Southport 3 - 1 Rochdale

Date published: 06 August 2012


Rochdale’s penultimate pre-season friendly ended in defeat at the hands of Conference Premiere side Southport. Two goals in the first half and one shortly after the break condemned a young and relatively-inexperienced Dale side to defeat. Neil Byrne netted a late consolation for Coleman’s men.

The Dale boss opted for a similar team to that which beat Marine on Tuesday with mainly squad players and youngsters with a couple of trialists thrown in too.

Southport started the game the  better side as boss Liam Watson prepared his troupes for the start of their Conference Premiere League campaign next week.

Southport took the lead from the penalty spot after young fullback Sam Minihan tripped the pacey Shaun Whalley. The winger picked himself up to send Smith the wrong way.

Smith was by far the busier of the two keepers and pulled-off a wonderful save from Moogan, tipping the ball over the bar.

The trialist keeper could do nothing to stop Russell Benjamin’s superb volley from making it 2-0.
 

The two goals  sparked Dale into life. Craig Curran glanced a header over from a corner whilst McConville linked well with Curran with the striker shooting. Former Dale defender Simon Grand blocked bravely.

It took until the 41st minute for Coleman’s side to get a shot on-target when Curran’s weak effort was easily gathered by Nemes.

The second half was largely a non-event with both teams making lots of changes, but Southport went three up just after the restart. Bakare found space on the edge of the area and somehow managed to scuff the ball home from 12 yards.

Dale trialists Putterill and Rousse had shots at goal but it took until the 90th minute for the consolation; Neil Byrne heading home from a Luke Watson corner.

By the end it was a very young Rochdale side on the Haig Avenue pitch, with all-but-two being under 19 years of age.

Fans will be hoping to see the first team in action when Dale play Burnley in their final pre-season friendly at Spotland on Tuesday. Supporters can pay on the gate for the 7.30 kick-off.

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