Rochdale 2 - 0 Oxford United

Rochdale v Oxford United

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Dale ended a run of five home games without a win as they dispatched Oxford United at Spotland. Late goals from George Donnelly and Bobby Grant sealed the points which moves John Coleman’s men up to sixth in the N Power League two.

The opening to the game was frenetic with Jason Kennedy testing Ryan Clarke in the Oxford’s goal within nine seconds.

Straight up the other end and the home defence were pressured into action when Craddock’s shot deflected off the outside of the post for an early corner; all this within 30 seconds.

Oxford, arrived at Spotland after putting five past Accrington on Saturday and their movement showed why.

Captain Constable headed down for Craddock but his shot whistled just over.

Joe Rafferty was preferred at full back to Phil Edwards with the youngster warming the hands of Clarke on 18 minutes. Rafferty found the ball at his feet 20 yards out and unleashed a thunderous drive which was dipping under Clarke’s bar with the stopper pushing over.

The game was a fairly open affair with both teams pushing forward.

Alfie Potter should have done better when well placed after a miss kick by Craddock but the winger fired wide.

Adebola will feel he should have done better when he met a Tutte cross, only to see his header go off target.

Lillis had to be alert to push defender Mullins’ looping header over, whilst Tutte shot agonisingly wide from 25 yards for Dale.

The second half began in a similar fashion to the first.

Oxford inadvertently hit the woodwork; a Leven corner caused a mad scramble in the Dale box with the ball eventually ricocheting off a defender and against the bar before being cleared.

Bobby Grant should have done better when put through on goal but his shot was wayward.

Coleman’s men again had Lillis to thank when the keeper tipped over Craddock's drive.

With the game heading for stalemate, Rochdale threw on George Donnelly to use his pace against a tiring Oxford backline and within four minutes they had the lead. Bobby Grant’s cross was headed home by Donnelly for his third of the season.

The former Macclesfield man was causing the visitors problems and when he crossed for Kennedy everybody thought Dale had doubled their lead but for a brilliant goal line clearance by Whing.

The home faithful didn’t have long to wait for a second as just 30 seconds later Grant scored a tap in after Donnelly’s cross.

In the end, Dale deserved their three points, which moves them back into the play-off places.

John Coleman was a happier man when he spoke after the game: “Eventually we deserved the win.

"Credit to Oxford, they took the game to us and made several chances.

"We needed a little bit of luck around our goal as well as some good defending. We looked edgy in the first half.

"I don’t think anybody can fault the work rate tonight and then we pop up with two wonderful goals.

"We know what George can do when he’s on song and he’s got himself into a vein of goal scoring form. I hope that gives him confidence to go on and do great things for Rochdale.

"We have a style of play when Adebola’s on the pitch; George come on and got himself a goal and set up the other.

"I said to the players before the game that I don’t care how we play as long as we win.”

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, McIntyre, R Edwards, R Bennett, Cavanagh (c), Tutte, Kennedy, Grimes (P Edwards 90), Grant, Adebola (Donnelly 74)
Subs:(not used) Barry-Murphy, Pearson, Craney, Logan, Smith

Oxford: Clarke, Raynes, Constable (c), Rigg, Potter (Heslop 62), Whing, Capaldi, Forster-Caskey (Pitman 82), Leven, Mullins, Craddock
Subs:(not used) Wright, Chapman, Brown, Worley, O’Brien

Referee: Mr T Kettle

Assistant Referess: Mr J Hunt & Mr L Metcalfe

Fourth Official: Mr P Marsden