Marine FC 0-1 Rochdale

Rochdale ran out winners of this evenly contested friendly against Evo Stick Premier Side Marine at the Arriva Stadium on Mersyside. Trialist Danny Johnson scored the only goal of the game 5 minutes before the interval.

The Dale boss opted for a team mixed with first team, fringe players, youngsters and trialists for this game which was played on a bowling green of a surface.

Trialist Ian Craney was the first to try his luck and the former Accrington man went close with two free-kicks. His first from 20 yards was initially spilled by the Marine keeper with another trialist Mukandi failing to reach the loose ball. Craney’s second attempt was pushed wide by Pye for a Dale corner.

Craney again went close with a shot from 18 yards that went just over, whilst young full back Sam Minhan will feel he should have done better with his chance. Great build up play from Dale saw the first year pro with a sight at goal from 12 yards but he dragged his shot wide of the mark.

Dale took the lead. Pye tried to play the ball out through defence but Fowler was quickly closed down and when he tried to push the ball back to the keeper, Danny Johnson was quick to collect the ball, round the stranded stopper and slot home.

During the interval, an announcement was made that the half time break would be cut to just 5 minutes due to a flood light failure. The new lights at the Arriva Stadium had developed a problem just before kick off that couldn’t be fixed.

The second half began in fading light and with changes for both teams as the two managers gave as many players as possible game time.

Two of the substitutions, trialist Ray Putteril and first year pro Godwin Abadaki, both went close in a second half of few chances.

The game was cut short by 8 minutes with the referee deciding the light was to low to continue.

John Coleman will be happy with the workout for his younger players and those that are knocking on the door for a start in the remaining friendlies against Southport and Burnley before the first competitive game against Barnsley in the League Cup on 11 August.

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Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Minihan, Bennett, Byrne, Barry-Murphy (Gray 46), Rouse (trialist), Craney (trialists), Johnson (trialist), Watson (Putteril (trialists) 46), Mukandi (trialist)(Abadaki 46)

Marine: Pye, Dowling, Shaw, Brown, Grannon, Lawton, Fowler, Moore, Carver, Rogan, Ordish
Subs: (all used): Brown, Driscoll, Lundon, Dawson, Duff, Devine, Sayer

Referee: P Wright
Ass Ref: M Murphy & K Johnson