Rochdale 3 - 0 Hartlepool

Rochdale started the new season with an emphatic win over Hartlepool United at Spotland. A debut goal by Scott Hogan was followed by a George Donnelly penalty and a fine Ian Henderson finish to seal an opening day win for Keith Hill’s new look side.

The Dale boss gave debuts to five of his 10 new signings with central defensive pairing Ashley Eastham and Olly Lancashire given first starts along with Peter Vincenti, Matty Lund and Scott Hogan.

Josh Lillis had to be alert to keep the scoreline at 0-0 after just eight minutes when Franks was denied by an outstretched foot from the stopper.

Minutes later and Monkhouse will feel he should have done better with a diving header he sent wide.

Those missed opportunities were to prove costly for Hartlepool as Scott Hogan's delightful solo effort gave Dale the lead. Picking up just outside the area, Hogan, a summer recruit from Hyde after being released by Dale at 18, beat three men before slotting the ball around Flinders for his first league goal.

That goal gave Dale belief and they went in search of more goals.

Rose saw a 20 yard free-kick whistle just over.

Henderson opted for placement when he was picked out by Rafferty; the chance was blocked.

Vincenti almost got a debut goal when he stretched to reach a ball into the area from Rose’s free-kick but the man from Jersey poked over from inside the six yard box.

The start of the second half was a mirror of the first, with the visitors having the early chance to score.

Compton’s low left wing cross was just in front of Monkhouse and Sweeney who were sliding in.

Henderson’s free-kick caused mayhem inside the Hartlepool area but Eastham could only divert the ball into the hands of Flinders.

Hill’s side doubled their lead five minutes into the second half through Donnelly’s penalty.

Lund’s good work ended with Christian Burgess upending the former Stoke man inside the area with referee Bull having no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Donnelly stepped up to rifle home, sending Flinders the wrong way.

Henderson’s dipping shot from 18 yards went just over.

Donnelly fired across the face of goal after a defence splitting pass by Lund.

The scoring was completed just shy of the hour mark when Hogan provided the perfect pass for Henderson. The striker sent a perfectly weighted ball inside the last defender for Henderson to race onto and clip over the onrushing Flinders for 3-0.

There were chances at both ends towards the end of the game, Donnelly and Lund firing off target for the home side whilst Poole and Baldwin missed good chances for Hartlepool.

A great start for Dale and with Doncaster Rovers up next in the League Cup, Hill’s men will go into the game with nothing to fear.

Attendance: 3177

Rochdale: Lillis, Rafferty, Lancashire, Eastham, Rose, Henderson (Done 76), Cavanagh (c), Lund, Vincenti, Hogan, Donnelly
Subs: (not used) Thomson, Tutte, Hery, O’Connell, Allen, Bunney

Hartlepool: Flinders, Austin, Collins, Baldwin, Franks, Monkhouse (Howard 70), Compton, Sweeney (c) (Poole 70), Hartley, Burgess, Walker (James 56)
Subs: (Not used) Walton, Rafferty, Richards, Rodney

Referee: Mr M Bull
Assistant Referees: Mr G Stretton & Mr R Wooton
Fourth Official: Mr N Gibbons