Morecambe 3-0 Rochdale

Rochdale lost 3-0 for the second time in a week with Morecambe continuing Dale’s poor run of form.

An early goal from the first corner of the game was followed by a wonder strike from Kevin Ellison.

Andy Fleming sealed the win soon after with a tap in which condemned Keith Hill’s side to defeat.

Hill made two changes to the side that lost to Accrington in midweek. Ian Henderson came in for Andrew Tutte with Bobby Grant, returning from a four game suspension, getting the nod ahead of Ashley Grimes. The returning Joe Thompson made the bench after his loan move yesterday from Tranmere Rovers.

Dale started brighter and went close on when Bobby Grant sent an effort at goal that saw keeper Barry Roche at full stretch.

The hosts, who have only lost four at home all season, took the lead on nine minutes. A right sided corner was whipped in with central defender Chris McCready on hand to stab home from eight yards out.

The goal sparked Dale into life but they just couldn’t get the work in the final third right.

Gornell had a glorious chance but Roche blocked with his feet after the striker had bundled his way through the defence.

Former Dale loanee Jack Redshaw went agonisingly close after Lewis Alasandra’s cross but the diminutive striker couldn’t stretch enough to head home when unmarked.

Morecambe’s second was a stunning strike that was worthy of winning any football match. Two defensive headers from the Dale backline weren’t quite good enough with the ball dropping out to substitute Kevin Ellison. The veteran striker, who has been a thorn in Dale sides in the past, hit a wonderful volley from 35 yards which whistled past Lillis and into the top corner.

The goal virtually ended the game as a contest with the Dale heads dropping as confidence drained away.

Three minutes later and the game was over with a third Morecambe goal. Full back Will Haining surged down the right wing and crossed for Andy Fleming who had the easy task of rolling the ball home from inside the area with Lillis a spectator.

Hill made changes with Grimes, McIntyre and Thompson entering the action but in all fairness Dale never really troubled The Shrimps.

The gap between them and the bottom remains six points and with games coming up against teams in and around the bottom reaches of League 2, Hill will be hopeful of securing enough points to maintain Rochdale’s league status and start again with the squad over the summer months.

Keith Hill said: “The harsh reality has kicked in today of the task ahead. It’s like a new relationship, when you get down to the nitty gritty, you reveal your true character.

"We were beaten today by a hard working, well organised, effective Morecambe team. On paper, you might think, we have more talented players than them but for me there lies the issue. It’s a team game.

"The harsh reality is that over the last season and a half, the club has lost 43 games and we have to change that DNA. We have almost got to give the club a football transfusion and we have 11 games to do it.
"I didn’t quite realise the enormity of the task and the challenges ahead.

"That performance today sums up the last 20 months that the fans have had to endure.”

Attendance: 1870 (202 Rochdale fans)

Rochdale: Lillis, Bennett, Edwards, Rose (McIntyre 66), Kennedy, Cansdell-Sherriff, Barry-Murphy (Thompson 66), Gornell (Grimes 74), Jones, Henderson, Grant
Subs: (not used) Collis, Rafferty, Donnelly, Haworth

Morecambe: Roche, Haining, Wright, Alessandra, Williams, McCready (Doyle 90), Drummond, Fleming (Burrow 77), Holroyd (Ellison 55), Redshaw
Subs: (not used) Arestidou, Threlfall, Parkinson,Mwasile

Referee: Mr C Boyeson
Assistant Referees: Mr B Khatib & Mr I Dudley
Fourth Official: Mr M Dicicco