Rochdale 4-1 Cheltenham Town

Rochdale ended their dismal run of form by serving up a real Christmas cracker at Spotland. Bobby Grant and Ashley Grimes put Dale into a fully deserved half time lead with Phil Edwards putting through his own goal just after the re-start. Grimes got his second with a neat finish whilst Dele Adebola tapped home after Grant saw his effort saved by the impressive Scott Brown for Cheltenham.

Grant came back into the starting line-up after missing last weekend through an injured shoulder whilst Ryan Edwards earned a recall to the defence.

Rhys Bennett moved from central defence to right back with Matt Pearson missing out.

Having started slowly in recent games, John Coleman’s side set about their task from the off with visiting keeper Scott Brown earning his salary with a string of fine saves. Grimes’ ferocious volley was well saved but as the ball fell to Andrew Tutte, the vice captain was denied by a wonder save from Brown who got to his feet quickly to tip over the bar.

Jason Kennedy was thwarted when a fortuitous ricochet landed at his feet but Brown was quickly down to save with his legs.

Cheltenham hadn’t really shown much of an attacking threat but were almost gifted an opener. Josh Lillis rolled a short ball to Kennedy who was closed down quickly and in trying to release back to the keeper, gave the ball straight to Harrad. Although the striker rounded Lillis, Phil Edwards was on hand to block well.

Dale continued their dominance after that.

Adebola was through but Brown blocked and when the stopper was beaten by Bobby Grant, the cross bar came to his rescue.

With half time approaching, Dale deservedly took the lead. Adebola’s lay off to Grant opened space and the striker curled a wonderful strike over Brown and into the top left hand corner.

The goal seemed to release a pressure valve around Spotland and Dale went in search of more goals.

Kennedy warmed the hands of Brown again with a powerful drive as the keeper continued his one man side show.

Cheltenham's man-of-the-match could do nothing to stop Grimes doubling the lead deep into first half stoppage time. An almost mirror image of Grant’s opener saw Grimes curl his shot into the top right hand corner to open up a two goal half time lead.

With the buzz back around Spotland, the half time chat was how many would Dale score but that was soon dampened three minutes after the re-start. Zebroski’s long range shot was spilled by Lillis and with no striker nearby, Phil Edwards inadvertently sliced the ball into his own net to give Mark Yates’ side a lifeline.

The goal did spark a bit of life into the visitors and skipper Alan Bennett should have done better when he latched onto a neat flick but couldn’t convert from six yards.

That warning acted as the bolt of lightning Coleman’s men needed and from then on it was all Dale.

Bennett’s angled drive was pushed around the post whilst another Adebola run at goal was well saved.

Kevin McIntyre felt he should have had a penalty after an unorthodox coming together with Jombati and Grant will feel he should have done better when he reached for a Kennedy centre but couldn’t connect.

The third and fourth goals came soon after. Grimes’ run across the edge of the area made space for him to fire into the bottom corner to increase the lead and 90 seconds later Adebola rounded off the rout.

Grant's shot was again well saved but the ball fell kindly to the veteran striker who tapped home from five yards.

More half chances followed but Brown kept the score down to four.

It was a much improved performance from Rochdale who head into the busy Christmas period full of joy.

John Coleman said: “We made just as many chances against Exeter a fortnight ago but we conceded silly goals.

"Tonight we put the ball in the net.

"Football is about winning and we asked the players what success would be tonight which was winning; we got them into a mindset that they could be successful against anybody.

"The players gave their all and they got what they deserved.

"We’ve gone three down in games but come back to get the score back to 3-2.

"When we conceded the lads could have let their heads drop but they showed a steely determination and thankfully we pushed on.

"Cheltenham are a good side and they will be in the play-offs if they don’t go up automatically.

"Bobby Grant should take all the plaudits tonight. He was told by a specialist this week that he shouldn’t play for three weeks but he went against that advice and put in a performance like that.

"Ashley (Grimes) is a top player. His body language sometimes makes it look like he isn’t trying; but nobody is trying harder than Ashley. He’s probably the most talented footballer at the club and I’m delighted for him.”

Attendance: 1605

Rochdale: Lillis, P Edwards, Bennett, R Edwards, McIntyre, Cavanaugh, Tutte, Kennedy (Craney 86), Grant (Putterill 82), Adebola (Donnelly 75), Grimes
Subs: (not used) Barry-Murphy, Pearson, Smith, Rafferty

Cheltenham: Brown, Jones, Carter, Elliot, Pack (McGlashan 46), Harrad (Goulding 46), Bennett, Penn, Taylor (Duffy 67), Jombati, Zebroski
Subs: (not used) Lowe, Deering, Roberts, D’Ath

Referee: M Naylor
Assistant Referee: B Roberts & I Hussin
Fourth Official: J Hull