Off the mark in
WHILE the Papa John’s Trophy may not be the most prestigious prize in the football calendar it provides an early season opportunity for managers to assess members of their squad, who have yet to feature in the League.
Consequently, Tuesday night’s Group D tie against Liverpool Under 21s allowed Rochdale manager Robbie Stockdale to cast his eye over debutant Liam Kelly. And, with George Broadbent and Aidy White making only their second appearance having been sidelined with Covid, it proved a valuable exercise.
All three performed well with Kelly in particular catching the eye as he marshalled the midfield and opened the scoring with a blistering drive to settle Rochdale nerves and allow them to take control of the game.
The hosts, though, didn’t have it all their own way as the Liverpool youngsters started brightly, moving the ball crisply with skill and pace.
Rochdale’s goalkeeper Joel Coleman was soon into action turning over a fierce drive from Tyler Morton. This was followed by another long-range effort, Matteo Ritaccio inches wide.
The home team were under the cosh and struggling to find any rhythm or cohesion.
They should have been punished when Jack Bearne executed a neat turn in the box only to see his shot sail over the bar.
Liverpool continued to press and Coleman was at his best as he brilliantly saved from Max Woltman, the striker sent clear by Luke Chambers incisive pass.
On the half-hour mark Rochdale at last threatened, Kelly’s stinging drive turned over by keeper Harvey Davies.
The visitors failed to heed the warning and three minutes later when White’s searching cross caused disarray in the box Kelly was on hand to fire home an unstoppable pile-driver.
This seemed to take the wind out of Liverpool’s sails and Rochdale might have doubled their lead just before the break, Max Taylor’s header striking the post.
And, any thoughts of a comeback were dispelled five minutes into the second half when referee Ben Toner pointed to the spot after Chambers felled Corey O’keeffe. It looked harsh but O’keefe stepped up to slot the ball in the bottom righthand corner to double the lead.
With the young visitors visibly wilting Rochdale made the most of the space offered them to dominate the remainder of the game.
Chances came thick and fast, Conor Grant scorning a good opportunity before O’keeffe surged into the box and blasted the ball past a helpless Davies.
Six minutes later, Josh Andrews followed his example as he too smashed home a ferocious shot.
There was still time for substitute Ethan Brierley to impress as he shot inches wide from distance. The final action of the match saw him denied by the upright as he unleashed another wellstruck effort.
ROCHDALE:
Joel Coleman; Corey O’keeffe (Jimmy Keohane, 74), Aidy White (Jeriel Dorsett, 70), Jimmy Mcnulty, Max Taylor, Conor Grant, George Broadbent, Josh Andrews, Danny Cashman, Liam Kelly (Ethan Brierley, 60), Joe Dunne. Substitutes not used: Brad Wade, Aaron Morley, Jake Beesley, Alex Newby.
Harvey Davies; Elijah Dixon-benner, Tom Clayton, Matteo Ritaccio (Luca Stephenson, 68), Jack Bearne, Fidel O’rourke (Mateusz Musialowski, 15), Sean Wilson, Tyler
LIVERPOOL: