may get their chance to stake a claim for next season in League One.

Hill said after the game: “I’m not disappointed with the season, I’m not disappointed to be playing Charlton next season. I am disappointed that we haven’t made more of the opportunity we have had over the last 3 or 4 games. Mentally or physically we haven’t been good enough and that’s deeply disappointing. We have shown progress from last season, we were relegation favourites but once we reached that 51 point mark we started to make inroads to the 60 point mark and then it was really on for us to push for a playoff place. It’s so unlike us to concede so quickly after getting back into the game, we are normally very strong down the centre of the pitch. We are a young team but they will learn.

“Our game plan was working in the first half. We were managing our possession, managing our energy. But to concede the first 2 goals like we did, the game plan goes out of the window. We should have had at least 1 penalty, decisions that went against us, did the officials get them right? They may have got one right but there was one definite penalty. I’ve just been assured by the (referee’s) assessor that he will have a look at it but, that games gone now. It could be time to give other players a run out but I think it would be good for Craig Dawson to say thank-you to Rochdale and Rochdale to say thank-you to Craig Dawson.

“It’s been a remarkable season and when I look back in the summer at where we have come from I will be satisfied. Those players have got to match my ambition both individually and collectively and if they can’t match them, then there will be changes. It’s going to be a really difficult league next season. When you think of Preston relegated Charlton still here, Sheffield Wednesday and possibly Sheffield United you can see. I must congratulate Bury on their promotion, it will be great to play in those derby games again and maybe it will put a few more quid in the budget”


Attendance: 13,253

Rochdale: Fon Williams, Wiseman, Dawson, Holness, Widdowson, Jones (c), Kennedy (Done 55), Barry-Murphy, Atkinson (Akpa-Akpro 70) Joe Thompson (Adams 55) , O'Grady,

Subs (not used): Edwards, Josh Thompson, Flynn, Gray

Charlton Athletic: Sullivan, Francis, Racon, Wright-Phillips, Doherty, Stewart, Benson (Solly 79), Bessone (Nouble 86), Parrett (Harriott 90), Fortune, Eccleston.

Subs (not used): Worner, Llera, McCormack, Jenkinson

Referee: Mr P Miller
Assistant Refs: Mr C Fitch & Mr A Sannerude
4th Official: R Whitton