Rochdale 0 - 0 Northampton

Rochdale started life back in League 2 with a point after this 0-0 draw against Northampton. Dale came closest to scoring when Ashley Grimes struck a post but ultimately it was defences on top for the most part.

John Coleman named an unchanged side from that which lost to Barnsley last week in the League Cup.

Dale were the better team for most of the game, trying to play the football whilst defending the aerial bombardment the Cobblers threw at them.

George Donnelly beat former Dale full back Joe Widdowson for pace down the right but his shot was blocked by the defender. Donnelly had another chance moments later but his header was off target from McIntyre’s deep cross.

Grimes was getting into good positions but was being well marshalled by Artell. Donnelly picked out a good cross but the big defender got to the ball just before Grimes to clear what would have been a certain goal.

Some of Dale’s one touch football was as impressive as has been seen at Spotland in recent years. Tutte and Grimes’ intricate passing opened up space for Donnelly but former Dale striker Clive Platt was on hand to block.

The best chance of the game fell to Grimes after a mistake in the Northampton defence. Pearson’s ball over the top was flicked on by Artell which played in Grimes. The striker was forced a little wide and whilst many were expecting the pull back, Grimes took aim but saw his shot hit the far post.

Lee Nicholls in the Cobblers goal had to be alert just before the interval when Langmead’s sliced clearance almost beat the stopper but he managed to get back to tip around the post.

The second half was much like the first with Dale the better side.

Adebola saw his close range effort go the wrong side of the post whilst Tutte tried from distance but Nicholls was comfortable.

Adebola showed great control from a Donnelly cross but the big strikers shot lacked power.

McIntyre almost broke the deadlock with a cross which was creeping inside the far post but Nicholls pushed away and Grimes linked well with McIntyre but the strikers volley was wayward.

The introduction of Putterill for the tiring Donnelly added more zip to Dale’s play but still Northampton stood strong.

Grimes saw his shot deflected wide whilst Cavanagh’s audacious volley from Kennedy’s corner brought the best out of Nicholls.

Adie Boothroyd’s side looked poor and rarely threatened Lillis with the exception of a few crosses.

One cross that did evade the Dale backline was met by Alex Nicholls but he headed wide.

All in all a positive start for Coleman’s men although they will feel this was two points dropped against a side that may struggle once again in League 2.

The manager spoke afterwards: “Firstly I’d like to offer my condolences to the family of Bryan Green (former Rochdale player and manager who died this week) he was a good servant to Rochdale. I didn’t know him personally but I’ve heard a lot about him. It’s a sad day for the club and a sad day for his family.

"We played well, Northampton are a well organised side. I was scathing at the way we defended last week; I’ve got to be praising the defending this week.

"I thought Josh Lillis was magnificent. Positive from the word go and his distribution was excellent.

"We knew it would be an ariel onslaught but we stuck to our game plan. On another day we would have scored goals and won the game. We will play worse and win this season I’m sure.

"We play some good football but we may have to sacrifice that to get a scrappy goal.

"This new dawn has started and they will give their all for 90 minutes. We were the ones asking all the questions towards the end so it proves our fitness.

"Crawley made an approach this week for Ashley Grimes but the Ashley told me he is happy here. He likes the style of football and thinks the formation suits him. I’ll be unhappy if we lose any players between now and the transfer window closing.”

Att:2558

Rochdale: Lillis, McIntyre, R Edwards, P Edwards, Pearson, Tutte, Cavanagh (c), Kennedy, Donnelly( Putterill 76), Grimes, Adebola

Subs: (Not used) Rafferty, Barry-Murphy, Bennett, Curran, Craney, Smith

Northampton: L Nicholls, Johnson, Widdowson, Gutteridge (Mukendi 66), Langmead (c), Harding, Platt, Hackett, Tozer, A Nicholls, Artell

Subs: (Not used) Charles, Demontagnac, Akinfenwa, Snedeker, Wilson, Moult

Referee: Mr T Harrington
Ass Referee: Mr G Johnson & Mr S Oldham
4th Official: Mr P Thompson