Crawley Town 0 - 4 Rochdale

Crawley Town 0 - 4 Rochdale

Peter Vincenti scored a brace Rochdale thrashed Crawley Town at Broadfield Stadium. Matt Done continued his goal scoring streak with a superb finish from the edge of the area early in the first half. Done then set up Vincenti for both his goals, firstly coolly tucking the ball home before heading a right wing cross beyond Jensen. Calvin Andrew came off the bench to score his second in as many games as Rochdale scored four goals in consecutive league away games for the first time in their history.

Keith Hill made just one change to the side that beat Crewe in midweek, Ian Henderson returning to captain the side, Shamir Fenelon dropping to the bench. That meant that youth team product Scott Tanser kept his left back place at the expense of Tom Kennedy.

The first half was fairly even with both sides creating chances.

Henderson tried a cushioned volley very similar to the goal he scored against Leeds in the FA Cup last season but couldn’t hit the target this time around.

Crawley’s biggest threat came via the aerial bombardment of Matt Harrold with Crawley looking to find the big striker with every attack. A deep ball from Dickson saw Conrad Logan in no man’s land but Harrold couldn’t direct his header on target and seconds later he would be made to pay.

A throw in on the right by Joe Rafferty picked out Done who turned and from the corner of the area, unleashed an unstoppable shot that nestled into the top corner for his fifth goal of the season.

Crawley responded well to going behind but couldn’t breach a Dale backline that has looked watertight since the return of Jack O’Connell on loan.

Logan had to be at his athletic best to tip an Izale McLeod header onto the crossbar and from the corner defender Sonny Bradley should have done much better when he blazed over from six yards out.

The second half was controlled by Rochdale as they started to stamp their authority on the game.

Henderson forced Jensen into a smart save before Dale doubled their advantage.

Done’s pace caught out Oyebanjo with the striker being unselfish in the area by picking out Vincenti who slid the ball into the bottom corner for his second of the season.

Dale looked like extending their lead with every attack.

Done was denied another with a superb low save by Jensen, Calvin Andrew unable to reached the loose ball from the rebound.

Vincenti did extend the lead on 66 minutes. Done found space on the right to cross for Vincenti to head in Dale’s third.

Jjust 10 minutes later it was four; Joe Rafferty crossing for substitute Andrew to head home despite the best efforts of Jensen in the Crawley goal.

The Crawley keeper was certainly worthy of his man-of-the-match award as he kept out Rhys Bennett late on with another good save.

Rochdale are brimming with confidence and settling into life back in League One well but with a game at Sheffield United next week, the Dale boss will have to try and keep his players focused going into what will be a very tough game.

Attendance: 2534 (259 from Rochdale)

Rochdale: C Logan, Rafferty, Eastham, O’Connell, Tanser, Allen, Hery (Andrew 56), Vincenti (Bennett 75), Done (Fenelon 84), Dawson, Henderson (c)
Subs: (not used) Diba, Lancashire, Kennedy, Bunney

Crawley Town: Jensen, Oyebanjo, Dickson, Leacock (c), Bradley, Young (Banya 63), O’Connor (Rose 40), Smith, Henderson, McLeod, Harrold (Tomlin 57)
Subs: (not used) Ashdown, Bawling,Richeford, Isaacs

Referee: Mr G Scott
Assistant Referees: Mr A Aylott & Mr T Ramsey
Fourth Official: Mr E Kaye