Rochdale 3 - 2 Wycombe

Rochdale v Wycombe

Rochdale moved up to fifth in League Two after notching their fourth straight win in an entertaining game against Wycombe.

Dale raced into a 3-0 lead thanks to three wonderful strikes from Scott Hogan, Joe Bunney and Michael Rose but were pegged back by resilient Wycombe with goals either side of half time.

Hill’s men held on for a deserved three points.

Keith Hill made two changes to his side, with George Donnelly suspended Joe Bunney was given his first start of the season whilst Matty Done was also given the nod ahead of Peter Vincenti.

Still unbeaten at Spotland, Dale were full of confidence and scored with their first real attack. Michael Rose’s laid a sweet pass to Hogan, who turned his marker inside the area before firing into the top corner.

Soon afterwards and it was 2-0 through Joe Bunney. Matty Done’s tenacious play to win the ball back started a Dale counter attack with four blue Dale shirts against two yellow. Done fed Bunney to the left and his first time drive nestled into the bottom corner.

Rose made it three just five minutes later with a wonderful shot that gave Ingram no chance in the Wycombe goal. A short corner routine fed Rose who from 20 yards, curled into the top corner.

With Dale cruising, it only seemed a matter of time before they scored more but Ingram was in inspired form.

Hogan was denied and then Rose by the agility of the visiting stopper.

Wycombe were lucky to keep 11 players on the field when Bunney was racing away from Hause and the full back pulled the Dale man back, referee Webb decided a yellow card was sufficient punishment.

As the half wore on, Wycombe started to get a grip of their game and almost scored through Billy Knott. Sam Wood’s perfectly weighted through ball to Knott saw the midfielder clip the ball over an on rushing Lillis but wide.

That was a warning shot that wasn’t heeded by Hill’s men as they allowed the visitors back into the game.

Henderson’s poor play gave the ball away too cheaply to McClure who finished well from outside the area.

Dale were rattled and on the stroke of half time were lucky not to concede another when McClure found the ball at his feet 10 yards out but he fired over.

The second half started much like the first with Dale pressing.

Matty Done was denied by a world class save by Ingram, the Dale man’s cushioned volley was destined for the top corner until the keeper got across to keep the ball out.

Moments later and Rose was left frustrated by Ingram from a free kick.

That save was the catalyst for Wycombe to press forward and they reduced the deficit to one goal just short of the hour mark. Kuffour picked up a long cross and from a very narrow angle, clipped the ball over Lillis and inside the far post to make it 3-2.

Jack O’Connell almost scored a spectacular volley late on but his effort was deflected wide.

At the other end a mêlée inside the Dale area had the home fans biting their nails but Lillis kept out two efforts before an assistant's flag calmed the nerves.

Dale saw out the remainder of the game with no real scares and maintained their unbeaten home record.

Rochdale: Lillis, Bennett, Lancashire (c), O’Connell , Rose, Henderson, Dicker, Lund, Done (Cummins 80), Hogan, Bunney (Vincenti 61)
Subs: (not used) Thomson, Rafferty, Camps, Eastham, Hery

Wycombe: Ingram, McCoy, Johnson, Doherty, Hause (Pitman 46), Kretzsehmar (Bloomfield 46), Lewis (c), Knott (Stewart 87), Wood, Kuffour, McClure
Subs: (Not used) Dunne, Spring, Horlock, Arnold

Referee: Mr D Webb
Assistant Referees: Mr M Dwyer & Mr P Marsden
Fourth Official: Mr A Clayton