Dale open home programme with worthy Iron point
ROCHDALE’S home campaign began with a worthy point against a decent Scunthorpe side sure to challenging for a top six finish come the end of the season.
In these formative days of the campaign neither side has yet to build up to their best – but both teams offered occasional glimpses of their capabilities.
Dale’s service from the backline to the midfield and attack disappointed Keith Hill, while Iron boss Graham Alexander felt his side only really got going once they had conceded the opening goal to the home side in the 55th minute.
They responded with a strike of their own soon after and a point apiece was a fair reflection of the contest.
Keith Keane missed the midweek Carabao Cup win at Mansfield due to suspension and while eligible for the weekend’s game there was no return to the matchday squad for him.
He joined the injured Joe Bunney, Harrison McGahey and Brendan Moore on the sidelines.
Jamie Allen was back, having also missed the cup game, and he replaced Jordan Williams in as the only change in Keith Hill’s starting XI.
There was no shortage of familiar faces in the opposition camp, with Rory McArdle and Matt Gilks lining up against their former club, while Nathan Stanton is now part of Alexander’s backroom team.
The home side made the early running with Joe Rafferty’s clipped delivery into the penalty spot volleyed over by Ian Henderon. The best chance of the opening ten minute fell to the visitors, however, when Josh Morris latched onto a poor attempt from Reece Brown to nod the ball back to Josh Lillis, the Scunthorpe man’s shot diverted into the side netting by the Dale goalkeeper.
Kevin Van Veen’s shot from distance bounced awkwardly in front of Lillis, who gathered confidently and the keeper was worked again when a back pass from Allen from the halfway line looked too short of legs, presenting an opportunity for Paddy Madden. Fortunately, Lillis read the danger early and raced out of his area, winning the crucial challenge for the ball.
Connor Townsend wasted an opening when he met Neal Bishop’s cross unchallenged but screwed his headed attempt horribly off target.
Callum Camps had an edge of the area effort charged down while there was relief at the other end with Funso Ojo’s 35-yarder flew over Lillis and a yard over the crossbar.
A weaving run from Camps towards the area in first half stoppage time ended with him slipping a pass to the onrushing Brown, whose firm drive was blocked by the Iron defence and the teams went in at the break all square.
Steven Davies was brought on for the second half with Allen making way – a direct consequence of the poor distribution from the backline, according to Hill.
Done’s scuffed effort provided Gilks with his first save of any note on the day as Dale started the second period with much more purpose.
Ollie Rathbone’s corner in the 54th minute was scrambled as far as Canavan, who poked the ball goalward saw his effort scrambled onto the crossbar by Gilks.
And from the following corner, again taken by Rathbone, Rochdale had the lead. The delivery towards the apex of the six-yard area was met by Henderson and his flick towards the back post was converted by that man Davies.
Gilks was worked again in the 59th minute when Davies sent a vicious, curling 25-yard effort goalward and the keeper flew into action to push it over the top.
It was another substitute who levelled the game in the 65th minute. Hakeeb Adelakun slipped a pass into the area which missed his intended target but was allowed to run through for Duane Holmes, who slid the ball beneath Lillis.
Adelakun’s run at goal ended with a low drive kept out by Lillis while Canavan’s header from a late corner looped too high to trouble Gilks.
Davies was narrowly off target with a low free kick in time added on. Both teams have more to offer than we witnessed on Saturday, but this one would qualify as point gained rather than two dropped.
Lillis, Brown, McNulty, Canavan, Ntlhe, Rafferty, Allen (Davies, 46), Camps, Rathbone (Andrew, 76), Henderson, Done (Cannon, 74). Subs not used: Andrew, Williams, Inman, Collis, Kitching Gilks, Wallace, Townsend, Sutton, McArdle, Bishop, Ojo, Morris (Holmes, 60), Adelakun, Van Veen (Hopper, 60), Madden. Subs not used: Watson, Mantom, Redmond, Burgess, Wootton R Joyce 3,218