Rochdale 1 - 3 Hartlepool

Rochdale are still searching for their first League win of the season after being defeated 3-1 at home to Hartlepool United. Jean Louis Akpa-Akpro levelled for Dale after Adam Boyd headed the visitors in front but a brace from substitute James Poole sealed a first win of the campaign for The Pools.

Steve Eyre named an unchanged side from that which beat Premier League QPR in midweek. That meant a first start in the league for keeper Dave Lucas whilst Pim Balkestein continued in defence with Neal Trotman sitting on the bench after missing the midweek trip to Loftus Road through suspension. New loan signing from Luton Matthew Barnes-Homer was named on the bench.

The home side went behind on 8 minutes when Paul Murray put in a floated cross and Adam Boyd sent a looping header beyond the reach of Lucas in the Dale goal. The goal was a sickener for Eyre’s men as they looked to continue were they left off on Tuesday evening but the early goal brought a positive response from Dale. Nicky Adams’ trickery bought him space but his centre was cut out.

Just 8 minutes after going behind, Dale were back on terms. Gary Jones clipped in a delightful ball that sailed over the last defender with Akpa-Akpro volleying beyond Flinders to level the game.

That goal seemed to spur Dale on as they went in search of a second that sadly never came. Gary Jones linked well with Grimes on the edge of the Pools area who in turn played a one-two with Akpa-Akpro but Grimes’ shot deflected wide.

Great endeavour from the home skipper Jones brought a chance for Akpa-Akpro but the Frenchman’s first touch let him down when well placed and Flinders rushed out to gather.

With the scores level at half time, Steve Eyre would have asked his players to continue in the same vein as the first half but any team talks went out of the window inside 2 minutes of the re-start. Andy Monkhouse centred for substitute Poole and the former Manchester City trainee sent a cushioned volley over Lucas to re-take the lead.

Again Rochdale responded well to the goal with Widdowson playing a large part in Dale attacking play. Firstly he got to the bye line but his cross was blocked and Kennedy would have levelled but for brave defending from Hartley. Widdowson pressed forward again moments later with a jinking run and shot which brought about vociferous appeals for handball from players and fans alike but Mr Haywood waved away penalty claims.

Tutte flashed a shot across goal as the clock ticked down whilst Dale sub Joe Thompson headed straight at Flinders from close range after a Darby cross.

With the home side pressing for an equaliser, gaps were left at the back and the game was wrapped up with 3 minutes remaining when Poole got his second of the game. Humphreys sent a long ball over the Dale defence for Poole, who seemingly offside, controlled impeccably on the edge of the area and with his second touch lifted the ball over the onrushing Lucas for 3-1.

Dale pushed for a consolation in stoppage time but the game was out of reach and Eyre’s men crashed to a 3rd defeat of the season.

With a couple of potential signings watching on from the stands, the new Dale boss needs to get a couple of players in to offer more options and then hopefully the points will come.

Steve Eyre spoke after the game: “It’s hard to take but I would like to see the 3rd goal again as we felt it was offside. Fair play to Hartlepool for the way they came out in the second half, they probably just about shaded it in the end. We are giving ourselves too many mountains to climb too often at the minute. We are doing too much chasing and not being able to play with freedom after taking a lead. Both teams should be settling at the start of the second half but we have given away needless corner and it’s a world class finish from James Poole. I haven’t seen the video so I can only say from seeing it firsthand but I felt we should have been given a penalty. The players all say it was so we are disappointed not to get it.

“We are relentless with our effort but we need to be better in both penalty areas. The opposition have got into our area 4 times but they managed to score 3 goals, we had a hell of a lot of pressure in their penalty area but only scored one. We have been trying to get players in all the time. We have spoken to 4 forwards over the last couple of days, we have made enquiries, we have made bids but we will have to wait and see. I’m almost certain we will bring players in but it’s making the correct decisions on these players. Matthew Barnes-Homer is a natural goalscorer and he has potential. He got into a rut at Luton so his opportunities have been limited at Luton. We have got him until January so we can have a good look at him.”

Att:2600

Rochdale: Lucas, Widdowson, Holness, Balkestein, Darby, Jones ©, Tutte, Adams (Barnes-Homer 72), Kennedy (Thompson 61), Grimes, Akpa-Akpro

Subs (not used):Kean, Trotman, Twaddle,

Hartlepool United: Flinders, Austin (c), Humphries, Liddle, Horwood, Nish (Poole 38), Boyd (Brown 70), Monkhouse, Haslam, Murray, Hartley

Subs (not used): Baldwin, Rafferty, Holden

Referee: Mr M Haywood
Ass Referee: Mr D Meeson
Mr O Yates
4th Official: Mr A Backhouse