Torquay United 4-2 Rochdale

Rochdale went down to their first defeat of the season after losing 4-2 at Torquay.

Andrew Tutte gave Dale an early but then the Gulls hit back with 4 of their own.

Torquay were reduced to 10 men when Aaron Downes felled George Donnelly inside the area but Jason Kennedy saw his spot kick saved.

Dale rallied towards the end and reduced the deficit through substitute Ray Putterill but they couldn’t claw back the 2 goals.

John Coleman named the same starting 11 for the 4th game in succession and his side made the perfect start when Andrew Tutte fired home from 18 yards. Jason Kennedy’s well worked corner found Tutte who’s first time effort nestled in the bottom corner.

The lead only lasted 5 minutes as the tricky Billy Boden fired past Lillis after good build up play by the home side.

Captain Peter Cavanagh almost regained Dale’s lead but his shot came back off the underside of the cross bar. Ashley Grimes saw his dipping shot go just over the bar with Poke beaten.

The Gulls started to get a foothold in the game and Lillis had to be at his best to keep the score level. The stopper punched a cross clear with Morris gathering the loose ball but Lillis was at full stretch to tip wide.

Lillis couldn’t do anything when Downes headed a left wing corner into the bottom corner although there was more than a hint of handball by the home defender.

Rochdale: Lillis, Pearson, R Edwards (Craney 68), P Edwards, McIntyre, Cavanaugh ©, Tutte, Kennedy, Donnelly, Grimes (Putterill 55), Adebola (Curran 68)

Subs: (Not Used) Smith, Rafferty, Barry-Murphy,

Torquay: Poke, Oastler, Nicholson, Downes, Saah, Mansell ©, Howe (Jarvis 77, Morris, Bodin (Craig 81), Easton, Thompson (Cruise 75)

Subs: (Not Used) Leadbitter, Rice, Yeoman, MacKenzie

Referee: Gavin Ward
Ass Referee: Andrew Bennett & Kevin Johnson
4th Official: Mark Russell Dale’s passing became sloppy in the latter stages of the first half. Rene Howe capitalized on a bad pass but Lillis was quick off his line to smother the danger whilst Tutte’s short back pass almost allowed Howe in but the Dale keeper was again quick to react.

Torquay started the second half the better of the 2 sides and Lillis was again called into action when Thompson cut inside before curling a right footed shot but was denied by a fine save.

Coleman’s men were riding their luck somewhat and when Thompson’s shot was blocked by Lillis. The rebound fell to Boden but Pearson was brave to block on the line with the loose ball being turned wide by Howe.

Boden tried his luck from distance and although he beat Lillis the ball crashed back off the cross bar.

Rochdale’s goal had led a charmed life but the Gulls made it 3-1 and then 4-1 in quick succession. Morris had his powerful shot saved but Howe was on hand to fire home and moments later a mistake by Ryan Edwards allowed Howe to drive at goal and lift the ball over Lillis for 4-1.

With the game looking over as a contest, Coleman’s men were handed a lifeline when Downes was shown a straight red for fouling Donnelly inside the area. Referee Ward had no option but to show red and point to the spot.

Jason Kennedy placed the ball down but saw his weak spot kick easily saved by Poke.

Rene Howe was lucky to stay on the pitch when he clattered Phil Edwards very late which looked a certain booking and having already been cautioned would have seen red but referee Ward deemed it only worthy of a talking to.

Coleman brought on Putterill, Craney and Curran in an attempt to inject a bit more firepower. Dale rallied with Putterill twice being denied by Poke whilst the home keeper had to be at his best to deny Craney from 18 yards.

Rochdale did pull a goal back with 5 minutes remaining through Putterill. The substitute was on hand to fire home after neat passing inside the area.

Dale came close to closing the gap to one goal but Putterill saw another shot cleared off the line whilst Craney shot wide when well placed from Tutte’s cross.

Coleman spoke afterwards: “We had a terrible day today; we were poor in every department. No excuses, fair play to Torquay."